Air Plan Approval; Montana; Thompson Falls PM10, 12905-12912 [2022-04759]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 45 / Tuesday, March 8, 2022 / Proposed Rules
the language from the Reference Method
22 requirements in Section 3. EPA has
determined that the addition of Method
22 and these definitions is consistent
with federal regulations. Without these
requirements, it would be difficult to
determine compliance with 401 KAR
63:010 because the previous version of
the rule did not offer a standard method
for determining visible emissions.
EPA has reviewed all changes in the
October 15, 2020, SIP revision regarding
401 KAR 63:010 and has preliminarily
determined that the changes are
consistent with Federal regulations and
do not interfere with attainment and
maintenance of the NAAQS or any other
applicable requirement of the Act. The
changes strengthen the existing fugitive
emission control standards in the
Kentucky SIP. For these reasons, EPA is
proposing to approve the changes to this
rule into the SIP.
III. Incorporation by Reference
In this document, EPA is proposing to
include in a final EPA rule regulatory
text that includes incorporation by
reference. In accordance with
requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, EPA is
proposing to incorporate by reference
Kentucky’s Regulation 401 KAR
63:010—Fugitive Emissions, state
effective on June 30, 2020, which
updates the Commonwealth’s fugitive
emission provisions, with the exception
of the nuisance provisions added to
paragraph 3(4) for the reasons described
in Section II. EPA has made, and will
continue to make, these materials
generally available through
www.regulations.gov and at the EPA
Region 4 office (please contact the
person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
preamble for more information).
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IV. Proposed Action
EPA is proposing to approve the
revision to Regulation 401 KAR
63:010—Fugitive Emissions, which
updates the Commonwealth’s fugitive
emissions rule. EPA is proposing to
approve these changes because they are
consistent with the CAA.
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is
required to approve a SIP submission
that complies with the provisions of the
Act and applicable Federal regulations.
See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,
EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the CAA. This action merely proposes to
approve state law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose
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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 Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
January 21, 2011);
• 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
practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
The SIP is not approved to apply on
any Indian reservation land or in any
other area where EPA or an Indian tribe
has demonstrated that a tribe has
jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian
country, the rule does not have tribal
implications as specified by Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
2000), nor will it impose substantial
direct costs on tribal governments or
preempt tribal law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
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12905
Dated: February 17, 2022.
Daniel Blackman,
Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2022–04111 Filed 3–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
[EPA–R08–OAR–2021–0809; FRL–9579–01–
R8]
Air Plan Approval; Montana;
Thompson Falls PM10 Nonattainment
Area Limited Maintenance Plan and
Redesignation Request
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to fully
approve the Limited Maintenance Plan
(LMP) submitted by the State of
Montana to EPA on November 4, 2021,
for the Thompson Falls Moderate
nonattainment area (NAA) for
particulate matter with an aerodynamic
diameter less than or equal to a nominal
10 micrometers (PM10) and concurrently
redesignate the NAA to attainment for
the 24-hour PM10 National Ambient Air
Quality Standard (NAAQS). In order to
approve the LMP and redesignation,
EPA is proposing to determine that the
Thompson Falls NAA has attained the
1987 24-hour PM10 NAAQS of 150 mg/
m3. This determination is based upon
monitored air quality data for the PM10
NAAQS during the years 2015–2020.
EPA is taking this action pursuant to the
Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before April 7, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
OAR–2021–0809 to the Federal
Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Once submitted, comments cannot be
edited or removed from
www.regulations.gov. The EPA may
publish any comment received to its
public docket. Do not submit
electronically any information you
consider to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
etc.) must be accompanied by a written
comment. The written comment is
considered the official comment and
should include discussion of all points
you wish to make. The EPA will
generally not consider comments or
SUMMARY:
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comment contents located outside of the
primary submission (i.e., on the web,
cloud, or other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, the full
EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on
making effective comments, please visit
https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
commenting-epa-dockets.
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
electronically in www.regulations.gov.
To reduce the risk of COVID–19
transmission, for this action we do not
plan to offer hard copy review of the
docket. Please email or call the person
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section if you need to make
alternative arrangements for access to
the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate
Gregory, Air and Radiation Division,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), Region 8, Mail Code 8P–ARD–
QP, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver,
Colorado 80202–1129, telephone
number: (303) 312–6175, email address:
gregory.kate@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document wherever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
the EPA.
Thompson Falls NAA was classified as
Moderate for the 1987 24-hour PM10
NAAQS, effective January 20, 1994 (58
FR 67334). Within 18 months of this
Moderate designation, by May 18, 1995,
Montana was required to submit to EPA
a Moderate NAA State Implementation
Plan (SIP) for the Thompson Falls NAA
containing, among other requirements,
provisions to assure that reasonably
available control measures (RACM),
including reasonably available control
technologies (RACT) and demonstrated
whether it was practicable to attain the
PM10 NAAQS by December 31, 2000 (57
FR 13498 (April 16, 1992).1
The State of Montana submitted an
initial PM10 SIP to EPA on June 26,
1997, and a subsequent submission on
June 13, 2000. EPA approved both the
June 26, 1997 and the June 13, 2000
p.m.10 SIP submissions for the
Thompson Falls initial control plan on
April 24, 2008 (73 FR 22057). The State
of Montana’s SIP for the Thompson
Falls Moderate NAA included, but was
not limited to, a comprehensive
emissions inventory, RACM
(implemented by November 18, 1997), a
demonstration that attainment of the
PM10 NAAQS would be achieved in
Thompson Falls by December 31, 2000;
Reasonable Further Progress (RFP)
requirements and control measures that
satisfy the contingency measures
requirement of section 172(c)(9) of the
CAA. The EPA fully approved the
Thompson Falls NAA PM10 attainment
plan on January 22, 2004 (69 FR 3011).
I. Background
A. CAA Requirements for Redesignation
of NAAs
Description of the Thompson Falls NAA
The Thompson Falls NAA is in
Sanders County and is on the north side
of the Clark Fork River Valley in
northwestern Montana. The Clark Fork
River has been dammed at the center of
the small town of Thompson Falls to
form the Thompson Falls Reservoir and
the configuration of the nearby
mountains and valley create
temperature inversions in the fall and
winter months. The EPA promulgated
the PM10 NAAQS on July 1, 1987 (52 FR
24634). The Thompson Falls NAA was
originally designated as a Group III area
on July 1, 1987 (52 FR 24634), meaning,
at that time, there was a strong
likelihood the Thompson Falls NAA
would attain the PM10 NAAQS and,
therefore, needed only adjustments to
their preconstruction permit review
program and monitoring network.
However, multiple exceedances of the
1987 24-hour PM10 NAAQS resulted in
nonattainment and subsequently the
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II. Requirements for Redesignation
NAAs can be redesignated to
attainment after the area has measured
air quality data showing it has attained
the NAAQS and when certain planning
requirements are met. Section
107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA, and the General
Preamble to Title I provide the criteria
for redesignation. See 57 FR 13498
(April 16, 1992). These criteria are
further clarified in a policy and
guidance memorandum from John
Calcagni, Director, Air Quality
Management Division, EPA Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards dated
September 4, 1992, ‘‘Procedures for
Processing Requests to Redesignate
Areas to Attainment.’’ 2 The criteria for
redesignation are:
1 see also 57 FR 18070 (April 28, 1992) and 66
FR 55102 (November 1, 2001).
2 The ‘‘Procedures for Processing Requests to
Redesignate Areas to Attainment’’ (Calcagni memo)
outlines the criteria for redesignation (see docket for
memo).
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(1) The Administrator has determined
that the area has attained the applicable
NAAQS;
(2) The Administrator has fully
approved the applicable SIP for the area
under section 110(k) of the CAA;
(3) The state containing the area has
met all requirements applicable to the
area under section 110 and part D of the
CAA;
(4) The Administrator has determined
that the improvement in air quality is
due to permanent and enforceable
reductions in emissions; and
(5) The Administrator has fully
approved a maintenance plan for the
area as meeting the requirements of
section 175A of the CAA.
B. The LMP Option for PM10 NAAs
On August 9, 2001, the EPA issued
guidance on streamlined maintenance
plan provisions for certain moderate
PM10 NAAs seeking redesignation to
attainment (Memo from Lydia Wegman,
Director, Air Quality Standards and
Strategies Division, entitled ‘‘Limited
Maintenance Plan Option for Moderate
PM10 Nonattainment Areas,’’ (hereafter
the LMP Option memo)).3 The LMP
Option memo contains a statistical
demonstration to show that areas
meeting certain air quality criteria will,
with a high degree of probability,
maintain the standard 10 years into the
future. Thus, the EPA has already
provided the maintenance
demonstration for areas meeting the
criteria outlined in the LMP Option
memo. It follows that future year
emission inventories for these areas, and
some of the standard analyses to
determine transportation conformity
with the SIP are no longer necessary.
To qualify for the LMP Option, the
area should have attained the 1987 24hour PM10 NAAQS, based upon the
most recent 5 years of air quality data
at all monitors in the area, and the 24hour design concentration should be at
or below the ‘‘Critical Design Value’’
(CDV). The CDV is a calculated design
concentration that indicates that the
area has a low probability (1 in 10) of
exceeding the NAAQS in the future. For
the purposes of qualifying for the LMP
option, a presumptive CDV of 98 mg/m3
is most often employed, but an area may
elect to use a site-specific CDV should
the average design concentration (ADC)
be above 98 mg/m3, while demonstrating
that the area has a low probability of
exceeding the NAAQS in the future. The
annual PM10 standard was effectively
3 The ‘‘Limited Maintenance Plan Option for
Moderate PM10 Nonattainment Areas’’ outlines the
criteria for development of a PM10 limited
maintenance plan (see docket for memo).
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revoked on December 18, 2006 (71 FR
61143), and as such will not be
discussed as a requirement for
qualifying for the LMP option. In
addition, the area should expect only
limited growth in on-road motor vehicle
PM10 emissions (including fugitive dust)
and should have passed a motor vehicle
regional emissions analysis test. The
LMP Option memo also identifies core
provisions that must be included in the
LMP. These provisions include an
attainment year emissions inventory,
assurance of continued operation of an
EPA-approved air quality monitoring
network, and contingency provisions.
III. Review of Montana’s Submittal
Addressing the Requirements for
Redesignation and Limited
Maintenance Plan
A. Has the Thompson Falls NAA
attained the applicable NAAQS?
