[Federal Register: July 20, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 138)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43325-43328]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jy04-11]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 93
[FRL-7789-6]
RIN 2060-AL73
RIN 2060-AI56
Transportation Conformity Rule Amendments for the New 8-Hour
Ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards and
Miscellaneous Revisions for Existing Areas; Transportation Conformity
Rule Amendments: Response to Court Decision and Additional Rule
Changes; Correction to the Preamble
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
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SUMMARY: EPA issued a final rule on July 1, 2004 (69 FR 40004) that
amended the transportation conformity rule to include criteria and
procedures for the new 8-hour ozone and fine particulate matter
(PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS or
``standards''). The final rule also addressed a March 2, 1999 ruling by
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
(Environmental Defense Fund v. EPA, et al., 167 F. 3d 641, D.C. Cir.
1999). The preamble to the final rule contains two errors. This notice
is intended to correct these errors. All other preamble and regulatory
text printed in the July 1, 2004 final rule is correct.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is EPA's federal partner in
implementing the transportation conformity regulation. We have
consulted with DOT on the development of these corrections, and DOT
concurs.
DATES: Effective Date: August 2, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meg Patulski, State Measures and
Conformity Group, Transportation and Regional Programs Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Road, Ann Arbor, MI
48105, patulski.meg@epa.gov, (734) 214-4842; Rudy Kapichak, State
Measures and Conformity Group, Transportation and Regional Programs
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Road,
Ann Arbor, MI 48105, kapichak.rudolph@epa.gov, (734) 214-4574; or Laura
Berry, State Measures and Conformity Group, Transportation and Regional
Programs Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000
Traverwood Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, berry.laura@epa.gov, (734) 214-
4858.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA issued a final rule on July 1, 2004 (69
FR 40004) that amended the transportation conformity rule to include
criteria and procedures for the new 8-hour ozone and fine particulate
matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS
or ``standards''). The final rule also addressed a March 2, 1999 ruling
by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
(Environmental Defense Fund v. EPA, et al., 167 F. 3d 641, D.C. Cir.
1999). The preamble to the July 1, 2004 final rule contains two errors.
This notice is intended to correct these errors.
First, the table in Section II. D. What Parts of the Final Rule
Apply to Me? (69 FR 40006-7), which lists the issues addressed in the
final rule, is incomplete and contains a number of incorrect references
to other sections of the rule. The table provides a roadmap for
determining whether a specific final rule revision included in the July
1, 2004 rulemaking would apply in your area. The table illustrates
which parts of the final rule are relevant for various pollutants and
standards.
The following is the corrected table:
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\1\ ``Subpart 1 areas'' are areas that are designated
nonattainment under subpart 1 of part D of title 1 of the Clean Air
Act. EPA also referred to these areas as ``basic'' nonattainment
areas in its April 30, 2004 final designations rule for the 8-hour
ozone standard (69 FR 23862).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issue addressed in final
Type of area rule Preamble section Regulatory section
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-hour ozone...................... Conformity grace period... III.A................ Sec. 93.102(d)
Revocation of 1-hour ozone III.B................ Not applicable.
standard.
General implementation of III.C................ Not applicable.
new standards.
Early Action Compacts..... III.D................ Not applicable.
Baseline year test........ IV.B................. Sec. 93.119(b)
Build/no-build test IV.C................. Sec. 93.119(b)(2), Sec.
(marginal classification 93.119(g)(2)
and subpart 1 areas \1\).
Regional conformity tests IV.D................. Sec. 93.119(b)(1)
(moderate and above
classifications).
Regional conformity tests V.................... Sec. 93.109(d)
(areas without 1-hour
ozone budgets).
Regional conformity tests VI................... Sec. 93.109(e)
(areas with 1-hour ozone
budgets).
Federal projects during a XIV.................. Sec. 93.102(c), Sec.
lapse. 93.104(d)
Adequacy process of XV................... Sec. 93.118(e)
submitted SIPs. XXIII.G.............. Sec. 93.118(f)
Non-federal projects XVI.................. Sec. 93.121(a)
during a lapse.
