Air Quality Redesignation for the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards; New York State, 27962-27964 [06-4517]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 93 / Monday, May 15, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
for restricted reporting. Reports will be
completed utilizing the offense code
from the 6Z series. An entry will be
made in the journal when the evidence
kit or property (clothing, bedding, etc.)
is received. The journal entry will be
listed using non-identifying
information, such as an anonymous
identifier. An entry will not be made in
the blotter. Restricted reporting
incidents are not reportable as Serious
Incident Reports. Property and the
evidence kit will be stored for one year
and then scheduled/suspensed for
destruction, unless earlier released to
investigative authorities in accordance
with the victim’s decision to pursue
unrestricted reporting. Thirty days prior
to destruction of the property, a letter
will be sent to the SARC by the Provost
Marshal, advising the SARC that the
property will be destroyed in thirty
days, unless law enforcement personnel
are notified by the SARC that the victim
has elected unrestricted reporting.
Clothing, the evidence kit, or other
personal effects may be released to the
SARC for return to the victim. The
information report will be updated
when the evidence is destroyed, or
released to investigative authorities.
(d) In the event that information about
a sexual assault that was made under
restricted reporting is disclosed to the
commander from a source independent
of the restricted reporting avenues or to
law enforcement from other sources, but
from a source other than the SARC,
HCP, chaplain, or Provost Marshal, the
commander may report the matter to
law enforcement and law enforcement
remains authorized to initiate its own
independent investigation of the matter
presented. Additionally, a victim’s
disclosure of his/her sexual assault to
persons outside the protective sphere of
the persons covered by the restricted
reporting policy may result in an
investigation of the allegations.
[FR Doc. 06–4511 Filed 5–12–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–08–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 81
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[Docket No. EPA–R02–OAR–2005–NY–0001;
FRL–8169–9]
Air Quality Redesignation for the 8Hour Ozone National Ambient Air
Quality Standards; New York State
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection
Agency is redesignating the Syracuse
metropolitan area from unclassifiable to
attainment for the 8-hour ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS). The counties comprising this
area are Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga
and Oswego in the State of New York.
This redesignation to attainment is
appropriate because the State of New
York requested redesignation and the
Syracuse area has attained the ozone
health standard based on the most
recent data available.
DATES: Effective Date: This rule will
become effective on June 14, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Kelly at 212–637–4249 or by email at kelly.bob@epa.gov.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket
Identification No. EPA–R02–OAR–
2005–NY–0001. All documents in the
docket are listed on the https://
www.regulations.gov Web site. Although
listed in the index, some information
may not be publicly available, i.e., CBI
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically through https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Environmental Protection Agency,
Region II Office, Air Programs Branch,
290 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York,
New York 10007–1866.
EPA requests that if at all possible,
you contact the contact listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to
schedule your inspection. The Regional
Office’s official hours of business are
Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30
excluding legal holidays.
In addition, copies of the state
submittals are available at the following
addresses for inspection during normal
business hours:
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, Division
of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, 2nd
Floor, Albany, New York 12233.
Environmental Protection Agency, Air
and Radiation Docket and Information
Center, Air Docket, Room B–108, 1301
Constitution Avenue, (Mail Code 6102T)
NW., Washington DC 20460.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document whenever
‘‘we,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean EPA.
This section provides additional
information by addressing the following
questions:
I. What Action Is EPA Taking?
II. What Is the Background for This Action?
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III. What Are the Statutory and Regulatory
Requirements for Designations and
Redesignations?
IV. What Is EPA’s Response to Comments on
the Redesignation?
V. What Air Quality Information Shows That
the Syracuse Area Attains the Ozone
Standard?
VI. Conclusion
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What Action Is EPA Taking?
Consistent with the applicable
requirements in section 107(d)(3) of the
Clean Air Act and the regulatory
requirements in 40 CFR part 50,
appendix I and based on the 8-hour
ozone air quality data for the 2003
through 2005 time period, we are
redesignating the Syracuse area, which
is comprised of Onondaga, Madison,
Cayuga, and Oswego Counties in New
York from unclassifiable to attainment
for the 8-hour ozone standard. The basis
for this action is described in more
detail below and in the July 7, 2005
proposed rule referenced below.