States must demonstrate that an area
has attained the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS
through analysis of ambient air quality
data from an ambient air monitoring
network representing peak PM10
concentrations. The data should be
stored in the EPA Air Quality System
(AQS) database. The request for
redesignation of the Thompson Falls
PM10 NAA submitted by the State of
Montana presented data and analyses to
demonstrate that the area attained the
PM10 standard using 2015–2019 data.
During the review process the EPA
identified a single 2017 24-hour PM10
data point that was inadvertently
omitted from the submission, and
therefore this datapoint was included in
the tables and calculations contained in
this action. In addition to reviewing the
2015–2019 data the EPA included 2020
p.m.10 data in this action (as it is
currently the most recent year of
certified data present in AQS) to
confirm that the area is still attaining
the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS. Additionally,
preliminary 2021 data indicates the area
continues to attain.
Today, EPA is proposing to determine
that the Thompson Falls NAA has
attained the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS
based on monitoring data from calendar
years 2015–2020. The 24-hour standard
is attained when the expected number
of days with 24-hour average
concentrations above 150 mg/m3
(averaged over a 3-year period) is less
than or equal to one. See 40 CFR 50.6(a).
A minimum of three complete and
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consecutive years of air quality data are
generally necessary to show attainment
of the standard. See 40 CFR part 50,
appendix K. A complete year of air
quality data, as referred to in 40 CFR
part 50, appendix K, is comprised of all
four calendar quarters with each quarter
containing data from at least 75% of the
scheduled sampling days.
The Thompson Falls NAA has one
State and Local Air Monitoring Station
(SLAMS) PM10 monitor, Thompson
Falls High School (AQS ID 30–089–
0007), operated by the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality
(MDEQ). Table 1 summarizes the PM10
data collected from 2015–2020 for the
Thompson Falls NAA. The EPA deems
the data collected from these monitors
valid, and the data have been submitted
and certified by the MDEQ to be
included in AQS. All years are complete
except for 2016 which has one
incomplete quarter of data. Therefore,
the State performed data substitution for
the missing 2016 data. Methods and
results for the missing 2016 data
substitution can be found in Appendix
E of the State submission in the docket
of this action.
TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF MAXIMUM 24-HOUR PM10 CONCENTRATIONS (μg/m3), DESIGN CONCENTRATIONS (μg/m3), AND
NUMBER OF EXCEEDANCES FOR THOMPSON FALLS 2015–2020
[Based on data from Thompson Falls High School, AQS Identification Number (30–089–0007)]
Year
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Maximum concentration
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The CAA allows for the exclusion of
air quality monitoring data from design
value calculations when there are
exceedances caused by exceptional
events, including for expected number
exceedances for PM10 averaged over a 3year period, that meet the criteria for an
exceptional event identified in the
EPA’s implementing regulations, the
4 The design concentrations are calculated using
three years of data and the ‘‘Table Look-up’’ method
described in the ‘‘PM10 SIP Development
Guideline’’, EPA–450/2–86–001, June 1987.
5 Exceedances in 2017 and 2020 have been
flagged and concurred on as exceptional events.
Additional information on 2017 data can be found
in Appendix A, p. a–1, of the submission by the
state in the docket of this action and additional
information on 2020 data can be found in the
docket for this action, document titled: Montana
2020 p.m.10 Letter.
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Design concentration 4
143
135
210
72
43
148
Exceptional Events Rule at 40 CFR 50.1,
50.14, and 51.930. For the purposes of
this proposed action, on November 23,
2021, the State of Montana submitted
exceptional event demonstrations to
request exclusion of data impacted by
wildfires. The EPA evaluated the State
of Montana’s exceptional event
demonstrations for the flagged values of
the 24-hour PM10 listed in Table 3
below in the Thompson Falls Moderate
NAA, with respect to the requirements
of EPA’s Exceptional Events Rule (40
CFR 50.1, 50.14, and 50.930).
On January 25, 2022, EPA concurred
with the State of Montana’s requests to
exclude event-influenced data listed in
Table 3, finding that the State of
Montana’s demonstration met the
Exceptional Event Rule criteria. As
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135
135
135
135
72
99
Number of exceedances
excluding regionally
concurred exceptional
events 5
0
0
1
0
0
0
such, the event-influenced data have
been removed from the data set used for
regulatory purposes. For this proposed
action, EPA relies on the PM10
concentrations reported at the
Thompson Falls monitoring site which
showed only one exceedance from
2015–2020 when exceptional events are
excluded. Therefore, the expected
number of days with 24-hour average
concentrations above 150 mg/m3
averaged over a 3-year period is less
than one, and as such, the EPA proposes
to determine that the Thompson Falls
NAA has attained the standard for the
24-hour PM10 NAAQS.6
6 Please see section III(F) of this action for further
discussion and description of exceptional events in
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Additionally, the EPA concurred on
the State of Montana’s request to
exclude PM10 data listed in Table 3 in
regulatory decisions. For further
information, refer to the State of
Montana’s Exceptional Event
demonstration packages and the EPA’s
concurrence and analyses located in the
docket for this proposed action.
under section 110 and Part D of the
CAA for an area to be redesignated to
attainment. The EPA interprets this to
mean that the state must meet all
requirements that applied to the area
prior to, and at the time of, the
submission of a complete redesignation
request. The following is a summary of
how Montana meets these requirements.
B. Does the Thompson Falls NAA have
a fully approved SIP under CAA section
110(k)?
To qualify for redesignation, the SIP
for the area must be fully approved
under CAA section 110(k) and must
satisfy all requirements that apply to the
area. Section 189 of the CAA contains
requirements and milestones for all
initial Moderate NAA SIPs including:
(1) Provisions to assure that RACM
(including such reductions in emissions
from existing sources in the area as may
be obtained through the adoption, at a
minimum, of RACT shall be
implemented no later than December
10, 1993; (2) A demonstration
(including air quality modeling) that the
plan will provide for attainment as
expeditiously as practicable by no later
than December 31, 1994, or, where the
state is seeking an extension of the
attainment date under section 188(e), a
demonstration that attainment by
December 31, 1994, is impracticable and
that the plan provides for attainment by
the most expeditious alternative date
practicable (CAA sections 189(a)(1)(A));
(3) Quantitative milestones which are to
be achieved every 3 years and which
demonstrate RFP toward attainment by
December 31, 1994, (CAA sections
172(c)(2) and 189(c)); and (4)
Contingency measures to be
implemented if the area fails to make
RFP or attain by its attainment deadline.
These contingency measures are to take
effect without further action by the state
or the EPA. (CAA section 172(c)(9)).
The EPA fully approved the
Thompson Falls NAA PM10 attainment
plan on January 22, 2004 (69 FR 3011).
The Thompson Falls plan included
RACM, an attainment demonstration,
emissions inventory, quantitative
milestones, and control and contingency
measure requirements. As such, the area
has a fully approved NAA SIP under
section 110(k) of the CAA.
1. CAA Section 110 Requirements
Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA contains
general requirements for SIPs. These
requirements include, but are not
limited to, submittal of a SIP that has
been adopted by the state after
reasonable notice and public hearing,
provisions for establishment and
operation of appropriate apparatus,
methods, systems and procedures
necessary to monitor ambient air
quality, implementation of a permit
program, provisions for Part C—
Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) and Part D—New Source Review
(NSR) permit programs, criteria for
stationary source emission control
measures, monitoring and reporting,
provisions for modeling and provisions
for public and local agency
participation. See the General Preamble
for further explanation of these
requirements. See 57 FR 13498 (April
16, 1992).
For purposes of redesignation, the
EPA’s review of the Montana SIP shows
that the State has satisfied all
requirements under section 110(a)(2) of
the CAA. Further, in 40 CFR 52.1372,
the EPA has approved Montana’s plan
for the attainment and maintenance of
the national standards under section
110.
C. Has the state met all applicable
requirements under section 110 and
Part D of the CAA?
Section 107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA
requires that a state containing a NAA
must meet all applicable requirements
the Thompson Falls NAA during the 2015–2020
time period.
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2. Part D Requirements
Part D contains general requirements
applicable to all areas designated
nonattainment. The general
requirements are followed by a series of
subparts specific to each pollutant. All
PM10 NAAs must meet the general
provisions of Subpart 1 and the specific
PM10 provisions in Subpart 4,
‘‘Additional Provisions for Particulate
Matter Nonattainment Areas.’’ The
following paragraphs discuss these
requirements as they apply to the
Thompson Falls NAA.
3. Subpart 1, Section 172(c)
Subpart 1, section 172(c) contains
general requirements for NAA plans. A
thorough discussion of these
requirements may be found in the
General Preamble. See 57 FR 13538
(April 16, 1992). CAA section 172(c)(2)
requires nonattainment plans to provide
for RFP. Section 171(1) of the CAA
defines RFP as ‘‘such annual
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incremental reductions in emissions of
the relevant air pollutant as are required
by this part (part D of title I) or may
reasonably be required by the
Administrator for the purpose of
ensuring attainment of the applicable
national ambient air quality standard by
the applicable date.’’ Since EPA is
proposing to determine that the
Thompson Falls NAA is in attainment
of the PM10 NAAQS, we believe that no
further showing of RFP or quantitative
milestones is necessary.
4. Section 172(c)(3)—Emissions
Inventory Section
Section 172(c)(3) of the CAA requires
a comprehensive, accurate, current
inventory of actual emissions from all
sources in the Thompson Falls PM10
NAA. Montana included an emissions
inventory for the calendar year 2017
with the November 4, 2021submittal of
the LMP for the NAA. The LMP Option
memo states that an attainment
inventory should represent emissions
during the same 5-year period
associated with the air quality data used
to determine that the area meets the
applicability requirements of the LMP
option. The Thompson Falls LMP
includes an emission inventory from
2017, representative of the 2015–2019 5year period which served as the 5-year
period relied upon in the LMPs as
meeting the air quality data
requirements of the LMP option memo.7
5. Section 172(c)(5)—NSR
The 1990 CAA Amendments
contained revisions to the NSR program
requirements for the construction and
operation of new and modified major
stationary sources located in NAAs. The
CAA requires states to amend their SIPs
to reflect these revisions but does not
require submittal of this element along
with the other SIP elements. The CAA
established June 30, 1992, as the
submittal date for the revised NSR
programs (section 189 of the CAA).
