Guidance for Implementing the 1-Hour Ozone and Pre-Existing PMINF10/INF National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5955-2]

Guidance for Implementing the 1-Hour Ozone and Pre-Existing

PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the EPA has issued guidance for

continuing the implementation of the Clean Air Act requirements for the

1-hour ozone and pre-existing PM10 (particles with an

aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers)

NAAQS following EPA's promulgation of the new 8-hour ozone (62 FR

38856, July 18, 1997) and PM (62 FR 38652, July 18, 1997) NAAQS. The

EPA has issued the guidance to ensure that momentum is maintained by

the States in their current programs while moving toward developing

their plans for implementing the new NAAQS, and it applies to all areas

now subject to the 1-hour ozone standard and the pre-existing

PM10 standard regardless of attainment status. On July 16,

1997 (62 FR 38421, July 18, 1997), President Clinton issued a directive

to EPA Administrator Browner on implementation of the new standards for

ozone and PM. In that directive, the President laid out a plan on how

these new standards, as well as the current 1-hour ozone and pre-

existing PM standards, are to be implemented. The guidance reflects the

Presidential Directive.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the guidance are available from the World Wide Web

site listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions and comments on

the ozone portion of this guidance, contact Ms. Sharon Reinders, U.S.

EPA, MD-15, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone (919) 541-5284;

for specific questions and comments on the PM portion of this guidance,

contact Ms. Robin Dunkins, U.S. EPA, MD-15, Research Triangle Park NC

27711, telephone (919) 541-5335.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this guidance is to set forth

EPA's current views on key issues regarding the ongoing programs

implemented by State, local and tribal air pollution control agencies

to attain the 1-hour ozone and pre-existing PM10 NAAQS.

These issues will be addressed in future rulemakings as appropriate.

The EPA will propose to take a particular action based in whole or in

part on its views of the relevant issues, and the public will have an

opportunity to comment on EPA's interpretations during the rulemakings.

When EPA issues final rules based on its reviews, those views will be

binding on the States, the public, and EPA as a matter of law.

Electronic Availability

A World Wide Web (WWW) site has been developed for overview

information on the NAAQS and the ozone, PM, and regional haze (RH)

implementation process. The Uniform Resource Location (URL) for the

home page of the web site is http://ttnwww.rtpnc.epa.gov/implement. For

assistance, the TTN Helpline is (919) 541-5384. For those persons

without electronic capability, a copy may be obtained from Ms. Tricia

Crabtree, MD-15, Air Quality Strategies and Standards Division, RTP NC

27711, telephone (919) 541-5688).

Dated: February 6, 1998.

Henry C. Thomas,

Acting Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

[FR Doc. 98-3882 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]

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