II. What Is the Background for This
Action?
The EPA published a final rule (69 FR
23858; April 30, 2004) promulgating
designations for the 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. That action designated the
four-county Syracuse metropolitan area
as unclassifiable and provided that the
designation was effective on June 15,
2004.
Our initial designation of the
Syracuse area was based on a review of
ozone data from 2001 through 2003. In
that action, we stated that we would
review all available information and
make an attainment or nonattainment
decision after reviewing the 2004 ozone
data.
On December 14, 2004, the New York
State Department of Environmental
Conservation asked EPA to complete its
planned review of 2004’s air quality
data and requested EPA to redesignate
the Syracuse area to attainment of the 8hour ozone standard. On July 7, 2005,
after reviewing the air quality data for
the 3-year period ending 2004, we
published a proposal (70 FR 39215) to
redesignate the Syracuse area from
unclassifiable to attainment. We
received two comments on the
redesignation, which are addressed in
the section ‘‘What is EPA’s Response to
Comments on the Redesignation?’’
III. What Are the Statutory
Requirements for Designations and
Redesignations?
Section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act
sets forth the criteria and process for
designations and redesignations. An
explanation of statutory requirements
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 93 / Monday, May 15, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
for the 8-hour ozone designations that
became effective on June 15, 2004, and
the actions EPA took to meet those
requirements, can be found in the final
rule that established the designations
(69 FR 23858; April 30, 2004). In section
107(d)(3), the Clean Air Act addresses
redesignations and provides that the
Administrator or the Governor of a state
may initiate the redesignation process.
One of the bases for redesignation under
that section is air quality data. To
determine whether an area is attaining
the 8-hour ozone NAAQS, we consider
the most recent 3 consecutive years of
data in accordance with 40 CFR part 50,
appendix I, EPA’s Guideline on Data
Handling Conventions for the 8-Hour
Ozone NAAQS (December 1998). For
the purpose of this final rulemaking, we
reviewed the ozone data from 2002
through 2004 and have examined the
data for 2005 as well.
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IV. What Is EPA’s Response to
Comments on the Redesignation?
EPA received two letters commenting
on the proposed redesignation. One
letter, from the American Lung
Association of New York State, urged
EPA to designate the Syracuse area as
nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone
standard, disagreeing with EPA’s
original designation of unclassifiable for
the area. The American Lung
Association also disagreed with EPA’s
method for determining the attainment
status of the area, and asked EPA to wait
and use data from 2005 before moving
ahead with any redesignation to
attainment.
The original designation of
unclassifiable, was made by EPA on
April 30, 2004 at 69 FR 23858. Any
concerns regarding that action should
have been raised in the context of that
rulemaking action and/or in a challenge
to that final action. EPA has not reopened the issue of the area’s initial
designation in this ruling.
As for the American Lung
Association’s request that EPA use data
from the 2005 ozone season, EPA notes
New York State requested redesignation
based on data from the 2002–2004
ozone seasons and that information
formed the basis for our proposed
approval of the redesignation request.
However, we have examined the air
quality data from 2005 and data from
the 3-year period of 2003–2005 also
indicate that the area is in attainment
with the 8-hour ozone standard.
Therefore, based on data from 2002
through 2004 and 2003 through 2005,
using the method established by EPA for
evaluating the attainment status of
ozone monitors, all of the ozone
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monitors in the Syracuse area are
attaining the ozone standard.
The other letter, from the Onondaga
County Executive, supported EPA’s
proposed redesignation of the Syracuse
area to attainment.
V. What Air Quality Information Shows
That the Syracuse Area Attains the
Ozone Standard?
As we proposed in July 2005, the air
quality data submitted by New York in
support of redesignation indicates that
the Syracuse area was attaining the 8hour ozone standard based on the three
most recent years of data—2002–2004.
More recent information continues to
support redesignation to attainment of
the Syracuse area. On January 25, 2006,
the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation certified
the air quality data for 2005 is complete,
accurate and meeting EPA’s quality
assurance requirements. Based on our
independent review of these data,
which the State submitted to EPA’s
database, we agree with the State’s
assessment.