Montana has a fully approved
nonattainment NSR program, approved
on August 30, 1995 (60 FR 45051).
Montana also has a fully approved PSD
7 The emissions inventory included in the
Thompson Falls MT submission is the 2017
National Emissions Inventory (NEI). The NEI is a
composite of data from many different sources, with
PM data coming primarily from EPA models as well
as from state, tribal, and local air quality
management agencies. Different data sources use
different data collection methods, and many of the
emissions data are based on estimates rather than
actual measurements. The EPA considers the 2017
NEI representative of the period from 2015—2019
because MT provided comparable vehicle miles
traveled (VMT) data in their submission. See
Thompson Falls, MT Submission, Appendix C,
Montana Department of Transportation Future VMT
Projections, p.C–1 in docket.
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program, approved on August 30, 1995
(60 FR 45051). Upon the effective date
of redesignation of an area from
nonattainment to attainment, the
requirements of the Part D NSR program
will be replaced by the PSD program
and the maintenance area NSR program.
6. Section 172(c)(7)—Compliance With
CAA Section 110(a)(2): Air Quality
Monitoring Requirements
Once an area is redesignated, the state
must continue to operate an appropriate
air monitoring network in accordance
with 40 CFR part 58 to verify attainment
status of the area. The State of Montana
operates one PM10 SLAMS in each of
the NAAs. The Thompson Falls
monitoring site meets EPA SLAMS
network design and siting requirements
set forth at 40 CFR part 58, appendices
D and E. In section 3.5 of the LMP that
we are proposing to approve, the State
commits to continued operation of the
monitoring network.
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7. Section 172(c)(9)—Contingency
Measures
The CAA requires that contingency
measures take effect if the area fails to
meet RFP requirements or fails to attain
the NAAQS by the applicable
attainment date. Since the Thompson
Falls NAA has attained the 1987 24hour PM10 NAAQS, contingency
measures are no longer required under
section 172(c)(9) of the CAA. However,
contingency provisions are required for
maintenance plans under section
175(a)(d). We describe the contingency
provisions Montana provided in the
LMP section below.
8. Part D, Subpart 4
Part D, subpart 4, section 189(a), (c)
and (e) requirements apply to any
Moderate NAA before the area can be
redesignated to attainment. The
requirements which were applicable
prior to the submission of the request to
redesignate the area must be fully
approved into the SIP before
redesignating the area to attainment.
These requirements include: (a)
Provisions to assure that RACM was
implemented by December 10, 1993; (b)
Either a demonstration that the plan
provided for attainment as
expeditiously as practicable but not
later than December 31, 1994, or a
demonstration that attainment by that
date was impracticable; (c) Quantitative
milestones which were achieved every 3
years and which demonstrate RFP
toward attainment by December 31,
1994; and (d) Provisions to assure that
the control requirements applicable to
major stationary sources of PM10 also
apply to major stationary sources of
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PM10 precursors except where the
Administrator determined that such
sources do not contribute significantly
to PM10 levels which exceed the
NAAQS in the area. These provisions
were fully approved into the SIP upon
the EPA’s approval of the PM10
Moderate area plan for the Thompson
Falls NAA on January 22, 2004 (69 FR
3011).
D. Has the state demonstrated that the
air quality improvement is due to
permanent and enforceable reductions?
A state must be able to reasonably
attribute the improvement in air quality
to permanent and enforceable emission
reductions. In making this showing, a
state must demonstrate that air quality
improvements are the result of actual
enforceable emission reductions. This
showing should consider emission rates,
production capacities, and other related
information. The analysis should
assume that sources are operating at
permitted levels (or historic peak levels)
unless evidence is presented that such
an assumption is unrealistic. Permanent
and enforceable control measures in the
Thompson Falls NAA SIP includes
RACM. Emission sources in the NAA
have been implementing RACM for at
least 10 years.
Areas that qualify for the LMP will
meet the NAAQS, even under worst
case meteorological conditions. Under
the LMP option, the maintenance
demonstration is presumed to be
satisfied if an area meets the qualifying
criteria. Thus, by qualifying for the
LMP, Montana has demonstrated that
the air quality improvements in the
Thompson Falls NAA is the result of
permanent emission reductions and not
a result of either economic trends or
meteorology. A description of the LMP
qualifying criteria and how the
Thompson Falls area meets these
criteria is provided in the following
section.
Permanent and enforceable emission
reductions in the Thompson Falls NAA
have reduced emissions 29% since the
1991 baseline. The primary controls
incorporated into the SIP included rules
focused on reducing fugitive dust
emissions from roads and parking lots.
Additionally, the approved control plan
satisfied the requirements for RACM of
area sources. Based on the 2017 national
emissions inventory, PM10 emissions in
all source areas are below the levels
approved in the original control plan.8
8 See
Thompson Falls, MT submission in docket,
Table 2.4—Thompson Falls, MT—PM10 Emission
Summary, p. 2–5.
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12909
E. Does the area have a fully approved
maintenance plan pursuant to section
175A of the CAA?
In this action, we are proposing to
approve the LMP for the Thompson
Falls NAA in accordance with the
principles outlined in the LMP Option.
F. Has the state demonstrated that the
Thompson Falls NAA qualifies for the
LMP Option?
The LMP Option memo outlines the
requirements for an area to qualify for
the LMP Option. First, the area should
be attaining the NAAQS. As stated
above in section III. A., the EPA has
determined that the Thompson Falls
NAA is attaining the PM10 NAAQS.
Second, the ADC for the past 5 years
of monitoring data must be at or below
the CDV. As noted in section II.B., the
CDV is a margin of safety value and is
the value at which an area has been
determined to have a 1 in 10 probability
of exceeding the NAAQS. The LMP
Option memo provides two methods for
review of monitoring data for the
purpose of qualifying for the LMP
option. The first method is a
comparison of a site’s ADC with the
CDV of 98 mg/m3 for the 24-hour PM10
NAAQS. A second method that applies
to the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS is the
calculation of a site-specific CDV and a
comparison of the site-specific CDV
with the ADC for the past 5 years of
monitoring data. Table 2 below outlines
the design concentrations for the years
2015–2020 and presents the ADC.
Table 3 summarizes the wildfire
related events that were excluded from
the calculated design concentrations in
Table 2. Table 3 includes all regionally
concurred exceptional events, as well as
values between 98 mg/m3 and 155 mg/
m3, which were treated in a manner
analogous to exceedance data under the
Exceptional Events Rule for the purpose
of determining the LMP option
eligibility. The values between 98 mg/m3
and 155 mg/m3 remain in the AQS
database for use in calculating design
concentrations for every purpose
besides determining LMP eligibility.9
The Exceptional Events Rule can be
found in 40 CFR 50.14 and 40 CFR
51.930, and outlines the requirements
for the treatment of monitored air
quality data that has been heavily
influenced by an exceptional event. 40
CFR 50.1(j) defines an exceptional event
as an event which affects air quality, is
not reasonably controllable or
preventable, is an event caused by
9 Update on Application of the Exceptional
Events Rule to the PM10 Limited Maintenance Plan
Option, US EPA, William T. Harnett, Director, Air
Quality Policy Division, OAQPS, May 7, 2009.
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human activity that is unlikely to recur
at a particular location or a natural
event and is determined by the
Administrator in accordance with 40
CFR 50.14 to be an exceptional event.
Exceptional events do not include
stagnation of air masses or
meteorological inversions,
meteorological events involving high
temperatures or lack of precipitation, or
air pollution relating to source
noncompliance. 40 CFR 50.14(b) states
that the EPA shall exclude data from use
in determinations of exceedances and
NAAQS violations where a state
demonstrates to the EPA’s satisfaction
that an exceptional event caused a
specific air pollution concentration in
excess of one or more NAAQS at a
particular air quality monitoring
location and otherwise satisfies the
requirements of section 50.14. Table 3
below includes some values between 98
mg/m3 and 155 mg/m3 that were
excluded for the sole purpose of
determining PM10 LMP eligibility in
accordance with the LMP guidance.10
Supporting documentation of EPA’s
concurrence with the wildfire related
events can be found in the docket.11
TABLE 2—SUMMARY OF 24-HOUR
PM10 DESIGN CONCENTRATIONS
(μg/m3) FOR THOMPSON FALLS
The State’s submission demonstrated
TABLE 3—THOMPSON FALLS 24-HOUR
PM10 EVENTS EXCLUDED FROM THE that the 2015–2019 monitoring data
2015–2020 DATA FOR THE PUR- shows that Thompson Falls has attained
POSE OF DETERMINING LMP ELIGI- the 24-hour NAAQS for PM10, and the
BILITY
[Based on data from Thompson Falls HS Site,
AQS Identification Number (30–089–0007)]
24-hour value
(μg/m3)
Date
8–14–2016 ......................
8–24–2015 ......................
8–26–2015 ......................
8–27–2015 ......................
8–29–2015 ......................
8–30–2016 ......................
9–6–2017 ........................
9–7–2017 ........................
9–8–2017 ........................
9–9–2017 ........................
9–12–2020 ......................
9–13–2020 ......................
9–14–2020 ......................
9–15–2020 ......................
9–16–2020 ......................
9–17–2020 ......................
9–18–2020 ......................
105
117
135
122
143
135
251
231
249
100
168
206
185
148
103
107
99
Values between 98 μg/m3 and 155 μg/m3
were excluded by EPA solely for the purpose
of determining limited maintenance plan (LMP)
eligibility in accordance with LMP guidance.
The values remain in AQS and are still used
for all other purposes (including calculating the
estimated exceedances and official design
concentrations).
The ADC for the 24-hour PM10
NAAQS for Thompson Falls, based on
data from the SLAMS monitor for the
years 2016–2020 is 75 mg/m3. This value
falls below the presumptive 24-hour
Design
Design concentration
CDV of 98 mg/m3 and would meet the
concentration
years
(μg/m3)
first threshold for LMP eligibility.
In addition to having an ADC that is
2015–2017 ......................
100
2016–2018 ......................
88 below the presumptive or area specific
2017–2019 ......................
70 CDV, and in order to qualify for the
2018–2020 ......................
