ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[FRL-5321-5]

Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; State of Massachusetts; Change in National Policy Regarding Applicability of Conformity Requirements to Redesignation Requests

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The EPA proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Massachusetts to redesignate the Boston area from nonattainment to attainment for carbon monoxide (CO). Under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA), designations can be revised if sufficient data is available to warrant such revisions.

In addition, EPA is proposing approval of two related State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions by Massachusetts DEP. On November 15, 1993, Massachusetts DEP submitted a final 1990 base year emission inventory for CO emissions, which includes emissions data for all sources of CO in Massachusetts' CO nonattainment areas, as well as CO emissions for the entire State. On October 29, 1993, Massachusetts DEP submitted an oxygenated fuel program for the Boston consolidated metropolitan statistical area (CMSA).

In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the CO emissions inventory and the oxygenated fuels program as a direct final rule.

In addition, EPA is also approving Massachusetts' redesignation request as a direct final rule without prior proposal. A detailed rationale for the action is set forth in the direct final rule, including a modification in national policy regarding the need for a conformity SIP submission prior to redesignation of an area. If no adverse comments are received in response to that direct final rule, no further activity is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this notice. Any parties interested in commenting on this notice should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Susan Studlien, Acting Director of the Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, at the EPA Regional Office listed below. Copies of the redesignation request and the State of Massachusetts' submittal are available for public review during normal business hours at the addresses listed below.

Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460, and; Environmental Protection Agency, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wing Chau of the EPA Region I Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division at (617) 565-3240.

Dated: September 29, 1995.

John P. DeVillars, Regional Administrator, Region I.

[FR Doc. 96-1590 Filed 1-29-96; 8:45 am]

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