Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plans; Michigan

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to adjust the applicability date for the reinstating the 1-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) in Muskegon County, Michigan and is proposing to determine that the area has attained the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. This proposal is based on 3 consecutive years of complete, quality-assured, ambient air monitoring data for the 1997-1999 ozone seasons that demonstrate that the ozone NAAQS has been attained in the area. On the basis of this determination, EPA is also proposing that certain attainment demonstration requirements, and certain related requirements of part D of subchapter I of the Clean Air Act (CAA), do not apply to the Muskegon area.

EPA is also proposing to approve the State of Michigan's request to redesignate Muskegon County to attainment for the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. Michigan submitted the redesignation request for the Muskegon area on March 9, 1995, and submitted two updates to the request on June 14 and July 5, 2000. As part of this proposal, EPA is also proposing to approve the State's plan for maintaining the 1-hour ozone standard for the next 10 years as a revision to the Michigan State Implementation Plan (SIP). In this proposal and corresponding direct final rule, EPA is also notifying the public that we believe the motor vehicle emissions budgets for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NO_X) in the Muskegon, MI submitted maintenance plan are adequate for conformity purposes and approvable as part of the maintenance plan.

In the final rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's request as a direct final rule without prior proposal because EPA views this action as noncontroversial and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for approving and disapproving portions of the State's request is set forth in the direct final rule. The direct final rule will become effective without further notice unless the Agency receives relevant adverse written comment on this proposed rule within 30 days of this publication. Should we receive adverse comment, we will publish a document informing the public that the direct final rule will not take effect and that we will address adverse comments in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. If we do not receive adverse comments, the direct final rule will take effect on the date stated in that document and EPA will not take further action on this proposed rule. We do not plan to institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this document should do so at this time.

DATES:

EPA must receive written comments by September 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Send written comments to: Carlton T. Nash, Chief, Regulation Development Section, Air Programs Branch (AR-18J), United States Environmental Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John Mooney at (312) 886-6043.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

For additional information see the direct final rule published in the rules section of this Federal Register. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the above address. (Please telephone John Mooney at (312) 886-6043 before visiting the Region 5 Office.)

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 52

• Environmental protection
• Air pollution control
• Incorporation by reference
• Intergovernmental relations
• Hydrocarbons
• Ozone
• Volatile organic compounds

40 CFR Part 81

• Environmental protection
• Air pollution control
• Intergovernmental relations
• Hydrocarbons
• Ozone
• Volatile organic compounds

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671 et seq.