66 LMP, the area must meet the motor
vehicle regional emissions analysis test
Average Design Concentration (of Most Re- in attachment B of the LMP Option
cent 3 Design Concentrations) 75 μg/m3.
memo. Using the methodology outlined
in the memo, the data presented in the
10 See Update on Application of the Exceptional
State submission in section 3.2 and
Events Rule to the PM10 Limited Maintenance Plan
based on monitoring data for the period
Option, US EPA, William T. Harnett, Director, Air
2016–2020, the EPA has determined
Quality Policy Division, OAQPS, May 7, 2009 and
that the Thompson Falls NAA has a
Additional Methods, Determinations, and Analyses
to Modify Air Quality Data Beyond Exceptional
projected design concentration of 79 mg/
Events, US EPA, Richard Wayland, Director, Air
m3 after 10 years, attributable to motor
Quality Assessment Division and Anna Marie
vehicle emission growth. This value is
Wood, Director, Air Quality Policy Division, April
below the presumptive 24-hour CDV of
4, 2019 memos in docket.
11 February 8, 2019 letter to MDEQ, Re:
98 mg/m3 and therefore passes the motor
Exceptional Events Requests Regarding
vehicle regional emissions analysis test.
Exceedances of the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS and the
For the detailed calculations used to
LMP Eligibility Threshold at Montana Monitoring
determine how the Thompson Falls
Sites with PM10 Nonattainment Areas; and
NAA passed the motor vehicle regional
November 1, 2018 letter to MDEQ, Re: Request for
EPA concurrence on exceptional event claims for
analysis test, see the supporting
fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particulate matter
documents in the docket.12
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[Based on data from Thompson Falls HS Site,
AQS Identification Number (30–089–0007)]
data impacted by wildfires in 2015 and 2016. See
Thompson Falls, MT submission in docket; and
additional information on 2020 data can be found
in the docket for this action, document titled:
Montana 2020 PM10 Letter.
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12 See memo to file in docket dated January 10,
2022 titled ‘‘Memo to File—Thompson Falls, MT
Motor Vehicle Regional Emissions Analysis.’’
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24-hour ADC for the area is less than the
24-hour PM10 presumptive and areaspecific CDV. The data presented in this
action demonstrates that the 2016–2020
data show that Thompson Falls has
attained the 24-hour NAAQS for PM10,
and the 24-hour ADC for the area is less
that the 24-hour PM10 presumptive CDV
of 98 mg/m3. Finally, the area has met
the regional vehicle emissions analysis
test for both the 2015–2019 and 2016–
2020 periods of monitoring data. Thus,
the Thompson Falls NAA qualifies for
the LMP Option described in the LMP
Option memo. The LMP Option memo
also indicates that once a state selects
the LMP Option and it is in effect, the
state will be expected to determine, on
an annual basis, that the LMP criteria
are still being met. If a state determines
that the LMP criteria are not being met,
it should take action to reduce PM10
concentrations enough to requalify for
the LMP. One possible approach a state
could take is to implement contingency
measures. Please see section 3.6 of the
Thompson Falls LMP for a description
of contingency provisions submitted as
part of the State’s submittal.
G. Does the state have an approved
attainment emissions inventory which
can be used to demonstrate attainment
of the NAAQS?
A state’s approved attainment plan
should include an emissions inventory
(attainment inventory) which can be
used to demonstrate attainment of the
NAAQS. The inventory should
represent emissions during the same 5year period associated with air quality
data used to determine whether the area
meets the applicability requirements of
the LMP Option. A state should review
its inventory every 3 years to ensure
emissions growth is incorporated in the
attainment inventory if necessary. In
this instance, Montana completed an
attainment year inventory for the
attainment year 2017 for the Thompson
Falls NAA. The EPA has reviewed the
2017 emissions inventories and
determined that they are current,
accurate and complete. In addition, the
emissions inventory submitted with the
LMP for the calendar year 2017 is
representative of the level of emissions
during the time period used to calculate
the ADC since 2017 is included in the
5-year period used to calculate the
design concentrations (2015–2019).
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H. Does the LMP include an assurance
of continued operation of an
appropriate EPA-approved air quality
monitoring network, in accordance with
40 CFR Part 58?
The PM10 monitoring network for the
Thompson Falls NAA has been
developed and maintained in
accordance with federal siting and
design criteria in 40 CFR part 58,
appendices D and E and in consultation
with the EPA Region 8. In section 3.5 of
the Thompson Falls LMP, Montana
states that it will continue to operate its
monitoring network to meet EPA
requirements.
I. Does the plan meet the CAA
requirements for contingency provisions
for maintenance plans?
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Section 175A of the CAA states that
a maintenance plan must include
contingency provisions, as necessary, to
promptly correct any violation of the
NAAQS which may occur after
redesignation of the area to attainment.
As explained in the LMP Option memo,
these contingency measures do not have
to be fully adopted at the time of
redesignation. As noted above, CAA
section 175A requirements are distinct
from CAA section 172(c)(9) contingency
measures. Section 3.6 of the Thompson
Falls LMP describes a process and
timeline to identify and evaluate
appropriate contingency measures in
the event of a quality assured violation
of the PM10 NAAQS. Upon notification
of a PM10 exceedance in any of the three
areas, the MDEQ and the appropriate
local government will develop
contingency measures designed to
prevent or correct a violation of the
PM10 standard. This process will be
completed within twelve months of the
exceedance notification. Upon violating
the PM10 standard, the MDEQ and local
government will determine if the local
contingency measures will be adequate
to prevent further exceedances or
violations. If the agencies determine that
local measures will be inadequate, the
MDEQ and local government will adopt
State-enforceable measures.
The current and proposed
contingency provisions in the
Thompson Falls LMP meet the
requirements for contingency provisions
as outlined in the LMP Option memo.
IV. Conformity and the LMP Option
Section 176(c) of the CAA requires the
conformity of federal actions to the air
quality goals of an NAA or maintenance
area. Such federal actions include
actions on transportation plans,
programs and projects developed,
funded, or approved by federal agencies
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or by recipients of federal funds, as well
as more general actions receiving federal
assistance or approval. Conformity of
these two types of actions is known,
respectively, as ‘‘transportation
conformity’’ and ‘‘general conformity.’’
The purpose of conformity is to ensure
that such federal actions will not
produce new air quality violations,
worsen existing violations, or delay
timely attainment of the NAAQS. The
EPA’s transportation and general
conformity rules are found in 40 CFR
part 93, subparts A and B, respectively.
The transportation conformity rule
generally requires a demonstration that
emissions from the relevant projects of
a transportation plan and transportation
improvement program covering a
designated area are consistent with the
motor vehicle emissions budget (MVEB
or ‘budget’) contained in the SIP or
maintenance plan for that area. The
MVEB is the level of mobile source
emissions of a pollutant relied upon in
the attainment or maintenance
demonstration to attain or maintain the
NAAQS in the NAA or maintenance
area.
Under the transportation conformity
rule, designated areas meeting the
criteria for the LMP Option will not be
required to satisfy the rule’s regional
emissions analysis requirements (40
CFR 93.109(e)). When the EPA approves
an LMP, we are concluding that it is
unreasonable to expect that the
qualifying area will experience
sufficient growth during the
maintenance period that a violation of
the PM10 NAAQS would result.
Therefore, the EPA is concluding with
an LMP approval that the area’s budget
is essentially not constraining for the
duration of the maintenance period and
a regional emissions analysis will not be
necessary to demonstrate conformity.
However, because LMP areas are still
maintenance areas, approval of a
Thompson Falls LMP does not remove
certain transportation conformity rule
requirements for transportation plans,
programs, and projects. As an isolated
rural maintenance area, the Thompson
Falls area will generally be subject to
the requirements of 40 CFR 93.109(g), as
modified by the requirements for LMP
areas in 40 CFR 93.109(e). Specifically,
state transportation plans,
transportation improvement programs
and transportation projects still must
demonstrate that they are fiscally
constrained (30 CFR 93.108), are still
subject to consultation requirements (40
CFR 93.112), and projects must not
interfere with the implementation of
any transportation control measures
from the applicable implementation
plan (40 CFR 93.113).
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12911
Approval of the LMP option would
have similar implications with respect
to general conformity. Federal actions
subject to general conformity in an LMP
area will not be required to satisfy the
budget test requirement of the general
conformity rule. Such federal actions
are presumed to conform under the LMP
option as emissions budgets in such
areas are essentially not constraining for
the duration of the maintenance period.
V. Environmental Justice Concerns
To identify potential environmental
burdens and susceptible populations in
the Thompson Falls NAA, EPA
performed a screening-level analysis
using the EPA’s EJSCREEN tool to
evaluate environmental and
demographic indicators within the area.
The tool outputs are contained in the
docket for this action. The results
indicate that within the Thompson Falls
NAA, the EJ index for the NationalScale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA)
for diesel particulate matter is at the
81st percentile compared to the rest of
the State and results indicate a lowincome population of 58%, as compared
to the State average of 34% for Montana.
These populations may be vulnerable
and subject to disproportionate impacts
within the meaning of the executive
orders described above. Further, as the
EJSCREEN analysis is a screening-level
assessment and not an in-depth review,
it is possible that there are other
vulnerable groups within the Thompson
Falls NAA.
As to all vulnerable groups within the
Thompson Falls NAA, as explained
above, we believe that this action will
be beneficial and will tend to reduce
impacts as this action, if finalized,
addresses a plan for continued
attainment of the PM10 NAAQS for the
Thompson Falls NAA. When the EPA
establishes a new or revised NAAQS,
the CAA requires the EPA to designate
all areas of the U.S. as either
nonattainment, attainment, or
unclassifiable. If an area is designated
nonattainment for a NAAQS, the state
must develop a plan outlining how the
area will attain and maintain the
standard by reducing air pollutant
emissions. In this action we are
proposing to approve the LMP for the
Thompson Falls NAA and the State’s
request to redesignate the Thompson
Falls NAA from nonattainment to
attainment for the 1987 24-hour PM10
NAAQS. Approval of the LMP will
contribute to the ongoing protection of
those residing, working, attending
school, or otherwise present in those
areas, and we propose to determine that
this action, if finalized, will not have
disproportionately high or adverse
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human health or environmental effects
on communities with environmental
justice concerns.
VI. Proposed Action
For the reasons explained in section
III., we are proposing to approve the
LMP for the Thompson Falls NAA and
the State’s request to redesignate the
Thompson Falls NAA from
nonattainment to attainment for the
1987 24-hour PM10 NAAQS.