Consistent with 40 CFR part 50,
appendix I, section 2.3, paragraph (d)(1),
the 8-hour ozone standard is met if the
design value is less than 0.085 parts per
million (ppm). In Appendix I, the
design value is defined as the average
value of the annual fourth highest daily
maximum that occurred over the most
recent three year period. The design
value for the monitors in the Syracuse
area for the three year period 2002–2004
are: East Syracuse 0.079 ppm,
Georgetown 0.077 ppm. In addition the
design value for the most recent three
years of data, 2003 to 2005 are: East
Syracuse 0.074 ppm, Georgetown 0.073
ppm and Fulton 0.082 ppm. Note the
Fulton monitor is new and did not have
the three years of data required by EPA’s
guidance for air quality designations.
Also, a monitor outside the Syracuse
metropolitan area in Oneida County,
which was set up as the downwind peak
ozone monitor for the Syracuse area,
had design values of 0.078 ppm for the
three year period 2002–2004 and 0.072
ppm for the three year period 2003–
2005. These monitored design values
are less than the 0.085 ppm ozone
standard set by EPA. Since the monitors
are attaining the ozone standard using
the most recent data, the eight-hour
ozone NAAQS has been attained in the
Syracuse area and we are redesignating
the area to attainment.
VI. Conclusion
Because the Syracuse area has met all
the requirements for redesignation to
attainment, including meeting the 8hour ozone health standard based on the
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27963
latest data, we are redesignating the
area, comprised of Onondaga, Madison,
Cayuga, and Oswego Counties in New
York, to attainment for the 8-hour ozone
standard.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR
51735, October 4, 1993), this action is
not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ and
therefore is not subject to review by the
Office of Management and Budget. For
this reason, this action is also not
subject to Executive Order 13211,
‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use’’ (66 FR 28355, May
22, 2001). This action merely designates
an area for planning purposes based on
air quality, and does not establish any
new regulations. Accordingly, the
Administrator certifies that this rule
will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The
redesignation is an action which affects
the status of a geographic area but does
not impose any new requirements on
governmental entities or sources.
Therefore because it does not impose
any additional enforceable duty, it does
not contain any unfunded mandate or
significantly or uniquely affect small
governments, as described in the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Pub. L. 104–4).
The Onondaga and Oneida Tribes are
located within the Syracuse area. The
redesignation of the Syracuse area from
unclassifiable to attainment will not
create any new or burdensome
requirements upon the tribes. Therefore,
this redesignation does not have tribal
implications because it will not have a
substantial direct effect on one or more
Indian tribes, on the relationship
between the Federal Government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities between the
Federal Government and Indian tribes,
as specified by Executive Order 13175
(65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This
action also does not have Federalism
implications because it does not have
substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255,
August 10, 1999). This action merely
establishes the attainment status, and
does not alter the relationship or the
distribution of power and
responsibilities established in the CAA.
This rule also is not subject to Executive
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 93 / Monday, May 15, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of the rule in
the Federal Register. A major rule
cannot take effect until 60 days after it
is published in the Federal Register.
This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean
Air Act, petitions for judicial review of
this action must be filed in the United
States Court of Appeals for the
appropriate circuit by July 14, 2006.
Filing a petition for reconsideration by
the Administrator of this final rule does
not affect the finality of this rule for the
purposes of judicial review nor does it
extend the time within which a petition
for judicial review may be filed, and
shall not postpone the effectiveness of
such rule or action. This action may not
Order 13045 ‘‘Protection of Children
from Environmental Health Risks and
Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885, April 23,
1997), because it is not economically
significant.
In reviewing state redesignation
requests, EPA’s role is to approve state
choices, provided that they meet the
criteria of the CAA. In this context, in
the absence of a prior existing
requirement for the State to use
voluntary consensus standards (VCS),
EPA has no authority to disapprove a
redesignation request for failure to use
VCS. It would thus be inconsistent with
applicable law for EPA, when it reviews
a state recommendation, to use VCS in
place of a state request that otherwise
satisfies the provisions of the CAA.
Thus, the requirements of section 12(d)
of the National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C.
272 note) do not apply. This rule does
not impose an information collection
burden under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section
307(b)(2).)
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 81
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, National parks,
Wilderness areas.
