Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Wisconsin; Milwaukee-Racine Nonattainment Area; Determination of Attainment for the 2006 24-Hour Fine Particle Standard, 24436-24440 [2012-9811]
Download as PDF
24436
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules
discuss the effects of this proposed rule
elsewhere in this preamble.
Taking of Private Property
This proposed rule would not cause a
taking of private property or otherwise
have taking implications under
Executive Order 12630, Governmental
Actions and Interference with
Constitutionally Protected Property
Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This proposed rule meets applicable
standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
Reform, to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce
burden.
Protection of Children
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Executive Order 13045,
Protection of Children from
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks. This proposed rule is not an
economically significant rule and would
not create an environmental risk to
health or risk to safety that might
disproportionately affect children.
This proposed rule does not have
Tribal implications under Executive
Order 13175, Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it does 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.
Energy Effects
This proposed rule is not a
‘‘significant energy action’’ under
Executive Order 13211, Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use.
Technical Standards
This proposed rule does not use
technical standards. Therefore, we did
not consider the use of voluntary
consensus standards.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Department of Homeland
Security Management Directive 023–01
and Commandant Instruction
M16475.lD, which guide the Coast
Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and
have made a preliminary determination
that this action is one of a category of
17:33 Apr 23, 2012
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety, Navigation (water),
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to
amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:
PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON
NAVIGABLE WATERS
1. The authority citation for part 100
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233.
Indian Tribal Governments
VerDate Mar<15>2010
actions which do not individually or
cumulatively have a significant effect on
the human environment. This proposed
rule involves establishing special local
regulations issued in conjunction with a
marine regatta, as described in figure 2–
1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction.
Under figure 2–1, paragraph (34)(h) of
the Instruction, an environmental
analysis checklist and a categorical
exclusion determination are not
required for this proposed rule. We seek
any comments or information that may
lead to the discovery of a significant
environmental impact from this
proposed rule.
Jkt 226001
2. Add a temporary § 100.35T07–0201
to read as follows:
§ 100.35T07–0201 Special Local
Regulations; ODBA Draggin on the
Waccamaw, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,
Bucksport, SC.
(a) Regulated Area. The following
regulated area isestablished as a special
local regulation: All waters of the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
encompassed within an Imaginary line
connecting the following points; starting
at point 1 in position 33°39′11.46″ N
079°05′36.78″ W; thence west to point 2
in position 33°39′12.18″ N
079°05′47.76″ W; thence south to point
3 in position 33°38′39.48″ N
079°05′37.44″ W; thence east to point 4
in position 33°38′42.3″ N 079°05′30.6″
W; thence north back to origin. All
coordinates are North American Datum
1983.
(b) Definition. The term ‘‘designated
representative’’ means Coast Guard
Patrol Commanders, including Coast
Guard coxswains, petty officers, and
other officers operating Coast Guard
vessels, and Federal, state, and local
officers designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port Charleston in the
enforcement of the regulated area.
(c) Regulations.
(1) Persons and vessels desiring to
enter, transit through, anchor in, or
remain within the regulated area may
contact the Captain of the Port
Charleston by telephone at (843) 740–
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
7050, or a designated representative via
VHF radio on channel 16 to request
authorization. If authorization to enter,
transit through, anchor in, or remain
within the regulated area is granted by
the Captain of the Port Charleston or a
designated representative, all persons
and vessels receiving such authorization
must comply with the instructions of
the Captain of the Port Charleston or a
designated representative.
(2) The Coast Guard will provide
notice of the regulated area by Local
Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to
Mariners, and on-scene designated
representatives.
(d) Enforcement Periods. This rule
will be enforced from 11:30 a.m. until
7:30 p.m. daily on June 23, 2012 and
June 24, 2012.
Dated: April 2, 2012.
M.F. White,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
Port Charleston.
[FR Doc. 2012–9647 Filed 4–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R05–OAR–2011–0347; FRL–9662–9]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans;
Wisconsin; Milwaukee-Racine
Nonattainment Area; Determination of
Attainment for the 2006 24-Hour Fine
Particle Standard
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to
determine that the Milwaukee-Racine,
Wisconsin area has attained the 2006
24-hour fine particle (PM2.5) National
Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS). This proposed determination
is based upon quality assured, quality
controlled, and certified ambient air
monitoring data, from the 2008–2010
monitoring period, supplemented by
statistical analysis of these data,
showing that the area has monitored
attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
NAAQS. Data available to date for 2011
are consistent with continued
attainment. On March 7, 2011, the
Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources (WDNR) requested that EPA
approve its request for a determination
that the Milwaukee-Racine area has
attained the standard. If EPA finalizes
this proposed determination, the
requirement for the State of Wisconsin
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24APP1.SGM
24APP1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules
to submit an attainment demonstration,
associated reasonably available control
measures (RACM) to include reasonably
available control technology (RACT), a
reasonable further progress (RFP) plan,
contingency measures, and other
planning State Implementation Plan
(SIP) revisions related to attainment of
the standard shall be suspended for so
long as the area continues to attain the
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before May 24, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R05–
OAR–2011–0347, by one of the
following methods:
1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
2. Email: aburano.douglas@epa.gov.
3. Fax: (312) 408–2279.
4. Mail: Douglas Aburano, Chief,
Attainment Planning and Maintenance
Section, Air Programs Branch (AR–18J),
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago,
Illinois 60604.