Additionally, the EPA is proposing to
determine that the Thompson Falls
NAA has attained the NAAQS for PM10.
This determination is based upon
monitored air quality data for the PM10
NAAQS during the years 2014–2020.
The EPA is proposing to approve the
Thompson Falls LMP as meeting the
appropriate transportation conformity
requirements found in 40 CFR part 93,
subpart A.
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VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is
required to approve a SIP submission
that complies with the provisions of the
Act and applicable Federal regulations.
42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the
EPA’s role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of
the CAA. Accordingly, this action
merely proposes to approve state law as
meeting Federal requirements and does
not impose additional requirements
beyond those imposed by state law. For
that reason, this action:
• Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ subject to review by the Office
of Management and Budget under
Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,
January 21, 2011);
• 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);
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• 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
practicable and legally permissible
methods, under Executive Order 12898
(59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, the SIP is not approved
to apply on any Indian reservation land
or in any other area where EPA or an
Indian tribe has demonstrated that a
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of
Indian country, the proposed rule does
not have tribal implications and will not
impose substantial direct costs on tribal
governments or preempt tribal law as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Greenhouse gases, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
40 CFR Part 81
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, National parks, and
Wilderness areas.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: February 28, 2022.
KC Becker,
Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2022–04759 Filed 3–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
[EPA–R08–OAR–2021–0808; FRL–9595–01–
R8]
Air Plan Approval; Montana; Whitefish
PM10 Nonattainment Area Limited
Maintenance Plan and Redesignation
Request
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
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The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to fully
approve the Limited Maintenance Plan
(LMP) submitted by the State of
Montana to EPA on August 6, 2021, for
the Whitefish Moderate nonattainment
area (NAA) for particulate matter with
an aerodynamic diameter less than or
equal to a nominal 10 micrometers
(PM10) and concurrently redesignate the
NAA to attainment for the 24-hour PM10
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS). In order to approve the LMP
and redesignation, EPA is proposing to
determine that the Whitefish NAA has
attained the 1987 24-hour PM10 NAAQS
of 150 mg/m3. This determination is
based upon monitored air quality data
for the PM10 NAAQS during the years
2015–2020. EPA is taking this action
pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before April 7, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
OAR–2021–0808 to the Federal
Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Once submitted, comments cannot be
edited or removed from
www.regulations.gov. The EPA may
publish any comment received to its
public docket. Do not submit
electronically any information you
consider to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
etc.) must be accompanied by a written
comment. The written comment is
considered the official comment and
should include discussion of all points
you wish to make. The EPA will
generally not consider comments or
comment contents located outside of the
primary submission (i.e., on the web,
cloud, or other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, the full
EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on
making effective comments, please visit
https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
commenting-epa-dockets.
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
electronically in www.regulations.gov.
To reduce the risk of COVID–19
transmission, for this action we do not
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\08MRP1.SGM
08MRP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12905-12912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04759]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
[EPA-R08-OAR-2021-0809; FRL-9579-01-R8]
Air Plan Approval; Montana; Thompson Falls PM10 Nonattainment
Area Limited Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
fully approve the Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) submitted by the State
of Montana to EPA on November 4, 2021, for the Thompson Falls Moderate
nonattainment area (NAA) for particulate matter with an aerodynamic
diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers
(PM10) and concurrently redesignate the NAA to attainment
for the 24-hour PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS). In order to approve the LMP and redesignation, EPA is
proposing to determine that the Thompson Falls NAA has attained the
1987 24-hour PM10 NAAQS of 150 [micro]g/m\3\. This
determination is based upon monitored air quality data for the
PM10 NAAQS during the years 2015-2020. EPA is taking this
action pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 7, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R08-
OAR-2021-0809 to the Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from
www.regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you
consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written
comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and
should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will
generally not consider comments or
[[Page 12906]]
comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on
the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional
submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information
about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making
effective comments, please visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
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 electronically in
www.regulations.gov. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, for
this action we do not plan to offer hard copy review of the docket.
Please email or call the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section if you need to make alternative arrangements for access
to the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Gregory, Air and Radiation
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mail
Code 8P-ARD-QP, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129,
telephone number: (303) 312-6175, email address: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean the EPA.
I. Background
Description of the Thompson Falls NAA
The Thompson Falls NAA is in Sanders County and is on the north
side of the Clark Fork River Valley in northwestern Montana. The Clark
Fork River has been dammed at the center of the small town of Thompson
Falls to form the Thompson Falls Reservoir and the configuration of the
nearby mountains and valley create temperature inversions in the fall
and winter months. The EPA promulgated the PM10 NAAQS on
July 1, 1987 (52 FR 24634). The Thompson Falls NAA was originally
designated as a Group III area on July 1, 1987 (52 FR 24634), meaning,
at that time, there was a strong likelihood the Thompson Falls NAA
would attain the PM10 NAAQS and, therefore, needed only
adjustments to their preconstruction permit review program and
monitoring network. However, multiple exceedances of the 1987 24-hour
PM10 NAAQS resulted in nonattainment and subsequently the
Thompson Falls NAA was classified as Moderate for the 1987 24-hour
PM10 NAAQS, effective January 20, 1994 (58 FR 67334). Within
18 months of this Moderate designation, by May 18, 1995, Montana was
required to submit to EPA a Moderate NAA State Implementation Plan
(SIP) for the Thompson Falls NAA containing, among other requirements,
provisions to assure that reasonably available control measures (RACM),
including reasonably available control technologies (RACT) and
demonstrated whether it was practicable to attain the PM10
NAAQS by December 31, 2000 (57 FR 13498 (April 16, 1992).\1\
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\1\ see also 57 FR 18070 (April 28, 1992) and 66 FR 55102
(November 1, 2001).
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The State of Montana submitted an initial PM10 SIP to
EPA on June 26, 1997, and a subsequent submission on June 13, 2000. EPA
approved both the June 26, 1997 and the June 13, 2000 p.m.10
SIP submissions for the Thompson Falls initial control plan on April
24, 2008 (73 FR 22057). The State of Montana's SIP for the Thompson
Falls Moderate NAA included, but was not limited to, a comprehensive
emissions inventory, RACM (implemented by November 18, 1997), a
demonstration that attainment of the PM10 NAAQS would be
achieved in Thompson Falls by December 31, 2000; Reasonable Further
Progress (RFP) requirements and control measures that satisfy the
contingency measures requirement of section 172(c)(9) of the CAA. The
EPA fully approved the Thompson Falls NAA PM10 attainment
plan on January 22, 2004 (69 FR 3011).
II. Requirements for Redesignation
A. CAA Requirements for Redesignation of NAAs
NAAs can be redesignated to attainment after the area has measured
air quality data showing it has attained the NAAQS and when certain
planning requirements are met. Section 107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA, and the
General Preamble to Title I provide the criteria for redesignation. See
57 FR 13498 (April 16, 1992). These criteria are further clarified in a
policy and guidance memorandum from John Calcagni, Director, Air
Quality Management Division, EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards dated September 4, 1992, ``Procedures for Processing Requests
to Redesignate Areas to Attainment.'' \2\ The criteria for
redesignation are:
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\2\ The ``Procedures for Processing Requests to Redesignate
Areas to Attainment'' (Calcagni memo) outlines the criteria for
redesignation (see docket for memo).
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(1) The Administrator has determined that the area has attained the
applicable NAAQS;
(2) The Administrator has fully approved the applicable SIP for the
area under section 110(k) of the CAA;
(3) The state containing the area has met all requirements
applicable to the area under section 110 and part D of the CAA;
(4) The Administrator has determined that the improvement in air
quality is due to permanent and enforceable reductions in emissions;
and
(5) The Administrator has fully approved a maintenance plan for the
area as meeting the requirements of section 175A of the CAA.
B. The LMP Option for PM10 NAAs
On August 9, 2001, the EPA issued guidance on streamlined
maintenance plan provisions for certain moderate PM10 NAAs
seeking redesignation to attainment (Memo from Lydia Wegman, Director,
Air Quality Standards and Strategies Division, entitled ``Limited
Maintenance Plan Option for Moderate PM10 Nonattainment
Areas,'' (hereafter the LMP Option memo)).\3\ The LMP Option memo
contains a statistical demonstration to show that areas meeting certain
air quality criteria will, with a high degree of probability, maintain
the standard 10 years into the future. Thus, the EPA has already
provided the maintenance demonstration for areas meeting the criteria
outlined in the LMP Option memo. It follows that future year emission
inventories for these areas, and some of the standard analyses to
determine transportation conformity with the SIP are no longer
necessary.
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\3\ The ``Limited Maintenance Plan Option for Moderate
PM10 Nonattainment Areas'' outlines the criteria for
development of a PM10 limited maintenance plan (see
docket for memo).
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To qualify for the LMP Option, the area should have attained the
1987 24-hour PM10 NAAQS, based upon the most recent 5 years
of air quality data at all monitors in the area, and the 24-hour design
concentration should be at or below the ``Critical Design Value''
(CDV). The CDV is a calculated design concentration that indicates that
the area has a low probability (1 in 10) of exceeding the NAAQS in the
future. For the purposes of qualifying for the LMP option, a
presumptive CDV of 98 [micro]g/m\3\ is most often employed, but an area
may elect to use a site-specific CDV should the average design
concentration (ADC) be above 98 [micro]g/m\3\, while demonstrating that
the area has a low probability of exceeding the NAAQS in the future.
The annual PM10 standard was effectively
[[Page 12907]]
revoked on December 18, 2006 (71 FR 61143), and as such will not be
discussed as a requirement for qualifying for the LMP option. In
addition, the area should expect only limited growth in on-road motor
vehicle PM10 emissions (including fugitive dust) and should
have passed a motor vehicle regional emissions analysis test. The LMP
Option memo also identifies core provisions that must be included in
the LMP. These provisions include an attainment year emissions
inventory, assurance of continued operation of an EPA-approved air
quality monitoring network, and contingency provisions.
