Protection means ensuring both the variation in air, water, and soil conditions across a bioregion and the variation in effects of different substances emitted. All discharges, no matter where they are located in a region, will be equally affected by the criteria. Ensuring protection also means that governments will not transfer its pollution problems onto other jurisdictions or bioregions, nor should governments relax standards in order to attract industry. Criteria must ensure acceptable ambient environmental conditions all across states and bioregions.