Consequences of SIP XVII................. Sec. 93.120(a)(2)
disapprovals.
Safety margins............ XVIII................ Deletes Sec. 93.124(b)
of previous rule.
Frequency................. XIX.................. Sec. 93.104(c), Sec.
93.104(e)
Latest planning XX................... Sec. 93.110(a)
assumptions.
Relying on a previous XXII................. Sec. 93.122(g), Sec.
analysis. 93.104(b), Sec.
93.104(c)
Definitions............... XXIII.A.............. Sec. 93.101
Insignificance............ XXIII.B.............. Sec. 93.109(k), Sec.
93.121(c)
Transportation plan and XXIII.D.............. Sec. 93.106(b), Sec.
modeling requirements 93.122(c)
(moderate and above
classifications).
Non-federal projects (for XXIII.F.............. Sec. 93.121(b)(1)
isolated rural areas
only).
Implementation of budget XXIII.H.............. Sec. 93.118(b)
test. XXIII.I.............. Sec. 93.118(d)
[[Page 43326]]
Exempt projects........... XXIII.J.............. Sec. 93.126
Conformity SIPs........... XXV.................. Not applicable.
PM2.5............................. Applicability............. III.A................ Sec. 93.102(b)(1)
Conformity grace period... III.A................ Sec. 93.102(d)
General implementation of III.C................ Not applicable.
new standards.
Baseline year test........ IV.B................. Sec. 93.119(e)
Build/no-build test....... IV.C................. Sec. 93.119(e), Sec.
93.119(g)(2)
Regional conformity tests. VII.................. Sec. 93.109(i)
Direct PM2.5 in regional VIII................. Sec. 93.102(b)(1)
analyses from tailpipe,
brake wear, tire wear.
Precursors in regional VIII................. No regulatory text being
analyses. finalized at this time.
Re-entrained road dust in IX................... Sec. 93.102(b)(3), Sec.
regional analyses. 93.119(f)
Construction-related X.................... Sec. 93.122(f)
fugitive dust in regional
analyses.
Compliance with SIP XI................... Sec. 93.117
control measures.
Hot-spots................. XII.................. No regulatory text being
finalized at this time.
Federal projects during a XIV.................. Sec. 93.102(c), Sec.
lapse. 93.104(d)
Adequacy process of XV................... Sec. 93.118(e)
submitted SIPs. XXIII.G.............. Sec. 93.118(f)
Non-federal projects XVI.................. Sec. 93.121(a)
during a lapse.
Consequences of SIP XVII................. Sec. 93.120(a)(2)
disapprovals.
Safety margins............ XVIII................ Deletes Sec. 93.124(b)
of previous rule.
Frequency................. XIX.................. Sec. 93.104(c), Sec.
93.104(e)
Latest planning XX................... Sec. 93.110(a)
assumptions.
Relying on a previous XXII................. Sec. 93.122(g), Sec.
analysis. 93.104(b), Sec.
93.104(c)
Definitions............... XXIII.A.............. Sec. 93.101
Insignificance............ XXIII.B.............. Sec. 93.109(k), Sec.
93.121(c)
Non-federal projects (for XXIII.F.............. Sec. 93.121(b)(1)
isolated rural areas
only).
Implementation of budget XXIII.H.............. Sec. 93.118(b)
test. XXIII.I.............. Sec. 93.118(d)
Exempt projects........... XXIII.J.............. Sec. 93.126
Conformity SIPs........... XXV.................. Not applicable.
1-hour ozone...................... Revocation of 1-hour ozone III.B................ Not applicable.
standard.
Regional conformity tests. III.B................ Sec. 93.109(c)
Build/no-build test IV.C................. Sec. 93.119(b)(2), Sec.
(marginal and below 93.119(g)(2)
classifications).
Regional conformity tests IV.D................. Sec. 93.119(b)(1)
(moderate and above
classifications).