III. Review of Montana's Submittal Addressing the Requirements for
Redesignation and Limited Maintenance Plan
A. Has the Thompson Falls NAA attained the applicable NAAQS?
States must demonstrate that an area has attained the 24-hour
PM10 NAAQS through analysis of ambient air quality data from
an ambient air monitoring network representing peak PM10
concentrations. The data should be stored in the EPA Air Quality System
(AQS) database. The request for redesignation of the Thompson Falls
PM10 NAA submitted by the State of Montana presented data
and analyses to demonstrate that the area attained the PM10
standard using 2015-2019 data. During the review process the EPA
identified a single 2017 24-hour PM10 data point that was
inadvertently omitted from the submission, and therefore this datapoint
was included in the tables and calculations contained in this action.
In addition to reviewing the 2015-2019 data the EPA included 2020
p.m.10 data in this action (as it is currently the most
recent year of certified data present in AQS) to confirm that the area
is still attaining the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS. Additionally,
preliminary 2021 data indicates the area continues to attain.
Today, EPA is proposing to determine that the Thompson Falls NAA
has attained the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS based on monitoring data
from calendar years 2015-2020. The 24-hour standard is attained when
the expected number of days with 24-hour average concentrations above
150 [micro]g/m\3\ (averaged over a 3-year period) is less than or equal
to one. See 40 CFR 50.6(a). A minimum of three complete and consecutive
years of air quality data are generally necessary to show attainment of
the standard. See 40 CFR part 50, appendix K. A complete year of air
quality data, as referred to in 40 CFR part 50, appendix K, is
comprised of all four calendar quarters with each quarter containing
data from at least 75% of the scheduled sampling days.
The Thompson Falls NAA has one State and Local Air Monitoring
Station (SLAMS) PM10 monitor, Thompson Falls High School
(AQS ID 30-089-0007), operated by the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Table 1 summarizes the PM10
data collected from 2015-2020 for the Thompson Falls NAA. The EPA deems
the data collected from these monitors valid, and the data have been
submitted and certified by the MDEQ to be included in AQS. All years
are complete except for 2016 which has one incomplete quarter of data.
Therefore, the State performed data substitution for the missing 2016
data. Methods and results for the missing 2016 data substitution can be
found in Appendix E of the State submission in the docket of this
action.
Table 1--Summary of Maximum 24-Hour PM10 Concentrations ([mu]g/m\3\), Design Concentrations ([mu]g/m\3\), and
Number of Exceedances for Thompson Falls 2015-2020
[Based on data from Thompson Falls High School, AQS Identification Number (30-089-0007)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of exceedances
Design concentration excluding regionally
Year Maximum concentration \4\ concurred exceptional
events \5\
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2015................................. 143 135 0
2016................................. 135 135 0
2017................................. 210 135 1
2018................................. 72 135 0
2019................................. 43 72 0
2020................................. 148 99 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The CAA allows for the exclusion of air quality monitoring data
from design value calculations when there are exceedances caused by
exceptional events, including for expected number exceedances for
PM10 averaged over a 3-year period, that meet the criteria
for an exceptional event identified in the EPA's implementing
regulations, the Exceptional Events Rule at 40 CFR 50.1, 50.14, and
51.930. For the purposes of this proposed action, on November 23, 2021,
the State of Montana submitted exceptional event demonstrations to
request exclusion of data impacted by wildfires. The EPA evaluated the
State of Montana's exceptional event demonstrations for the flagged
values of the 24-hour PM10 listed in Table 3 below in the
Thompson Falls Moderate NAA, with respect to the requirements of EPA's
Exceptional Events Rule (40 CFR 50.1, 50.14, and 50.930).
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\4\ The design concentrations are calculated using three years
of data and the ``Table Look-up'' method described in the
``PM10 SIP Development Guideline'', EPA-450/2-86-001,
June 1987.
\5\ Exceedances in 2017 and 2020 have been flagged and concurred
on as exceptional events. Additional information on 2017 data can be
found in Appendix A, p. a-1, of the submission by the state in the
docket of this action and additional information on 2020 data can be
found in the docket for this action, document titled: Montana 2020
p.m.10 Letter.
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On January 25, 2022, EPA concurred with the State of Montana's
requests to exclude event-influenced data listed in Table 3, finding
that the State of Montana's demonstration met the Exceptional Event
Rule criteria. As such, the event-influenced data have been removed
from the data set used for regulatory purposes. For this proposed
action, EPA relies on the PM10 concentrations reported at
the Thompson Falls monitoring site which showed only one exceedance
from 2015-2020 when exceptional events are excluded. Therefore, the
expected number of days with 24-hour average concentrations above 150
[micro]g/m\3\ averaged over a 3-year period is less than one, and as
such, the EPA proposes to determine that the Thompson Falls NAA has
attained the standard for the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS.\6\
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\6\ Please see section III(F) of this action for further
discussion and description of exceptional events in the Thompson
Falls NAA during the 2015-2020 time period.
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[[Page 12908]]
Additionally, the EPA concurred on the State of Montana's request
to exclude PM10 data listed in Table 3 in regulatory
decisions. For further information, refer to the State of Montana's
Exceptional Event demonstration packages and the EPA's concurrence and
analyses located in the docket for this proposed action.
B. Does the Thompson Falls NAA have a fully approved SIP under CAA
section 110(k)?
To qualify for redesignation, the SIP for the area must be fully
approved under CAA section 110(k) and must satisfy all requirements
that apply to the area. Section 189 of the CAA contains requirements
and milestones for all initial Moderate NAA SIPs including: (1)
Provisions to assure that RACM (including such reductions in emissions
from existing sources in the area as may be obtained through the
adoption, at a minimum, of RACT shall be implemented no later than
December 10, 1993; (2) A demonstration (including air quality modeling)
that the plan will provide for attainment as expeditiously as
practicable by no later than December 31, 1994, or, where the state is
seeking an extension of the attainment date under section 188(e), a
demonstration that attainment by December 31, 1994, is impracticable
and that the plan provides for attainment by the most expeditious
alternative date practicable (CAA sections 189(a)(1)(A)); (3)
Quantitative milestones which are to be achieved every 3 years and
which demonstrate RFP toward attainment by December 31, 1994, (CAA
sections 172(c)(2) and 189(c)); and (4) Contingency measures to be
implemented if the area fails to make RFP or attain by its attainment
deadline. These contingency measures are to take effect without further
action by the state or the EPA. (CAA section 172(c)(9)).
The EPA fully approved the Thompson Falls NAA PM10
attainment plan on January 22, 2004 (69 FR 3011). The Thompson Falls
plan included RACM, an attainment demonstration, emissions inventory,
quantitative milestones, and control and contingency measure
requirements. As such, the area has a fully approved NAA SIP under
section 110(k) of the CAA.
C. Has the state met all applicable requirements under section 110 and
Part D of the CAA?
Section 107(d)(3)(E) of the CAA requires that a state containing a
NAA must meet all applicable requirements under section 110 and Part D
of the CAA for an area to be redesignated to attainment. The EPA
interprets this to mean that the state must meet all requirements that
applied to the area prior to, and at the time of, the submission of a
complete redesignation request. The following is a summary of how
Montana meets these requirements.
1. CAA Section 110 Requirements
Section 110(a)(2) of the CAA contains general requirements for
SIPs. These requirements include, but are not limited to, submittal of
a SIP that has been adopted by the state after reasonable notice and
public hearing, provisions for establishment and operation of
appropriate apparatus, methods, systems and procedures necessary to
monitor ambient air quality, implementation of a permit program,
provisions for Part C--Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
and Part D--New Source Review (NSR) permit programs, criteria for
stationary source emission control measures, monitoring and reporting,
provisions for modeling and provisions for public and local agency
participation. See the General Preamble for further explanation of
these requirements. See 57 FR 13498 (April 16, 1992).
For purposes of redesignation, the EPA's review of the Montana SIP
shows that the State has satisfied all requirements under section
110(a)(2) of the CAA. Further, in 40 CFR 52.1372, the EPA has approved
Montana's plan for the attainment and maintenance of the national
standards under section 110.
2. Part D Requirements
Part D contains general requirements applicable to all areas
designated nonattainment. The general requirements are followed by a
series of subparts specific to each pollutant. All PM10 NAAs
must meet the general provisions of Subpart 1 and the specific
PM10 provisions in Subpart 4, ``Additional Provisions for
Particulate Matter Nonattainment Areas.'' The following paragraphs
discuss these requirements as they apply to the Thompson Falls NAA.
3. Subpart 1, Section 172(c)
Subpart 1, section 172(c) contains general requirements for NAA
plans. A thorough discussion of these requirements may be found in the
General Preamble. See 57 FR 13538 (April 16, 1992). CAA section
172(c)(2) requires nonattainment plans to provide for RFP. Section
171(1) of the CAA defines RFP as ``such annual incremental reductions
in emissions of the relevant air pollutant as are required by this part
(part D of title I) or may reasonably be required by the Administrator
for the purpose of ensuring attainment of the applicable national
ambient air quality standard by the applicable date.'' Since EPA is
proposing to determine that the Thompson Falls NAA is in attainment of
the PM10 NAAQS, we believe that no further showing of RFP or
quantitative milestones is necessary.
4. Section 172(c)(3)--Emissions Inventory Section
Section 172(c)(3) of the CAA requires a comprehensive, accurate,
current inventory of actual emissions from all sources in the Thompson
Falls PM10 NAA. Montana included an emissions inventory for
the calendar year 2017 with the November 4, 2021submittal of the LMP
for the NAA. The LMP Option memo states that an attainment inventory
should represent emissions during the same 5-year period associated
with the air quality data used to determine that the area meets the
applicability requirements of the LMP option. The Thompson Falls LMP
includes an emission inventory from 2017, representative of the 2015-
2019 5-year period which served as the 5-year period relied upon in the
LMPs as meeting the air quality data requirements of the LMP option
memo.\7\
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\7\ The emissions inventory included in the Thompson Falls MT
submission is the 2017 National Emissions Inventory (NEI). The NEI
is a composite of data from many different sources, with PM data
coming primarily from EPA models as well as from state, tribal, and
local air quality management agencies. Different data sources use
different data collection methods, and many of the emissions data
are based on estimates rather than actual measurements. The EPA
considers the 2017 NEI representative of the period from 2015--2019
because MT provided comparable vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data in
their submission. See Thompson Falls, MT Submission, Appendix C,
Montana Department of Transportation Future VMT Projections, p.C-1
in docket.
