Air quality implementation plans; approval and promulgation; various States: Louisiana,

[Federal Register: December 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 249)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 72971-72972]

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

[DOCID:fr29de99-39]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[LA-26-1-6965b; FRL-6514-7]

Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plan for Louisiana: Transportation Conformity Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the Louisiana State Implementation Plan (SIP) that contains transportation conformity rules. If EPA approves this transportation conformity SIP revision, the State will be able to implement and enforce the Federal transportation conformity requirements at the State level. This proposed action would streamline the conformity process and

[[Page 72972]]

allow direct consultation among agencies at the local levels. The proposed approval is limited to Transportation Conformity. The EPA approved the SIP revision for conformity of general Federal actions on September 13, 1996 (61 FR 48409).

The EPA is proposing to approve this SIP revision under sections 110(k) and 176 of the Clean Air Act. The EPA has given its rationale for the proposed approval and other information in the Final Rules section of this Federal Register.

In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because EPA views this as a noncontroversial revision and anticipates no adverse comment. The EPA has explained its reasons for this approval in the preamble to the direct final rule. If EPA receives no adverse comment, no further action will be taken on this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comment, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and it will not take effect. The EPA will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time.

DATES: We must receive your comments in writing, postmarked by January 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You should send your written comments to Mr. Thomas H. Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PDL) at the address given below. You may inspect copies of the State's SIP revision and other relevant information during normal business hours at the following locations. If you wish to examine these documents, you should make an appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 hours before the visiting day.

Air Planning Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202; Telephone: (214) 665-7214. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality, 7290 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70810; Telephone: (225) 765-0178.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Behnam, P.E., Air Planning Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202; Telephone (214) 665-7247.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you wish to obtain additional information, you should read the Direct Final rule which is located in the Rules section of this Federal Register.

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

Dated: November 22, 1999. Gregg A. Cooke, Regional Administrator, Region 6.

[FR Doc. 99-33449Filed12-28-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P