5. Hand Delivery: Douglas Aburano,
Chief, Attainment Planning and
Maintenance Section, Air Programs
Branch (AR–18J), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson
Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.
Such deliveries are only accepted
during the Regional Office normal hours
of operation, and special arrangements
should be made for deliveries of boxed
information. The Regional Office official
hours of business are Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding
Federal holidays.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R05–OAR–2011–
3047. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through www.regulations.gov
or email. The www.regulations.gov Web
site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless
you provide it in the body of your
comment. If you send an email
comment directly to EPA without going
through www.regulations.gov your email
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Apr 23, 2012
Jkt 226001
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses. For additional instructions on
submitting comments, go to Section I of
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
of this document.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov
index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, will be publicly
available only in hard copy. Publicly
available docket materials are available
either electronically in
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 5, Air and Radiation Division, 77
West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago,
Illinois 60604. This facility is open from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding Federal holidays. We
recommend that you telephone Gilberto
Alvarez, Environmental Scientist, at
(312) 886–6143 before visiting the
Region 5 office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gilberto Alvarez, Environmental
Scientist, Attainment Planning and
Maintenance Section, Air Programs
Branch (AR–18J), Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
60604, (312) 886–6143,
alvarez.gilberto@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document whenever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
EPA. This supplementary information
section is arranged as follows:
I. What action is EPA taking?
II. What is the background for this action?
III. What is EPA’s analysis of the Relevant Air
Quality Data?
IV. How did EPA address missing data?
V. Proposed Action
VI. What is the effect of this action?
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What action is EPA taking?
EPA is proposing to determine that
the Milwaukee-Racine area has attained
the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. This
proposed determination is based upon
quality-assured, quality controlled, and
certified ambient air monitoring data,
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
24437
from the 2008–2010 monitoring period,
supplemented by an analysis of whether
two sites that were shut down at the end
of 2009 would likely have shown
attainment had they continued
operating. Data in the EPA Air Quality
System database available for 2011 are
consistent with continued attainment.
II. What is the background for this
action?
On October 17, 2006 (71 FR 61144),
EPA retained the 1997 annual PM2.5
NAAQS at 15.0 mg/m3 based on a threeyear average of annual mean PM2.5
concentrations, and promulgated a 24hour standard of 35 mg/m3 based on a
three-year average of the 98th percentile
of 24-hour concentrations. On
November 13, 2009, EPA designated the
Milwaukee-Racine area as
nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour
standard (74 FR 58688). On April 25,
2007 (72 FR 20664), EPA promulgated
its PM2.5 implementation rule, codified
at 40 CFR part 51, subpart Z, in which
the Agency provided guidance for state
and tribal plans to implement the 1997
PM2.5 standards. This rule, at 40 CFR
51.1004(c), specifies some of the
regulatory consequences of a
determination that an area has attained
the PM2.5 standards. While 40 CFR
51.1004(c) was promulgated as part of a
set of regulations addressing PM2.5
NAAQS promulgated in 1997, EPA
believes that the same approach is
warranted with respect to the PM2.5
NAAQS promulgated in 2006.
EPA established the standards based
on significant evidence and numerous
health studies demonstrating that
serious health effects are associated
with exposure to particulate matter. The
process for designating areas following
promulgation of a new or revised
NAAQS is contained in section
107(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
EPA and state air quality agencies
initiated the monitoring process for the
PM2.5 NAAQS in 1999 and began
operating a full set of air quality
monitors by January 2001.
On November 13, 2009, EPA
published its air quality designations
and classifications for the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS based upon air quality
monitoring data from those monitors for
calendar years 2006–2008 (74 FR
58688). Those designations became
effective on December 14, 2009. The
Milwaukee-Racine area was designated
nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS (see 40 CFR part 81). On
March 7, 2011, the WDNR requested
that EPA approve its request for a
determination that the area has attained
the standard, based upon data from the
2008–2010 monitoring period.
E:\FR\FM\24APP1.SGM
24APP1
24438
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules
III. What is EPA’s analysis of the
Relevant Air Quality Data?
Today’s proposed rulemaking assesses
whether the Milwaukee-Racine PM2.5
nonattainment area is attaining the 2006
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, based on the
most recent three years of qualityassured data. The area is defined at 40
CFR 81.350, and comprises Milwaukee,
Racine and Waukesha Counties.
