Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; New Mexico, Visibility

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision satisfies the New Source Review (NSR) and monitoring plan requirements for visibility, otherwise known as the “Phase I, Part I Visibility SIP.;” In addition, this revision includes the implementation control strategies, integral vistas protection, and long term strategies, otherwise known as the “Phase I, Part II Visibility SIP.” Lastly, EPA is proposing to remove the SIP disapprovals associated with Phase I, Parts I and II, and the resultant Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs).

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before February 27, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Comments may also be submitted electronically or through hand delivery/courier by following the detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES section of the direct final rule located in the rules section of this Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joe Kordzi, Air Planning Section (6PD-L), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-7186; fax number 214-665-7263; e-mail address kordzi.joe@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In the final rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action rule, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule 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.

For additional information, see the direct final rule which is located in the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register.