Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Colorado; Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes, Lamar and Steamboat Springs

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is taking direct final action to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Colorado on July 31, 2002, for the purpose of redesignating the Lamar, Colorado and Steamboat Springs, Colorado areas 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 Lamar and Steamboat Springs areas have attained the PM₁₀ national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), requests redesignation to attainment and includes a maintenance plan for each of the areas demonstrating maintenance of the PM₁₀ NAAQS for ten years. EPA is approving these redesignation requests and maintenance plans because Colorado has met the applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended. Upon the effective date of this approval, the Lamar and Steamboat Springs areas will be designated attainment for the PM₁₀ NAAQS. This action is being taken under sections 107, 110, and 175A of the Clean Air Act.

DATES:

Written comments must be received in writing on or before September 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments may be mailed to Richard R. Long, Director, Air and Radiation Program, Mailcode 8P-AR, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466. Comments may also be submitted electronically, or through hand delivery/courier. Please follow the detailed instructions (sections (I)(B)(1)(i) through (iii) of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section) described in the direct final rule which is located in the Rules Section of this Federal Register. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding federal holidays, at the Air and Radiation Program, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466. Copies of the State documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Air Pollution Control Division, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, Colorado 80222-1530.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Libby Faulk, EPA, Region VIII, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Mailcode 8P-AR, Denver, Colorado, 80202, (303) 312-6083, e-mail faulk.libby@epa.gov.

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.