Air quality implementation plans; approval and promulgation; various States; air quality planning purposes; designation of areas: Colorado,

[Federal Register: May 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 94)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 26248-26249]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr15my03-23]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 52 and 81

[CO-001-0070b; FRL-7489-3]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plan; Colorado; Designation of Area for Air Quality Planning Purposes, Aspen

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Governor of the State of Colorado on November 9, 2001, for the purpose of redesignating

[[Page 26249]]

the Aspen, Colorado area from nonattainment to attainment for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers (PM10) under the 1987 standards. The Governor's submittal, among other things, documents that the Aspen area has attained the PM10national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), requests redesignation to attainment, and includes a maintenance plan for the area demonstrating maintenance of the PM10NAAQS for 10 years. EPA is proposing to approve this redesignation request and maintenance plan because Colorado has met the applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended. Subsequent to this approval, the Aspen area would be designated attainment for the PM10NAAQS. This action is being taken under sections 107, 110, and 175A of the Clean Air Act. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial SIP revision and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the preamble to the direct final rule. If EPA receives no adverse comments, EPA will not take further action on this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, EPA will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. EPA will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be mailed to Richard R. Long, Director, Air and Radiation Program, Mailcode 8P-AR, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region VIII, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado, 80202. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air and Radiation Program, Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado, 80202. Copies of the State documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Air Quality Control Commission, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, Colorado 80246-1530.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Libby Faulk, EPA, Region VIII, (303) 312-6083.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the Direct Final action of the same title which is located in the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal Register.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Dated: April 18, 2003. Robert E. Roberts, Regional Administrator, Region 8.

[FR Doc. 03-12025 Filed 5-14-03; 8:45 am]

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