Federal Land Managers' Air Quality Related Values Work Group (FLAG)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Federal Land Managers' Air Quality Related Values Work Group

(FLAG)

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of comment period extension.

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SUMMARY: On November 8, 1999 (64 FR 60831) the National Park Service,

in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S.

Department of Agriculture Forest Service, announced the availability

of, and solicited comments on, the draft FLAG Phase I Report. The

purpose of this notice is to announce that FLAG has extended the public

comment period by 30 days (until February 7, 2000).

The Federal Land Managers' Air Quality Related Values Work Group

(FLAG) was formed to develop a more consistent approach for the Federal

Land Managers (FLMs), i.e., National Park Service, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, to

evaluate air pollution effects on their resources. The FLAG effort

focuses on the effects of the air pollutants that could affect the

health and status of resources in areas managed by the three agencies,

primarily such pollutants as ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen

dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrates, and sulfates. In Phase I, FLAG

formed subgroups that concentrated on four issues: (1) Terrestrial

effects of ozone; (2) aquatic and terrestrial effects of wet and dry

pollutant deposition; (3) visibility; and (4) process and policy

issues. The draft report contains issue-specific technical and policy

analyses, recommendations for evaluating air quality related values,

and guidelines for completing and evaluating new source review permit

applications. These recommendations and guidelines are intended for use

by the FLMs, permitting authorities, permit applicants, and other

interested parties. The FLMs conducted a public meeting to discuss the

FLAG report on December 15, 1999. FLAG presentations made at the public

meeting can be downloaded from the FLAG website referenced below.

[[Page 72102]]

DATES: Written comments on the FLAG report must be received by February

7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the draft FLAG Phase I Report can be obtained from

John Bunyak or downloaded from the Intenet at: http://www.aqd.nps.gov/

ard

/flagfree/

Mail comments to: John Bunyak, Air Resources Division, National

Park Service, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado, 80225. Email comments

can be sent to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Bunyak at the above address or by

calling (303) 969-2818.

Dated: December 16, 1999.

Christine Shaver,

Chief, Air Resources Division.

[FR Doc. 99-33356 Filed 12-22-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-70-M