Dated: April 28, 2006.
Alan J. Steinberg,
Regional Administrator, Region 2.
Chapter I, title 40 of the Code of
Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
I
PART 81—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 81
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
I 2. In § 81.333, the table entitled ‘‘New
York-Ozone (8-Hour Standard)’’ is
amended by removing footnote \b\ and
revising the entry for Syracuse to read
as follows:
§ 81.333
*
New York.
*
*
*
*
NEW YORK-OZONE (8-HOUR STANDARD)
Designation a
Category/classification
Designation area
Date 1
*
*
Syracuse, NY:
Cayuga County ...........................
Madison County ..........................
Onondaga County .......................
Oswego County ..........................
*
*
June
June
June
June
*
14,
14,
14,
14,
Date 1
Type
*
2006 ...............
2006. ..............
2006. ..............
2006. ..............
*
Type
*
*
*
*
*
*
Attainment.
Attainment.
Attainment.
Attainment.
*
a Includes
Indian Country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
1 This date is June 15, 2004, unless otherwise noted.
Final rule; response to petitions
for reconsideration.
ACTION:
[FR Doc. 06–4517 Filed 5–12–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
49 CFR Part 571
[Docket No. NHTSA–2006–23651]
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RIN 2127–AJ81
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards; Controls, Telltales and
Indicators
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
AGENCY:
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SUMMARY: In a final rule of August 17,
2005, we updated our standard
regulating motor vehicle controls,
telltales and indicators. The standard
specifies requirements for the location,
identification, and illumination of these
items. The rule extended the standard’s
telltale and indicator requirements to
vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg (10,000
pounds) and greater, updated the
standard’s requirements for multifunction controls and multi-task
displays to make the requirements
appropriate for advanced systems, and
reorganized the standard to make it
easier to read. In a document published
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on January 24, 2006, the effective date
and compliance date for requirements
applicable to vehicles under 4,536 kg
(10,000 pounds) GVWR were extended
to September 1, 2006.
In response to the August 17, 2005
final rule, we received four petitions for
reconsideration, from three
organizations. This final rule responds
to those petitions.
DATES: Effective Date: The effective date
of the rule amending 49 CFR 571.101
published at 70 FR 48295, August 17,
2005 was delayed until September 1,
2006 (at 71 FR 3786, January 24, 2006).
The effective date of today’s final rule
is September 1, 2006.
Compliance date: The compliance
date for the extension of the standard’s
telltale and indicator requirements to
E:\FR\FM\15MYR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 93 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27962-27964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4517]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 81
[Docket No. EPA-R02-OAR-2005-NY-0001; FRL-8169-9]
Air Quality Redesignation for the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient
Air Quality Standards; New York State
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is redesignating the
Syracuse metropolitan area from unclassifiable to attainment for the 8-
hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The counties
comprising this area are Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga and Oswego in the
State of New York. This redesignation to attainment is appropriate
because the State of New York requested redesignation and the Syracuse
area has attained the ozone health standard based on the most recent
data available.
DATES: Effective Date: This rule will become effective on June 14,
2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Kelly at 212-637-4249 or by e-
mail at kelly.bob@epa.gov.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket
Identification No. EPA-R02-OAR-2005-NY-0001. All documents in the
docket are listed on the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although
listed in the index, some information may not be publicly available,
i.e., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by
statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not
placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket materials are available either
electronically through https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Environmental Protection Agency, Region II Office, Air Programs
Branch, 290 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866.
EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the contact
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your
inspection. The Regional Office's official hours of business are Monday
through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 excluding legal holidays.
In addition, copies of the state submittals are available at the
following addresses for inspection during normal business hours:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division
of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Albany, New York 12233.
Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation Docket and
Information Center, Air Docket, Room B-108, 1301 Constitution Avenue,
(Mail Code 6102T) NW., Washington DC 20460.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,'' or
``our'' is used, we mean EPA. This section provides additional
information by addressing the following questions:
I. What Action Is EPA Taking?
II. What Is the Background for This Action?
III. What Are the Statutory and Regulatory Requirements for
Designations and Redesignations?
IV. What Is EPA's Response to Comments on the Redesignation?
V. What Air Quality Information Shows That the Syracuse Area Attains
the Ozone Standard?