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5. Section 172(c)(5)--NSR
The 1990 CAA Amendments contained revisions to the NSR program
requirements for the construction and operation of new and modified
major stationary sources located in NAAs. The CAA requires states to
amend their SIPs to reflect these revisions but does not require
submittal of this element along with the other SIP elements. The CAA
established June 30, 1992, as the submittal date for the revised NSR
programs (section 189 of the CAA).
Montana has a fully approved nonattainment NSR program, approved on
August 30, 1995 (60 FR 45051). Montana also has a fully approved PSD
[[Page 12909]]
program, approved on August 30, 1995 (60 FR 45051). Upon the effective
date of redesignation of an area from nonattainment to attainment, the
requirements of the Part D NSR program will be replaced by the PSD
program and the maintenance area NSR program.
6. Section 172(c)(7)--Compliance With CAA Section 110(a)(2): Air
Quality Monitoring Requirements
Once an area is redesignated, the state must continue to operate an
appropriate air monitoring network in accordance with 40 CFR part 58 to
verify attainment status of the area. The State of Montana operates one
PM10 SLAMS in each of the NAAs. The Thompson Falls
monitoring site meets EPA SLAMS network design and siting requirements
set forth at 40 CFR part 58, appendices D and E. In section 3.5 of the
LMP that we are proposing to approve, the State commits to continued
operation of the monitoring network.
7. Section 172(c)(9)--Contingency Measures
The CAA requires that contingency measures take effect if the area
fails to meet RFP requirements or fails to attain the NAAQS by the
applicable attainment date. Since the Thompson Falls NAA has attained
the 1987 24-hour PM10 NAAQS, contingency measures are no
longer required under section 172(c)(9) of the CAA. However,
contingency provisions are required for maintenance plans under section
175(a)(d). We describe the contingency provisions Montana provided in
the LMP section below.
8. Part D, Subpart 4
Part D, subpart 4, section 189(a), (c) and (e) requirements apply
to any Moderate NAA before the area can be redesignated to attainment.
The requirements which were applicable prior to the submission of the
request to redesignate the area must be fully approved into the SIP
before redesignating the area to attainment. These requirements
include: (a) Provisions to assure that RACM was implemented by December
10, 1993; (b) Either a demonstration that the plan provided for
attainment as expeditiously as practicable but not later than December
31, 1994, or a demonstration that attainment by that date was
impracticable; (c) Quantitative milestones which were achieved every 3
years and which demonstrate RFP toward attainment by December 31, 1994;
and (d) Provisions to assure that the control requirements applicable
to major stationary sources of PM10 also apply to major
stationary sources of PM10 precursors except where the
Administrator determined that such sources do not contribute
significantly to PM10 levels which exceed the NAAQS in the
area. These provisions were fully approved into the SIP upon the EPA's
approval of the PM10 Moderate area plan for the Thompson
Falls NAA on January 22, 2004 (69 FR 3011).
D. Has the state demonstrated that the air quality improvement is due
to permanent and enforceable reductions?
A state must be able to reasonably attribute the improvement in air
quality to permanent and enforceable emission reductions. In making
this showing, a state must demonstrate that air quality improvements
are the result of actual enforceable emission reductions. This showing
should consider emission rates, production capacities, and other
related information. The analysis should assume that sources are
operating at permitted levels (or historic peak levels) unless evidence
is presented that such an assumption is unrealistic. Permanent and
enforceable control measures in the Thompson Falls NAA SIP includes
RACM. Emission sources in the NAA have been implementing RACM for at
least 10 years.
Areas that qualify for the LMP will meet the NAAQS, even under
worst case meteorological conditions. Under the LMP option, the
maintenance demonstration is presumed to be satisfied if an area meets
the qualifying criteria. Thus, by qualifying for the LMP, Montana has
demonstrated that the air quality improvements in the Thompson Falls
NAA is the result of permanent emission reductions and not a result of
either economic trends or meteorology. A description of the LMP
qualifying criteria and how the Thompson Falls area meets these
criteria is provided in the following section.
Permanent and enforceable emission reductions in the Thompson Falls
NAA have reduced emissions 29% since the 1991 baseline. The primary
controls incorporated into the SIP included rules focused on reducing
fugitive dust emissions from roads and parking lots. Additionally, the
approved control plan satisfied the requirements for RACM of area
sources. Based on the 2017 national emissions inventory,
PM10 emissions in all source areas are below the levels
approved in the original control plan.\8\
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\8\ See Thompson Falls, MT submission in docket, Table 2.4--
Thompson Falls, MT--PM10 Emission Summary, p. 2-5.
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E. Does the area have a fully approved maintenance plan pursuant to
section 175A of the CAA?
In this action, we are proposing to approve the LMP for the
Thompson Falls NAA in accordance with the principles outlined in the
LMP Option.
F. Has the state demonstrated that the Thompson Falls NAA qualifies for
the LMP Option?
The LMP Option memo outlines the requirements for an area to
qualify for the LMP Option. First, the area should be attaining the
NAAQS. As stated above in section III. A., the EPA has determined that
the Thompson Falls NAA is attaining the PM10 NAAQS.
Second, the ADC for the past 5 years of monitoring data must be at
or below the CDV. As noted in section II.B., the CDV is a margin of
safety value and is the value at which an area has been determined to
have a 1 in 10 probability of exceeding the NAAQS. The LMP Option memo
provides two methods for review of monitoring data for the purpose of
qualifying for the LMP option. The first method is a comparison of a
site's ADC with the CDV of 98 [micro]g/m\3\ for the 24-hour
PM10 NAAQS. A second method that applies to the 24-hour
PM10 NAAQS is the calculation of a site-specific CDV and a
comparison of the site-specific CDV with the ADC for the past 5 years
of monitoring data. Table 2 below outlines the design concentrations
for the years 2015-2020 and presents the ADC.
Table 3 summarizes the wildfire related events that were excluded
from the calculated design concentrations in Table 2. Table 3 includes
all regionally concurred exceptional events, as well as values between
98 [mu]g/m\3\ and 155 [mu]g/m\3\, which were treated in a manner
analogous to exceedance data under the Exceptional Events Rule for the
purpose of determining the LMP option eligibility. The values between
98 [mu]g/m\3\ and 155 [mu]g/m\3\ remain in the AQS database for use in
calculating design concentrations for every purpose besides determining
LMP eligibility.\9\ The Exceptional Events Rule can be found in 40 CFR
50.14 and 40 CFR 51.930, and outlines the requirements for the
treatment of monitored air quality data that has been heavily
influenced by an exceptional event. 40 CFR 50.1(j) defines an
exceptional event as an event which affects air quality, is not
reasonably controllable or preventable, is an event caused by
[[Page 12910]]
human activity that is unlikely to recur at a particular location or a
natural event and is determined by the Administrator in accordance with
40 CFR 50.14 to be an exceptional event. Exceptional events do not
include stagnation of air masses or meteorological inversions,
meteorological events involving high temperatures or lack of
precipitation, or air pollution relating to source noncompliance. 40
CFR 50.14(b) states that the EPA shall exclude data from use in
determinations of exceedances and NAAQS violations where a state
demonstrates to the EPA's satisfaction that an exceptional event caused
a specific air pollution concentration in excess of one or more NAAQS
at a particular air quality monitoring location and otherwise satisfies
the requirements of section 50.14. Table 3 below includes some values
between 98 [mu]g/m\3\ and 155 [mu]g/m\3\ that were excluded for the
sole purpose of determining PM10 LMP eligibility in
accordance with the LMP guidance.\10\ Supporting documentation of EPA's
concurrence with the wildfire related events can be found in the
docket.\11\
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\9\ Update on Application of the Exceptional Events Rule to the
PM10 Limited Maintenance Plan Option, US EPA, William T.
Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy Division, OAQPS, May 7, 2009.
\10\ See Update on Application of the Exceptional Events Rule to
the PM10 Limited Maintenance Plan Option, US EPA, William
T. Harnett, Director, Air Quality Policy Division, OAQPS, May 7,
2009 and Additional Methods, Determinations, and Analyses to Modify
Air Quality Data Beyond Exceptional Events, US EPA, Richard Wayland,
Director, Air Quality Assessment Division and Anna Marie Wood,
Director, Air Quality Policy Division, April 4, 2019 memos in
docket.
\11\ February 8, 2019 letter to MDEQ, Re: Exceptional Events
Requests Regarding Exceedances of the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS
and the LMP Eligibility Threshold at Montana Monitoring Sites with
PM10 Nonattainment Areas; and November 1, 2018 letter to
MDEQ, Re: Request for EPA concurrence on exceptional event claims
for fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particulate
matter data impacted by wildfires in 2015 and 2016. See Thompson
Falls, MT submission in docket; and additional information on 2020
data can be found in the docket for this action, document titled:
Montana 2020 PM10 Letter.
Table 2--Summary of 24-Hour PM10 Design Concentrations ([mu]g/m\3\) for
Thompson Falls
[Based on data from Thompson Falls HS Site, AQS Identification Number
(30-089-0007)]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Design
Design concentration years concentration
([mu]g/m\3\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015-2017............................................ 100
2016-2018............................................ 88
2017-2019............................................ 70
2018-2020............................................ 66
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Design Concentration (of Most Recent 3 Design Concentrations) 75
[mu]g/m\3\.
Table 3--Thompson Falls 24-Hour PM10 Events Excluded From the 2015-2020
Data for the Purpose of Determining LMP Eligibility
[Based on data from Thompson Falls HS Site, AQS Identification Number
(30-089-0007)]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
24-hour value
Date ([mu]g/m\3\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-14-2016............................................ 105
8-24-2015............................................ 117
8-26-2015............................................ 135
8-27-2015............................................ 122
8-29-2015............................................ 143
8-30-2016............................................ 135
9-6-2017............................................. 251
9-7-2017............................................. 231
9-8-2017............................................. 249
9-9-2017............................................. 100
9-12-2020............................................ 168
9-13-2020............................................ 206
9-14-2020............................................ 185
9-15-2020............................................ 148
9-16-2020............................................ 103
9-17-2020............................................ 107
9-18-2020............................................ 99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Values between 98 [micro]g/m\3\ and 155 [micro]g/m\3\ were excluded by
EPA solely for the purpose of determining limited maintenance plan
(LMP) eligibility in accordance with LMP guidance. The values remain
in AQS and are still used for all other purposes (including
calculating the estimated exceedances and official design
concentrations).