Federal projects during a XIV.................. Sec. 93.102(c), Sec.
lapse. 93.104(d)
Adequacy process of XV................... Sec. 93.118(e)
submitted SIPs. XXIII.G.............. Sec. 93.118(f)
Non-federal projects XVI.................. Sec. 93.121(a)
during a lapse.
Consequences of SIP XVII................. Sec. 93.120(a)(2)
disapprovals.
Safety margins............ XVIII................ Deletes Sec. 93.124(b)
of previous rule.
Frequency................. XIX.................. Sec. 93.104(c), Sec.
93.104(e)
Latest planning XX................... Sec. 93.110(a)
assumptions.
Relying on a previous XXII................. Sec. 93.122(g), Sec.
analysis. 93.104(b), Sec.
93.104(c)
Definitions............... XXIII.A.............. Sec. 93.101
Insignificance............ XXIII.B.............. Sec. 93.109(k), Sec.
93.121(c)
Limited maintenance plans. XXIII.C.............. Sec. 93.101
Sec. 93.109(j), Sec.
93.121(c)
Transportation plan and XXIII.D.............. Sec. 93.106(b), Sec.
modeling requirements 93.122(c)
(moderate and above
classifications).
Non-federal projects (for XXIII.F.............. Sec. 93.121(b)(1)
isolated rural areas
only).
Implementation of budget XXIII.H.............. Sec. 93.118(b)
test. XXIII.I.............. Sec. 93.118(d)
Exempt projects........... XXIII.J.............. Sec. 93.126
Conformity SIPs........... XXV.................. Not applicable.
PM10.............................. Build/no-build test....... IV.C................. Sec. 93.119(d), Sec.
93.119(g)(2)
Hot-spots................. XIII................. No new or revised
regulatory text being
finalized at this time.
Federal projects during a XIV.................. Sec. 93.102(c), Sec.
lapse. 93.104(d)
Adequacy process of XV................... Sec. 93.118(e)
submitted SIPs. XXIII.G.............. Sec. 93.118(f)
Non-federal projects XVI.................. Sec. 93.121(a)
during a lapse.
Consequences of SIP XVII................. Sec. 93.120(a)(2)
disapprovals.
Safety margins............ XVIII................ Deletes Sec. 93.124(b)
of previous rule.
Frequency................. XIX.................. Sec. 93.104(c), Sec.
93.104(e)
Latest planning XX................... Sec. 93.110(a)
assumptions.
Horizon years in hot-spot XXI.................. Sec. 93.116
analyses.
Relying on a previous XXII................. Sec. 93.122(g), Sec.
analysis. 93.104(b), Sec.
93.104(c)
Definitions............... XXIII.A.............. Sec. 93.101
[[Page 43327]]
Insignificance............ XXIII.B.............. Sec. 93.109(k), Sec.
93.121(c)
Limited maintenance plans. XXIII.C.............. Sec. 93.101, Sec.
93.109(j), Sec.
93.121(c)
Clarification to XXIII.E.............. Sec. 93.102(b)(2)(iii),
Precursors. Sec. 93.119(f)(5)
Non-federal projects (for XXIII.F.............. Sec. 93.121(b)(1)
isolated rural areas
only).
Implementation of budget XXIII.H.............. Sec. 93.118(b)
test. XXIII.I.............. Sec. 93.118(d)
Exempt projects........... XXIII.J.............. Sec. 93.126
Conformity SIPs........... XXV.................. Not applicable.
CO................................ Build/no-build test (lower IV.C................. Sec. 93.119(c), Sec.
CO classifications). 93.119(g)(2)
Regional conformity tests IV.D................. Sec. 93.119(c)(1)
(higher CO
classifications).
Federal projects during a XIV.................. Sec. 93.102(c), Sec.
lapse. 93.104(d)
Adequacy process of XV................... Sec. 93.118(e)
submitted SIPs. XXIII.G.............. Sec. 93.118(f)
Non-federal projects XVI.................. Sec. 93.121(a)
during a lapse.
Consequences of SIP XVII................. Sec. 93.120(a)(2)
disapprovals.
Safety margins............ XVIII................ Deletes Sec. 93.124(b)
of previous rule.
