The West, and particularly Idaho, has many areas that have been left in their natural state, part of the state's charm.
Rep. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, says proposed federal air quality standards could change that and force even rural areas into a lot of expense to meet the standards."If these rules are finalized, dust suppression practices such as paving road shoulders and commercial parking areas will have to be implemented," Crapo told a congressional hearing Thursday. "It seems ironic to me that the pristine, unpaved, undeveloped environments in Idaho that attract so many urban dwellers will have to be sacrificed to decrease naturally occurring environmental elements."
A House subcommittee is holding hearings on the scientific basis for proposed revisions to Clean Air Act standards.
A lot of farmers, ranchers and rural communities could be forced into bankruptcy by the cost, Crapo said.