VI. Conclusion
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What Action Is EPA Taking?
Consistent with the applicable requirements in section 107(d)(3) of
the Clean Air Act and the regulatory requirements in 40 CFR part 50,
appendix I and based on the 8-hour ozone air quality data for the 2003
through 2005 time period, we are redesignating the Syracuse area, which
is comprised of Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties in New
York from unclassifiable to attainment for the 8-hour ozone standard.
The basis for this action is described in more detail below and in the
July 7, 2005 proposed rule referenced below.
II. What Is the Background for This Action?
The EPA published a final rule (69 FR 23858; April 30, 2004)
promulgating designations for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. That action
designated the four-county Syracuse metropolitan area as unclassifiable
and provided that the designation was effective on June 15, 2004.
Our initial designation of the Syracuse area was based on a review
of ozone data from 2001 through 2003. In that action, we stated that we
would review all available information and make an attainment or
nonattainment decision after reviewing the 2004 ozone data.
On December 14, 2004, the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation asked EPA to complete its planned review of
2004's air quality data and requested EPA to redesignate the Syracuse
area to attainment of the 8-hour ozone standard. On July 7, 2005, after
reviewing the air quality data for the 3-year period ending 2004, we
published a proposal (70 FR 39215) to redesignate the Syracuse area
from unclassifiable to attainment. We received two comments on the
redesignation, which are addressed in the section ``What is EPA's
Response to Comments on the Redesignation?''
III. What Are the Statutory Requirements for Designations and
Redesignations?
Section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act sets forth the criteria and
process for designations and redesignations. An explanation of
statutory requirements
[[Page 27963]]
for the 8-hour ozone designations that became effective on June 15,
2004, and the actions EPA took to meet those requirements, can be found
in the final rule that established the designations (69 FR 23858; April
30, 2004). In section 107(d)(3), the Clean Air Act addresses
redesignations and provides that the Administrator or the Governor of a
state may initiate the redesignation process. One of the bases for
redesignation under that section is air quality data. To determine
whether an area is attaining the 8-hour ozone NAAQS, we consider the
most recent 3 consecutive years of data in accordance with 40 CFR part
50, appendix I, EPA's Guideline on Data Handling Conventions for the 8-
Hour Ozone NAAQS (December 1998). For the purpose of this final
rulemaking, we reviewed the ozone data from 2002 through 2004 and have
examined the data for 2005 as well.
IV. What Is EPA's Response to Comments on the Redesignation?
EPA received two letters commenting on the proposed redesignation.
One letter, from the American Lung Association of New York State, urged
EPA to designate the Syracuse area as nonattainment for the 8-hour
ozone standard, disagreeing with EPA's original designation of
unclassifiable for the area. The American Lung Association also
disagreed with EPA's method for determining the attainment status of
the area, and asked EPA to wait and use data from 2005 before moving
ahead with any redesignation to attainment.
The original designation of unclassifiable, was made by EPA on
April 30, 2004 at 69 FR 23858. Any concerns regarding that action
should have been raised in the context of that rulemaking action and/or
in a challenge to that final action. EPA has not re-opened the issue of
the area's initial designation in this ruling.
As for the American Lung Association's request that EPA use data
from the 2005 ozone season, EPA notes New York State requested
redesignation based on data from the 2002-2004 ozone seasons and that
information formed the basis for our proposed approval of the
redesignation request. However, we have examined the air quality data
from 2005 and data from the 3-year period of 2003-2005 also indicate
that the area is in attainment with the 8-hour ozone standard.
Therefore, based on data from 2002 through 2004 and 2003 through 2005,
using the method established by EPA for evaluating the attainment
status of ozone monitors, all of the ozone monitors in the Syracuse
area are attaining the ozone standard.
The other letter, from the Onondaga County Executive, supported
EPA's proposed redesignation of the Syracuse area to attainment.
V. What Air Quality Information Shows That the Syracuse Area Attains
the Ozone Standard?