Frequency................. XIX.................. Sec. 93.104(c), Sec.
93.104(e)
Latest planning XX................... Sec. 93.110(a)
assumptions.
Horizon years in hot-spot XXI.................. Sec. 93.116
analyses.
Relying on a previous XXII................. Sec. 93.122(g), Sec.
analysis. 93.104(b), Sec.
93.104(c)
Definitions............... XXIII.A.............. Sec. 93.101
Insignificance............ XXIII.B.............. Sec. 93.109(k), Sec.
93.121(c)
Limited maintenance plans. XXIII.C.............. Sec. 93.101, Sec.
93.109(j), Sec.
93.121(c)
Transportation plan and XXIII.D.............. Sec. 93.106(b), Sec.
modeling requirements 93.122(c)
(moderate and serious
classificatons).
Non-federal projects (for XXIII.F.............. Sec. 93.121(b)(1)
isolated rural areas
only).
Implementation of budget XXIII.H.............. Sec. 93.118(b), Sec.
test. XXIII.I.............. 93.118(d)
Exempt projects........... XXIII.J.............. Sec. 93.126
Conformity SIPs........... XXV.................. Not applicable.
NO2............................... Build/no-build test....... IV.C................. Sec. 93.119(d), Sec.
93.119(g)(2)
Federal projects during a XIV.................. Sec. 93.102(c), Sec.
lapse. 93.104(d)
Adequacy process of XV................... Sec. 93.118(e)
submitted SIPs. XXIII.G.............. Sec. 93.118(f)
Non-federal projects XVI.................. Sec. 93.121(a)
during a lapse.
Consequences of SIP XVII................. Sec. 93.120(a)(2)
disapprovals.
Safety margins............ XVIII................ Deletes Sec. 93.124(b)
of previous rule.
Frequency................. XIX.................. Sec. 93.104(c), Sec.
93.104(e)
Latest planning XX................... Sec. 93.110(a)
assumptions.
Relying on a previous XXII................. Sec. 93.122(g), Sec.
analysis. 93.104(b), Sec.
93.104(c)
Definitions............... XXIII.A.............. Sec. 93.101
Insignificance............ XXIII.B.............. Sec. 93.109(k), Sec.
93.121(c)
Non-federal projects (for XXIII.F.............. Sec. 93.121(b)(1)
isolated rural areas
only).
Implementation of budget XXIII.H.............. Sec. 93.118(b)
test. XXIII.I.............. Sec. 93.118(d)
Exempt projects........... XXIII.J.............. Sec. 93.126
Conformity SIPs........... XXV.................. Not applicable.
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Second, a paragraph was omitted from the end of Section XXIII.G.
Use of Adequate and Approved Budgets in Conformity (69 FR 40066). The
missing paragraph was intended to explain that we are not changing all
of the PM10 requirements in Sec. 93.109(g). We are
reprinting the entire paragraph in the regulatory section of the July
1, 2004 final rule to ensure that the Code of Federal Regulations is
updated correctly.
The following paragraph should be inserted at the end of Section
XXIII.G.:
The final rule includes some of the existing conformity rule's text
for PM10 requirements in Sec. 93.109(g) to ensure that the
Code of Federal Regulations is updated correctly. For example, Sec.
93.109(g)(3)(ii) is not being changed in this final rule, but is
affected by the reorganization of paragraph (g) in this section. EPA
notes that this and other such parts of paragraph (g) have been
addressed through past rulemakings and are not being reopened through
this final rule.
No changes are being made to the final rule language or other
preamble language published on July 1, 2004. EPA finds good cause to
make this correction notice effective less than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register. The final rule published July 1
will become effective August 2, 2004. Today's correction notice does
not make any changes to the final rule. This correction notice only
clarifies explanatory text in the preamble to the final rule which were
intended to aid conformity implementors in implementing the rule.
Therefore EPA concludes that it will be in the public interest to have
this correction notice also become effective on August 2, 2004.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.
[[Page 43328]]
Dated: July 13, 2004.
Robert D. Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 04-16449 Filed 7-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P