Clean Air Act Promulgation of Extension of Attainment Date for the Portland, Maine Moderate Ozone Nonattainment Area; Maine

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 81

[FRL-5809-6]

Clean Air Act Promulgation of Extension of Attainment Date for

the Portland, Maine Moderate Ozone Nonattainment Area; Maine

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA proposes to extend the attainment date for the Portland,

Maine moderate ozone nonattainment area to November 15, 1997. This

extension is based in part on monitored air quality readings for the

national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone during 1996.

Accordingly, EPA proposes to update the table in 40 CFR part 81

concerning attainment dates in the State of Maine.

In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is

approving the extension request in a direct final rule without prior

proposal because the Agency views this extension as a noncontroversial

action 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 proposed rule, no further

activity is contemplated in relation to this rule. 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adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all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 on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this

action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by May 16, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be mailed to Susan Studlien, Deputy

Director, Office of Ecosystem Protection (mail code CAA), U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, JFK Federal Building,

Boston, MA 02203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard P. Burkhart, U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, JFK Federal Building,

Boston, MA 02203, (617) 565-3578.

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. 7401-7671q.

Dated: April 3, 1997.

John DeVillars,

Regional Administrator, Region I.

[FR Doc. 97-9861 Filed 4-15-97; 8:45 am]

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