Under EPA regulations at 40 CFR
50.7, 24-hour primary and secondary
PM2.5 standards are met when the 98th
percentile 24-hour concentrations, as
determined in accordance with
appendix N of this part, is less than or
equal to 35 mg/m3.
Milwaukee-Racine Air Quality
EPA has reviewed the ambient air
monitoring data for the MilwaukeeRacine area in accordance with the
provisions of 40 CFR Part 50, appendix
N. All data considered have been
quality-assured, certified, and recorded
in EPA’s Air Quality System database.
This review addresses air quality data
collected in the three-year period from
2008 to 2010, as well as additional data
representing three of four quarters in
2011.
The following table provides the
design values (the metrics calculated in
accordance with 40 CFR part 50,
appendix N, for determining
compliance with the NAAQS) for the
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS for the
Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment
monitors with data for the years 2008–
2010.
TABLE 1—MILWAUKEE-RACINE AREA 24-HOUR PM2.5 98TH PERCENTILE CONCENTRATIONS AND DESIGN VALUES FROM
2008–2010 (IN μG/M3)
24-Hour 98 Percentile FRM PM2.5 concentration
Site name
Site No.
2008
Milw-DNR SERHQ ...............................................................
Waukesha ............................................................................
Milw-16th CHC .....................................................................
Milw-FAA/College Ave. ........................................................
Virginia Street ......................................................................
Wells Street ..........................................................................
550790026
551330027
550790010
550790058
550790043
550790099
2009
27.5
29.9
27.3
26.9
27.4
29.0
2010
39.0
32.0
39.1
33.0
41.7
40.3
31.9
35.9
30.9
35.3
**
**
Resulting
design
value *
33
33
32
31
35
35
* Design Values were developed in accordance with 40 CFR part 50 appendix N; FRM—Federal Reference Method.
** Indicates incomplete data due to monitor shut down.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
IV. How did EPA address missing data?
Appendix N of 40 CFR part 50 sets
forth data handling conventions and
computations necessary for determining
whether areas have met the PM2.5
NAAQS, including requirements for
data completeness. A monitor meets
data completeness requirements when
at least 75 percent of the scheduled
sampling days of each quarter have
valid data. The use of less than
complete data is subject to the approval
of EPA, which may consider factors
such as monitoring site closures/moves,
monitoring diligence, and nearby
concentrations in determining whether
to use such data as set forth at 40 CFR
part 50, appendix N, section 4.1(c).
As part of their annual monitoring
network review and to save resources,
WDNR discontinued two monitoring
sites (Site Numbers 550790043 and
550790099) on December 31, 2009,
resulting in incomplete data for those
two sites for 2010. Data from Milwaukee
area monitors are shown in Table 1.
When Wisconsin requested to shut
down two monitors, four of the six
monitors within the Milwaukee-Racine
area were violating the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS, including the two sites
WDNR requested to shut down. In 2010,
the remaining two violating sites in
Milwaukee had data showing that they
attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS
for the 2008–2010 monitoring period.
However, because the two sites which
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Apr 23, 2012
Jkt 226001
were shut down at the end of 2009 were
also violating, EPA needed to determine
if those two sites would likely have met
the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS if they
had continued operating. The approach
summarized in this section, and further
described in the Technical Support
Document (TSD), may or may not be
appropriate for other areas with less
than complete data. EPA will evaluate
the appropriateness of this analytical
approach for each area with less than
complete data on a case-by-case basis.
The analysis described below is similar
to analyses conducted for other areas,
such as the West Virginia/Kentucky/
Ohio Huntington-Ashland
Nonattainment Area, except that the
analysis presented here is addressing
the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS as opposed to
the annual PM2.5 NAAQS (76 FR 27290).
Monitoring Network
EPA has determined that the 2006
PM2.5 monitoring network for
Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment area
is adequate, even though two monitors
have been shut down. The area
currently has four monitoring locations.
Under 40 CFR part 58, appendix D, a
minimum of three monitors is required.
While the area meets the minimum
requirements, EPA and the State
recognize that more monitors are often
necessary to adequately characterize air
quality. Therefore, EPA has requested
that WDNR re-establish one monitor
(Site Number 550790099). This monitor
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
has been placed back into service as of
January 2012. Nevertheless, EPA
believes that sufficient data are
currently available to determine
whether the Milwaukee-Racine area is
attaining the standard.
Methodology
In situations like those in Milwaukee,
where there are missing or incomplete
data due to monitor shutdown or other
factors, EPA believes that it is often
appropriate to use historical data along
with statistical techniques to impute
missing data, use those imputed data to
estimate the three-year design value that
would likely have occurred if complete
data had been obtained, and thereby
determine if the monitor in question
would likely have met the NAAQS.