The ADC for the 24-hour PM10 NAAQS for Thompson Falls,
based on data from the SLAMS monitor for the years 2016-2020 is 75
[mu]g/m\3\. This value falls below the presumptive 24-hour CDV of 98
[mu]g/m\3\ and would meet the first threshold for LMP eligibility.
In addition to having an ADC that is below the presumptive or area
specific CDV, and in order to qualify for the LMP, the area must meet
the motor vehicle regional emissions analysis test in attachment B of
the LMP Option memo. Using the methodology outlined in the memo, the
data presented in the State submission in section 3.2 and based on
monitoring data for the period 2016-2020, the EPA has determined that
the Thompson Falls NAA has a projected design concentration of 79
[mu]g/m\3\ after 10 years, attributable to motor vehicle emission
growth. This value is below the presumptive 24-hour CDV of 98 [mu]g/
m\3\ and therefore passes the motor vehicle regional emissions analysis
test. For the detailed calculations used to determine how the Thompson
Falls NAA passed the motor vehicle regional analysis test, see the
supporting documents in the docket.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ See memo to file in docket dated January 10, 2022 titled
``Memo to File--Thompson Falls, MT Motor Vehicle Regional Emissions
Analysis.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The State's submission demonstrated that the 2015-2019 monitoring
data shows that Thompson Falls has attained the 24-hour NAAQS for
PM10, and the 24-hour ADC for the area is less than the 24-
hour PM10 presumptive and area-specific CDV. The data
presented in this action demonstrates that the 2016-2020 data show that
Thompson Falls has attained the 24-hour NAAQS for PM10, and
the 24-hour ADC for the area is less that the 24-hour PM10
presumptive CDV of 98 [mu]g/m\3\. Finally, the area has met the
regional vehicle emissions analysis test for both the 2015-2019 and
2016-2020 periods of monitoring data. Thus, the Thompson Falls NAA
qualifies for the LMP Option described in the LMP Option memo. The LMP
Option memo also indicates that once a state selects the LMP Option and
it is in effect, the state will be expected to determine, on an annual
basis, that the LMP criteria are still being met. If a state determines
that the LMP criteria are not being met, it should take action to
reduce PM10 concentrations enough to requalify for the LMP.
One possible approach a state could take is to implement contingency
measures. Please see section 3.6 of the Thompson Falls LMP for a
description of contingency provisions submitted as part of the State's
submittal.
G. Does the state have an approved attainment emissions inventory which
can be used to demonstrate attainment of the NAAQS?
A state's approved attainment plan should include an emissions
inventory (attainment inventory) which can be used to demonstrate
attainment of the NAAQS. The inventory should represent emissions
during the same 5-year period associated with air quality data used to
determine whether the area meets the applicability requirements of the
LMP Option. A state should review its inventory every 3 years to ensure
emissions growth is incorporated in the attainment inventory if
necessary. In this instance, Montana completed an attainment year
inventory for the attainment year 2017 for the Thompson Falls NAA. The
EPA has reviewed the 2017 emissions inventories and determined that
they are current, accurate and complete. In addition, the emissions
inventory submitted with the LMP for the calendar year 2017 is
representative of the level of emissions during the time period used to
calculate the ADC since 2017 is included in the 5-year period used to
calculate the design concentrations (2015-2019).
[[Page 12911]]
H. Does the LMP include an assurance of continued operation of an
appropriate EPA-approved air quality monitoring network, in accordance
with 40 CFR Part 58?
The PM10 monitoring network for the Thompson Falls NAA
has been developed and maintained in accordance with federal siting and
design criteria in 40 CFR part 58, appendices D and E and in
consultation with the EPA Region 8. In section 3.5 of the Thompson
Falls LMP, Montana states that it will continue to operate its
monitoring network to meet EPA requirements.
I. Does the plan meet the CAA requirements for contingency provisions
for maintenance plans?
Section 175A of the CAA states that a maintenance plan must include
contingency provisions, as necessary, to promptly correct any violation
of the NAAQS which may occur after redesignation of the area to
attainment. As explained in the LMP Option memo, these contingency
measures do not have to be fully adopted at the time of redesignation.
As noted above, CAA section 175A requirements are distinct from CAA
section 172(c)(9) contingency measures. Section 3.6 of the Thompson
Falls LMP describes a process and timeline to identify and evaluate
appropriate contingency measures in the event of a quality assured
violation of the PM10 NAAQS. Upon notification of a
PM10 exceedance in any of the three areas, the MDEQ and the
appropriate local government will develop contingency measures designed
to prevent or correct a violation of the PM10 standard. This
process will be completed within twelve months of the exceedance
notification. Upon violating the PM10 standard, the MDEQ and
local government will determine if the local contingency measures will
be adequate to prevent further exceedances or violations. If the
agencies determine that local measures will be inadequate, the MDEQ and
local government will adopt State-enforceable measures.
The current and proposed contingency provisions in the Thompson
Falls LMP meet the requirements for contingency provisions as outlined
in the LMP Option memo.
IV. Conformity and the LMP Option
Section 176(c) of the CAA requires the conformity of federal
actions to the air quality goals of an NAA or maintenance area. Such
federal actions include actions on transportation plans, programs and
projects developed, funded, or approved by federal agencies or by
recipients of federal funds, as well as more general actions receiving
federal assistance or approval. Conformity of these two types of
actions is known, respectively, as ``transportation conformity'' and
``general conformity.'' The purpose of conformity is to ensure that
such federal actions will not produce new air quality violations,
worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the NAAQS.
The EPA's transportation and general conformity rules are found in 40
CFR part 93, subparts A and B, respectively.
The transportation conformity rule generally requires a
demonstration that emissions from the relevant projects of a
transportation plan and transportation improvement program covering a
designated area are consistent with the motor vehicle emissions budget
(MVEB or `budget') contained in the SIP or maintenance plan for that
area. The MVEB is the level of mobile source emissions of a pollutant
relied upon in the attainment or maintenance demonstration to attain or
maintain the NAAQS in the NAA or maintenance area.
Under the transportation conformity rule, designated areas meeting
the criteria for the LMP Option will not be required to satisfy the
rule's regional emissions analysis requirements (40 CFR 93.109(e)).
When the EPA approves an LMP, we are concluding that it is unreasonable
to expect that the qualifying area will experience sufficient growth
during the maintenance period that a violation of the PM10
NAAQS would result. Therefore, the EPA is concluding with an LMP
approval that the area's budget is essentially not constraining for the
duration of the maintenance period and a regional emissions analysis
will not be necessary to demonstrate conformity.
However, because LMP areas are still maintenance areas, approval of
a Thompson Falls LMP does not remove certain transportation conformity
rule requirements for transportation plans, programs, and projects. As
an isolated rural maintenance area, the Thompson Falls area will
generally be subject to the requirements of 40 CFR 93.109(g), as
modified by the requirements for LMP areas in 40 CFR 93.109(e).
Specifically, state transportation plans, transportation improvement
programs and transportation projects still must demonstrate that they
are fiscally constrained (30 CFR 93.108), are still subject to
consultation requirements (40 CFR 93.112), and projects must not
interfere with the implementation of any transportation control
measures from the applicable implementation plan (40 CFR 93.113).
Approval of the LMP option would have similar implications with
respect to general conformity. Federal actions subject to general
conformity in an LMP area will not be required to satisfy the budget
test requirement of the general conformity rule. Such federal actions
are presumed to conform under the LMP option as emissions budgets in
such areas are essentially not constraining for the duration of the
maintenance period.
V. Environmental Justice Concerns
To identify potential environmental burdens and susceptible
populations in the Thompson Falls NAA, EPA performed a screening-level
analysis using the EPA's EJSCREEN tool to evaluate environmental and
demographic indicators within the area. The tool outputs are contained
in the docket for this action. The results indicate that within the
Thompson Falls NAA, the EJ index for the National-Scale Air Toxics
Assessment (NATA) for diesel particulate matter is at the 81st
percentile compared to the rest of the State and results indicate a
low-income population of 58%, as compared to the State average of 34%
for Montana. These populations may be vulnerable and subject to
disproportionate impacts within the meaning of the executive orders
described above. Further, as the EJSCREEN analysis is a screening-level
assessment and not an in-depth review, it is possible that there are
other vulnerable groups within the Thompson Falls NAA.
As to all vulnerable groups within the Thompson Falls NAA, as
explained above, we believe that this action will be beneficial and
will tend to reduce impacts as this action, if finalized, addresses a
plan for continued attainment of the PM10 NAAQS for the
Thompson Falls NAA. When the EPA establishes a new or revised NAAQS,
the CAA requires the EPA to designate all areas of the U.S. as either
nonattainment, attainment, or unclassifiable. If an area is designated
nonattainment for a NAAQS, the state must develop a plan outlining how
the area will attain and maintain the standard by reducing air
pollutant emissions. In this action we are proposing to approve the LMP
for the Thompson Falls NAA and the State's request to redesignate the
Thompson Falls NAA from nonattainment to attainment for the 1987 24-
hour PM10 NAAQS. Approval of the LMP will contribute to the
ongoing protection of those residing, working, attending school, or
otherwise present in those areas, and we propose to determine that this
action, if finalized, will not have disproportionately high or adverse
[[Page 12912]]
human health or environmental effects on communities with environmental
justice concerns.
VI. Proposed Action
For the reasons explained in section III., we are proposing to
approve the LMP for the Thompson Falls NAA and the State's request to
redesignate the Thompson Falls NAA from nonattainment to attainment for
the 1987 24-hour PM10 NAAQS. Additionally, the EPA is
proposing to determine that the Thompson Falls NAA has attained the
NAAQS for PM10. This determination is based upon monitored
air quality data for the PM10 NAAQS during the years 2014-
2020. The EPA is proposing to approve the Thompson Falls LMP as meeting
the appropriate transportation conformity requirements found in 40 CFR
part 93, subpart A.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable
Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in
reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices,
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this
action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,
2011);
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 practicable and legally permissible methods, under
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian
reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has
demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian
country, the proposed rule does not have tribal implications and will
not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt
tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November
9, 2000).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Greenhouse gases, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental
relations, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic
compounds.
40 CFR Part 81
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, National parks,
and Wilderness areas.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: February 28, 2022.
KC Becker,
Regional Administrator, Region 8.
[FR Doc. 2022-04759 Filed 3-7-22; 8:45 am]
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