As we proposed in July 2005, the air quality data submitted by New
York in support of redesignation indicates that the Syracuse area was
attaining the 8-hour ozone standard based on the three most recent
years of data--2002-2004. More recent information continues to support
redesignation to attainment of the Syracuse area. On January 25, 2006,
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation certified
the air quality data for 2005 is complete, accurate and meeting EPA's
quality assurance requirements. Based on our independent review of
these data, which the State submitted to EPA's database, we agree with
the State's assessment.
Consistent with 40 CFR part 50, appendix I, section 2.3, paragraph
(d)(1), the 8-hour ozone standard is met if the design value is less
than 0.085 parts per million (ppm). In Appendix I, the design value is
defined as the average value of the annual fourth highest daily maximum
that occurred over the most recent three year period. The design value
for the monitors in the Syracuse area for the three year period 2002-
2004 are: East Syracuse 0.079 ppm, Georgetown 0.077 ppm. In addition
the design value for the most recent three years of data, 2003 to 2005
are: East Syracuse 0.074 ppm, Georgetown 0.073 ppm and Fulton 0.082
ppm. Note the Fulton monitor is new and did not have the three years of
data required by EPA's guidance for air quality designations. Also, a
monitor outside the Syracuse metropolitan area in Oneida County, which
was set up as the downwind peak ozone monitor for the Syracuse area,
had design values of 0.078 ppm for the three year period 2002-2004 and
0.072 ppm for the three year period 2003-2005. These monitored design
values are less than the 0.085 ppm ozone standard set by EPA. Since the
monitors are attaining the ozone standard using the most recent data,
the eight-hour ozone NAAQS has been attained in the Syracuse area and
we are redesignating the area to attainment.
VI. Conclusion
Because the Syracuse area has met all the requirements for
redesignation to attainment, including meeting the 8-hour ozone health
standard based on the latest data, we are redesignating the area,
comprised of Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties in New
York, to attainment for the 8-hour ozone standard.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this
action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' and therefore is not
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget. For this
reason, this action is also not subject to Executive Order 13211,
``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This action
merely designates an area for planning purposes based on air quality,
and does not establish any new regulations. Accordingly, the
Administrator certifies that this rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The redesignation is
an action which affects the status of a geographic area but does not
impose any new requirements on governmental entities or sources.
Therefore because it does not impose any additional enforceable duty,
it does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely
affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4).
The Onondaga and Oneida Tribes are located within the Syracuse
area. The redesignation of the Syracuse area from unclassifiable to
attainment will not create any new or burdensome requirements upon the
tribes. Therefore, this redesignation does not have tribal implications
because it will not have a substantial direct effect on one or more
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified by
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This action also
does not have Federalism implications because it does not have
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as
specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). This
action merely establishes the attainment status, and does not alter the
relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities
established in the CAA. This rule also is not subject to Executive
[[Page 27964]]
Order 13045 ``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks
and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not
economically significant.
In reviewing state redesignation requests, EPA's role is to approve
state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. In this
context, in the absence of a prior existing requirement for the State
to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS), EPA has no authority to
disapprove a redesignation request for failure to use VCS. It would
thus be inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it reviews a
state recommendation, to use VCS in place of a state request that
otherwise satisfies the provisions of the CAA. Thus, the requirements
of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. This rule does not
impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by July 14, 2006. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule
does not affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial
review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial
review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such
rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings
to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 81
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, National parks,
Wilderness areas.
Dated: April 28, 2006.
Alan J. Steinberg,
Regional Administrator, Region 2.
0
Chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:
PART 81--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 81 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 81.333, the table entitled ``New York-Ozone (8-Hour
Standard)'' is amended by removing footnote
[bs]b[bs] and revising the entry for
Syracuse to read as follows:
Sec. 81.333 New York.
* * * * *
New York-Ozone (8-Hour Standard)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designation \a\ Category/classification
Designation area -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date \1\ Type Date \1\ Type
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Syracuse, NY:
Cayuga County............... June 14, 2006..... Attainment. ..................
Madison County.............. June 14, 2006..... Attainment.
Onondaga County............. June 14, 2006..... Attainment.
Oswego County............... June 14, 2006..... Attainment.
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Includes Indian Country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
\1\ This date is June 15, 2004, unless otherwise noted.
[FR Doc. 06-4517 Filed 5-12-06; 8:45 am]
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