The statistical technique in this case
required comparing the two monitoring
sites with missing 2010 data against a
comparison monitor which is in the
general vicinity of the sites with missing
data. The comparison monitor is usually
the highest correlated site based on
historical data. For this reason, the two
sites which were shut down (Site
Numbers 550790043 and 550790099)
were compared with an active
monitoring site (Site Number
550790026). These monitors are located
within 3 miles and 2 miles, respectively,
of the comparison monitor.
A review of historical data for the four
monitors that were violating the 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS in the area shows that the
E:\FR\FM\24APP1.SGM
24APP1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules
98th percentiles from the two
discontinued monitors generally tracked
the other two violating monitors well, in
that all four sites had 98th percentiles
that rose and fell with each other,
especially during the period from 2007
and continuing through 2009. If this
pattern continued into 2010, there is a
strong statistical likelihood, as
discussed below, that the two
discontinued monitors would have had
98th percentile values that would have
been less than those seen in 2009. If
2010 were consistent with 2007 through
2009, the 98th percentile concentrations
for the two missing monitors would be
below the design value, which would
have resulted in the two sites showing
attainment.
As part of the analysis of the missing
data, a set of statistical regression
techniques were used to provide further
information regarding the two
discontinued monitors’ attainment
status. The method used to determine
the design value for the two
discontinued monitors involves
establishing a statistical relationship
between data for those two monitors
(Site Numbers 550790043 and
550790099) and for the monitor which
was best correlated with these monitors
and remained in operation (in this
analysis, Site Number 550790026). A
regression equation was used to
estimate values to fill in for the missing
data from the discontinued monitors.
This analysis provided a ‘‘best estimate’’
design value for the two sites without
2010 data.
The estimated design values were
then analyzed using a bootstrapping
statistical method, intended to assess
the 2010 concentrations that would
have been expected at the sites without
2010 monitoring data had there been
random observed associations between
the shutdown sites and the comparison
site according to the pre-2010 data base.
Bootstrapping involves the use of
regression residuals and repeating the
regression analysis 1,000 times. EPA
accepts a monitor as meeting the
standard when at least 90% of the
bootstrapped design values meet the
standard. After extensive statistical
analysis, the percentage of
bootstrapping results that met the 2006
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS of 35 mg/m3 were
consistently at or above 90%.
Therefore, EPA proposes to conclude
that both discontinued monitors would
have attained the NAAQS, along with
the two monitors which remained in
operation. Data available to date for
2011 are consistent with continued
attainment.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Apr 23, 2012
Jkt 226001
V. Proposed Action
EPA is proposing to determine that
the Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment
area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
NAAQS. This proposed determination
is based on the analysis presented in the
previous section, and because the 2008–
2010 design value at each monitor in the
Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment area
is at or less than the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
NAAQS of 35 mg/m3. This review
addresses air quality data collected in
the three-year period from 2008 to 2010,
as well as additional data representing
three of four quarters in 2011.
Pursuant to section 40 CFR
51.1004(c), applicable to the PM2.5
standards, if EPA finalizes this proposed
determination, it will suspend the
requirements for WDNR to submit for
this area an attainment demonstration
and associated RACM/RACT, RFP plan,
contingency measures, and any other
planning SIPs related to attainment of
the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS for as
long as the area continues to attain the
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
VI. What is the effect of this action?
Pursuant to section 40 CFR
51.1004(c), if EPA finalizes this
proposed determination for the
Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment area,
it would suspend the requirements for
the State to submit an attainment
demonstration and RACM (including
RACT), RFP, contingency measures, and
any other planning SIPs related to
attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
NAAQS, and continue until such time,
if any, that EPA subsequently
determines that the area has violated the
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
Furthermore, as described below, any
such final determination would not be
equivalent to the redesignation of the
area to attainment based on the 2006
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
If this rulemaking is finalized and
EPA subsequently determines, after
notice-and-comment rulemaking in the
Federal Register, that the area has
violated the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
NAAQS, the basis for the suspension of
the specific requirements, set forth at 40
CFR 51.1004(c), would no longer exist
for the pertinent area, and WDNR would
have to address the relevant
requirements for that area. EPA’s
proposed determination, that the air
quality data show attainment of the
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, is not
equivalent to the redesignation of the
area to attainment. This action would
not constitute a redesignation to
attainment under 107(d)(3) of the CAA,
because EPA would not yet have an
approved maintenance plan for the area
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
24439
as required under 175A of the CAA, nor
would it have determined that the area
has met the other requirements for
redesignation. The designation status of
the area would remain nonattainment
for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS until
such time as EPA approves all
remaining requirements and determines
that the area meets the CAA
requirements for redesignation to
attainment.
