4.1.1. Air Quality

The actions associated with each alternative may affect future air quality within the region (“region” includes the Planning Area [Map 1] and federal Class I areas within 100 miles). Adverse impacts to air quality are those that increase emissions (air pollutants, hazardous air pollutants [HAPs], and sulfur and nitrogen compounds) that affect visibility, air pollutant concentrations, and atmospheric deposition. Beneficial impacts are those that decrease emissions, from either control measures or a reduction in activities that generate emissions. Direct impacts result from management that may increase or reduce emissions from a source or resource use. Indirect impacts result from management that affects subsequent activities that may increase or reduce emissions. This section describes the expected qualitative impacts of each alternative on air quality in terms of short-term and long-term impacts.