The Southern Appalachian Mountains are renowned for their scenic beauty, natural resources, and opportunities for abundant recreation. The forests and streams of the area support one of the most diverse collections of plant and animal life in the world.
Tourism contributes significantly to the area's economies.
A decline in air quality now impairs this natural beauty and threatens this diverse environment. Air quality protection in the Southern Appalachian Mountains is a particularly challenging issue. The economies of the southeastern states are thriving and populations are growing, driving increased demand for transportation, energy, and manufactured products. Air pollutants emitted by industries, power plants, and vehicles contribute to the decline in air quality in the Southern Appalachians. Many of the pollutants reaching the mountains are transported by the wind from other parts of the country and from growing urban areas in the Southeast.