This action is limited to a
determination that the MilwaukeeRacine area has attained the 2006
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. The 2006 PM2.5
NAAQS, which became effective on
December 18, 2006 (71 FR 61144) are set
forth at 40 CFR 50.13.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This action proposes to make a
determination of attainment based on
air quality, and would, if finalized,
result in the suspension of certain
Federal requirements, and it would not
impose additional requirements beyond
those imposed by state law. For that
reason, this proposed action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget under
Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993);
• Does not impose an information
collection burden under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
• Is certified as not having a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
• 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);
• Does not have Federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999);
• Is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or
safety risks subject to Executive Order
13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
• Is not a significant regulatory action
subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR
28355, May 22, 2001);
• Is not subject to requirements of
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
application of those requirements would
be inconsistent with the CAA; and
• Does not provide EPA with the
discretionary authority to address, as
appropriate, disproportionate human
health or environmental effects, using
E:\FR\FM\24APP1.SGM
24APP1
24440
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules
practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In
addition, this proposed 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 clean NAAQS data determination
for the Milwaukee-Racine, Wisconsin
area does not have tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because
the SIP is not approved to apply in
Indian country located in the state, and
EPA notes that it will not impose
substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Particulate matter,
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: April 9, 2012.
Susan Hedman,
Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. 2012–9811 Filed 4–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R04–OAR–2009–0140(a); FRL–9662–
2]
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans; North
Carolina; Annual Emissions Reporting
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to approve
a portion of a State Implementation Plan
(SIP) revision submitted on January 31,
2008, by the State of North Carolina,
through the North Carolina Division of
Air Quality, to meet the emissions
statements requirement for North
Carolina. EPA is proposing to approve
the addition of Cabarrus, Lincoln,
Rowan, and Union Counties in their
entireties and Davidson Township and
Coddle Creek Township in Iredell
County to the annual emissions
reporting requirement into the North
Carolina SIP. This action is being taken
pursuant to section 110 and section 182
of the Clean Air Act.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before May 24, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID Number, ‘‘EPA–
R04–OAR–2009–0140,’’ by one of the
following methods:
1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Apr 23, 2012
Jkt 226001
2. Email: benjamin.lynorae@epa.gov.
3. Fax: 404–562–9019.
4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2009–
0140,’’ Regulatory Development Section,
Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960.
5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Ms.
Lynorae Benjamin, Chief, Regulatory
Development Section, Air Planning
Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics
Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Regional Office’s normal hours of
operation. The Regional Office’s official
hours of business are Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding
federal holidays.
Please see the direct final rule which is
located in the Rules section of this
Federal Register for detailed
instructions on how to submit
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Sara Waterson of the Regulatory
Development Section, in the Air
Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. The
telephone number is (404) 562–9061.
Ms. Sara Waterson can be reached via
electronic mail at
waterson.sara@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
27, 2008, EPA published a revised
ozone national ambient air quality
standard (NAAQS). See 73 FR 16436.
The current action, however, is being
taken to address requirements under the
1997 ozone NAAQS.
For additional information see the
direct final rule which is published in
the Rules Section of this Federal
Register. In the Final Rules Section of
this Federal Register, EPA is approving
the State’s implementation plan revision
as a direct final rule without prior
proposal because the Agency views this
as a noncontroversial submittal 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 rule, no further activity
is contemplated. 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
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
document. Any parties interested in
commenting on this document should
do so at this time.
Dated: March 4, 2012.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2012–9620 Filed 4–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R04–OAR–2010–0021(b); FRL–9661–
9]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Georgia;
Atlanta; Ozone 2002 Base Year
Emissions Inventory
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to approve
the ozone 2002 base year emissions
inventory portion of the state
implementation plan (SIP) revision
submitted by the State of Georgia on
October 21, 2009. The emissions
inventory is part of the Atlanta, Georgia
(hereafter referred to as ‘‘the Atlanta
Area’’ or ‘‘Area’’), ozone attainment
demonstration that was submitted for
the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient
air quality standards (NAAQS). The
Atlanta Area is comprised of Barrow,
Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton,
Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette,
Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry,
Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Spalding
and Walton Counties in their entireties.
This action is being taken pursuant to
section 110 of the Clean Air Act. In the
Rules Section of this Federal Register,
EPA is approving Georgia’s SIP revision
as a direct final rule without prior
proposal because the Agency views this
as a noncontroversial submittal, and
anticipates no adverse comments.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before May 24, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–
OAR–2010–0021 by one of the following
methods:
1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
2. Email: benjamin.lynorae@epa.gov.
3. Fax: (404) 562–9019.
4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2010–
0021,’’ Regulatory Development Section,
Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24APP1.SGM
24APP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24436-24440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9811]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R05-OAR-2011-0347; FRL-9662-9]
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;
Wisconsin; Milwaukee-Racine Nonattainment Area; Determination of
Attainment for the 2006 24-Hour Fine Particle Standard
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to determine that the Milwaukee-Racine,
Wisconsin area has attained the 2006 24-hour fine particle
(PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This
proposed determination is based upon quality assured, quality
controlled, and certified ambient air monitoring data, from the 2008-
2010 monitoring period, supplemented by statistical analysis of these
data, showing that the area has monitored attainment of the 2006 24-
hour PM2.5 NAAQS. Data available to date for 2011 are
consistent with continued attainment. On March 7, 2011, the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) requested that EPA approve its
request for a determination that the Milwaukee-Racine area has attained
the standard. If EPA finalizes this proposed determination, the
requirement for the State of Wisconsin
[[Page 24437]]
to submit an attainment demonstration, associated reasonably available
control measures (RACM) to include reasonably available control
technology (RACT), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan,
contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plan
(SIP) revisions related to attainment of the standard shall be
suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 24, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R05-
OAR-2011-0347, by one of the following methods:
1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
2. Email: aburano.douglas@epa.gov.
3. Fax: (312) 408-2279.
4. Mail: Douglas Aburano, Chief, Attainment Planning and
Maintenance Section, Air Programs Branch (AR-18J), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.
5. Hand Delivery: Douglas Aburano, Chief, Attainment Planning and
Maintenance Section, Air Programs Branch (AR-18J), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.
Such deliveries are only accepted during the Regional Office normal
hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information. The Regional Office official hours of
business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding
Federal holidays.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R05-OAR-
2011-3047. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment
directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your email
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional
instructions on submitting comments, go to Section I of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 5, Air and Radiation Division, 77 West Jackson
Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604. This facility is open from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
We recommend that you telephone Gilberto Alvarez, Environmental
Scientist, at (312) 886-6143 before visiting the Region 5 office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gilberto Alvarez, Environmental
Scientist, Attainment Planning and Maintenance Section, Air Programs
Branch (AR-18J), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 886-6143,
alvarez.gilberto@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA. This supplementary information
section is arranged as follows:
I. What action is EPA taking?
II. What is the background for this action?
III. What is EPA's analysis of the Relevant Air Quality Data?
IV. How did EPA address missing data?
V. Proposed Action
VI. What is the effect of this action?
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What action is EPA taking?
EPA is proposing to determine that the Milwaukee-Racine area has
attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. This proposed
determination is based upon quality-assured, quality controlled, and
certified ambient air monitoring data, from the 2008-2010 monitoring
period, supplemented by an analysis of whether two sites that were shut
down at the end of 2009 would likely have shown attainment had they
continued operating. Data in the EPA Air Quality System database
available for 2011 are consistent with continued attainment.
II. What is the background for this action?
On October 17, 2006 (71 FR 61144), EPA retained the 1997 annual
PM2.5 NAAQS at 15.0 [mu]g/m\3\ based on a three-year average
of annual mean PM2.5 concentrations, and promulgated a 24-
hour standard of 35 [mu]g/m\3\ based on a three-year average of the
98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations. On November 13, 2009, EPA
designated the Milwaukee-Racine area as nonattainment for the 2006 24-
hour standard (74 FR 58688). On April 25, 2007 (72 FR 20664), EPA
promulgated its PM2.5 implementation rule, codified at 40
CFR part 51, subpart Z, in which the Agency provided guidance for state
and tribal plans to implement the 1997 PM2.5 standards. This
rule, at 40 CFR 51.1004(c), specifies some of the regulatory
consequences of a determination that an area has attained the
PM2.5 standards. While 40 CFR 51.1004(c) was promulgated as
part of a set of regulations addressing PM2.5 NAAQS
promulgated in 1997, EPA believes that the same approach is warranted
with respect to the PM2.5 NAAQS promulgated in 2006.
EPA established the standards based on significant evidence and
numerous health studies demonstrating that serious health effects are
associated with exposure to particulate matter. The process for
designating areas following promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS is
contained in section 107(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA and
state air quality agencies initiated the monitoring process for the
PM2.5 NAAQS in 1999 and began operating a full set of air
quality monitors by January 2001.
On November 13, 2009, EPA published its air quality designations
and classifications for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS based
upon air quality monitoring data from those monitors for calendar years
2006-2008 (74 FR 58688). Those designations became effective on
December 14, 2009. The Milwaukee-Racine area was designated
nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS (see 40 CFR
part 81). On March 7, 2011, the WDNR requested that EPA approve its
request for a determination that the area has attained the standard,
based upon data from the 2008-2010 monitoring period.
[[Page 24438]]
III. What is EPA's analysis of the Relevant Air Quality Data?
Today's proposed rulemaking assesses whether the Milwaukee-Racine
PM2.5 nonattainment area is attaining the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS, based on the most recent three years of
quality-assured data. The area is defined at 40 CFR 81.350, and
comprises Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha Counties.
