Note that the problem is not nitrogen gas, but nitrous oxides and ammonia, both of which contain nitrogen. Nitrogen gas itself is inert. Moreover, the designat

Note that the problem is not nitrogen gas, but nitrous oxides and ammonia, both of which contain nitrogen. Nitrogen gas itself is inert. Moreover, the designation of protected areas came with money, it wasn't just diligence but also greed that caused this problem. Finally, there already was a plan for managing nitrogen, but it counted things way too optimistically. That is what the court struck down. Notably it was known to the government this model was a problem, but they figured it was easier to punt the problem to a next term rather than solve it. Now that courts are forcing a solution the problem has grown so big it takes drastic measures to fully meet the rules, and there is no wiggle room.