Under EPA regulations at 40 CFR 50.7, 24-hour primary and secondary
PM2.5 standards are met when the 98th percentile 24-hour
concentrations, as determined in accordance with appendix N of this
part, is less than or equal to 35 [mu]g/m\3\.
Milwaukee-Racine Air Quality
EPA has reviewed the ambient air monitoring data for the Milwaukee-
Racine area in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR Part 50,
appendix N. All data considered have been quality-assured, certified,
and recorded in EPA's Air Quality System database. This review
addresses air quality data collected in the three-year period from 2008
to 2010, as well as additional data representing three of four quarters
in 2011.
The following table provides the design values (the metrics
calculated in accordance with 40 CFR part 50, appendix N, for
determining compliance with the NAAQS) for the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS for the Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment monitors
with data for the years 2008-2010.
Table 1--Milwaukee-Racine Area 24-Hour PM2.5 98th Percentile Concentrations and Design Values From 2008-2010 (in
[mu]g/m\3\)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24-Hour 98 Percentile FRM PM2.5 concentration Resulting
Site name Site No. ------------------------------------------------ design value
2008 2009 2010 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milw-DNR SERHQ.................. 550790026 27.5 39.0 31.9 33
Waukesha........................ 551330027 29.9 32.0 35.9 33
Milw-16th CHC................... 550790010 27.3 39.1 30.9 32
Milw-FAA/College Ave............ 550790058 26.9 33.0 35.3 31
Virginia Street................. 550790043 27.4 41.7 ** 35
Wells Street.................... 550790099 29.0 40.3 ** 35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Design Values were developed in accordance with 40 CFR part 50 appendix N; FRM--Federal Reference Method.
** Indicates incomplete data due to monitor shut down.
IV. How did EPA address missing data?
Appendix N of 40 CFR part 50 sets forth data handling conventions
and computations necessary for determining whether areas have met the
PM2.5 NAAQS, including requirements for data completeness. A
monitor meets data completeness requirements when at least 75 percent
of the scheduled sampling days of each quarter have valid data. The use
of less than complete data is subject to the approval of EPA, which may
consider factors such as monitoring site closures/moves, monitoring
diligence, and nearby concentrations in determining whether to use such
data as set forth at 40 CFR part 50, appendix N, section 4.1(c).
As part of their annual monitoring network review and to save
resources, WDNR discontinued two monitoring sites (Site Numbers
550790043 and 550790099) on December 31, 2009, resulting in incomplete
data for those two sites for 2010. Data from Milwaukee area monitors
are shown in Table 1. When Wisconsin requested to shut down two
monitors, four of the six monitors within the Milwaukee-Racine area
were violating the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, including the
two sites WDNR requested to shut down. In 2010, the remaining two
violating sites in Milwaukee had data showing that they attained the
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS for the 2008-2010 monitoring
period. However, because the two sites which were shut down at the end
of 2009 were also violating, EPA needed to determine if those two sites
would likely have met the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS if they
had continued operating. The approach summarized in this section, and
further described in the Technical Support Document (TSD), may or may
not be appropriate for other areas with less than complete data. EPA
will evaluate the appropriateness of this analytical approach for each
area with less than complete data on a case-by-case basis. The analysis
described below is similar to analyses conducted for other areas, such
as the West Virginia/Kentucky/Ohio Huntington-Ashland Nonattainment
Area, except that the analysis presented here is addressing the 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS as opposed to the annual PM2.5 NAAQS
(76 FR 27290).
Monitoring Network
EPA has determined that the 2006 PM2.5 monitoring
network for Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment area is adequate, even
though two monitors have been shut down. The area currently has four
monitoring locations. Under 40 CFR part 58, appendix D, a minimum of
three monitors is required. While the area meets the minimum
requirements, EPA and the State recognize that more monitors are often
necessary to adequately characterize air quality. Therefore, EPA has
requested that WDNR re-establish one monitor (Site Number 550790099).
This monitor has been placed back into service as of January 2012.
Nevertheless, EPA believes that sufficient data are currently available
to determine whether the Milwaukee-Racine area is attaining the
standard.
Methodology
In situations like those in Milwaukee, where there are missing or
incomplete data due to monitor shutdown or other factors, EPA believes
that it is often appropriate to use historical data along with
statistical techniques to impute missing data, use those imputed data
to estimate the three-year design value that would likely have occurred
if complete data had been obtained, and thereby determine if the
monitor in question would likely have met the NAAQS.
The statistical technique in this case required comparing the two
monitoring sites with missing 2010 data against a comparison monitor
which is in the general vicinity of the sites with missing data. The
comparison monitor is usually the highest correlated site based on
historical data. For this reason, the two sites which were shut down
(Site Numbers 550790043 and 550790099) were compared with an active
monitoring site (Site Number 550790026). These monitors are located
within 3 miles and 2 miles, respectively, of the comparison monitor.
A review of historical data for the four monitors that were
violating the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS in the area shows that the
[[Page 24439]]
98th percentiles from the two discontinued monitors generally tracked
the other two violating monitors well, in that all four sites had 98th
percentiles that rose and fell with each other, especially during the
period from 2007 and continuing through 2009. If this pattern continued
into 2010, there is a strong statistical likelihood, as discussed
below, that the two discontinued monitors would have had 98th
percentile values that would have been less than those seen in 2009. If
2010 were consistent with 2007 through 2009, the 98th percentile
concentrations for the two missing monitors would be below the design
value, which would have resulted in the two sites showing attainment.
As part of the analysis of the missing data, a set of statistical
regression techniques were used to provide further information
regarding the two discontinued monitors' attainment status. The method
used to determine the design value for the two discontinued monitors
involves establishing a statistical relationship between data for those
two monitors (Site Numbers 550790043 and 550790099) and for the monitor
which was best correlated with these monitors and remained in operation
(in this analysis, Site Number 550790026). A regression equation was
used to estimate values to fill in for the missing data from the
discontinued monitors. This analysis provided a ``best estimate''
design value for the two sites without 2010 data.
The estimated design values were then analyzed using a
bootstrapping statistical method, intended to assess the 2010
concentrations that would have been expected at the sites without 2010
monitoring data had there been random observed associations between the
shutdown sites and the comparison site according to the pre-2010 data
base. Bootstrapping involves the use of regression residuals and
repeating the regression analysis 1,000 times. EPA accepts a monitor as
meeting the standard when at least 90% of the bootstrapped design
values meet the standard. After extensive statistical analysis, the
percentage of bootstrapping results that met the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS of 35 [mu]g/m\3\ were consistently at or above
90%.
Therefore, EPA proposes to conclude that both discontinued monitors
would have attained the NAAQS, along with the two monitors which
remained in operation. Data available to date for 2011 are consistent
with continued attainment.
V. Proposed Action
EPA is proposing to determine that the Milwaukee-Racine
nonattainment area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5
NAAQS. This proposed determination is based on the analysis presented
in the previous section, and because the 2008-2010 design value at each
monitor in the Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment area is at or less than
the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS of 35 [mu]g/m\3\. This review
addresses air quality data collected in the three-year period from 2008
to 2010, as well as additional data representing three of four quarters
in 2011.
Pursuant to section 40 CFR 51.1004(c), applicable to the
PM2.5 standards, if EPA finalizes this proposed
determination, it will suspend the requirements for WDNR to submit for
this area an attainment demonstration and associated RACM/RACT, RFP
plan, contingency measures, and any other planning SIPs related to
attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS for as long as
the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
VI. What is the effect of this action?
Pursuant to section 40 CFR 51.1004(c), if EPA finalizes this
proposed determination for the Milwaukee-Racine nonattainment area, it
would suspend the requirements for the State to submit an attainment
demonstration and RACM (including RACT), RFP, contingency measures, and
any other planning SIPs related to attainment of the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS, and continue until such time, if any, that EPA
subsequently determines that the area has violated the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 NAAQS. Furthermore, as described below, any such final
determination would not be equivalent to the redesignation of the area
to attainment based on the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
If this rulemaking is finalized and EPA subsequently determines,
after notice-and-comment rulemaking in the Federal Register, that the
area has violated the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, the basis
for the suspension of the specific requirements, set forth at 40 CFR
51.1004(c), would no longer exist for the pertinent area, and WDNR
would have to address the relevant requirements for that area. EPA's
proposed determination, that the air quality data show attainment of
the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, is not equivalent to the
redesignation of the area to attainment. This action would not
constitute a redesignation to attainment under 107(d)(3) of the CAA,
because EPA would not yet have an approved maintenance plan for the
area as required under 175A of the CAA, nor would it have determined
that the area has met the other requirements for redesignation. The
designation status of the area would remain nonattainment for the 2006
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS until such time as EPA approves all
remaining requirements and determines that the area meets the CAA
requirements for redesignation to attainment.
This action is limited to a determination that the Milwaukee-Racine
area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. The 2006
PM2.5 NAAQS, which became effective on December 18, 2006 (71
FR 61144) are set forth at 40 CFR 50.13.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This action proposes to make a determination of attainment based on
air quality, and would, if finalized, result in the suspension of
certain Federal requirements, and it would not impose additional
requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this
proposed action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
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);
Does not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the CAA; and
Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental
effects, using
[[Page 24440]]
practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order
12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, this proposed 2006
24-hour PM2.5 clean NAAQS data determination for the
Milwaukee-Racine, Wisconsin area does not have tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in
the state, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Particulate
matter, Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: April 9, 2012.
Susan Hedman,
Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. 2012-9811 Filed 4-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P