[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14712-14715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6030]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R01-OAR-2012-0076; A-1-FRL-9646-2]
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;
Massachusetts; Determination of Attainment of the 1997 Ozone Standard
for the Eastern Massachusetts Nonattainment Area
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing two separate and independent
determinations regarding the Boston-Lawrence-Worcester (Eastern
Massachusetts) moderate 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. First,
based on complete, quality-assured and certified air monitoring data
for 2007-2009, EPA is proposing to determine that the Eastern
Massachusetts nonattainment area attained the 1997 8-hour National
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone as of the area's
applicable attainment date, June 15, 2010. Second, EPA is proposing to
determine that Eastern Massachusetts has attained the 1997 8-hour ozone
NAAQS, based upon complete, quality-assured and certified ambient air
monitoring data that show the area monitored attainment of the 1997 8-
hour ozone NAAQS for the 2008-2010 and 2009-2011 monitoring periods. If
this latter proposed determination is made final, under the provisions
of EPA's ozone implementation rule, the requirements for this area to
submit an attainment demonstration, a reasonable further progress plan,
contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plans
related to attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS shall be suspended
for so long as the area continues to attain the 1997 ozone NAAQS. EPA
is proposing these determinations under the Clean Air Act.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 12, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-
R01-OAR-2012-0076 by one of the following methods:
1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
2. Email: arnold.anne@epa.gov.
3. Fax: (617) 918-0047.
4. Mail: ``Docket Identification Number EPA-R01-OAR-2012-0076,''
Anne Arnold, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England
Regional Office, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (mail code: OEP05-2),
Boston, MA 02109-3912.
5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver your comments to: Anne Arnold,
Manager, Air Quality Planning Unit, Office of Ecosystem Protection,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office,
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109-3912. Such deliveries
are only accepted during the Regional Office's normal hours of
operation. The Regional Office's official hours of business are Monday
through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, excluding legal holidays.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R01-OAR-
2012-0076. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit through www.regulations.gov, or
email, information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected.
The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system,
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email
comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your
email address will be automatically captured and included as part of
the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on
the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that
you include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or
in hard copy at Office of Ecosystem Protection, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, 5 Post Office
Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA. EPA requests that if at all possible,
you contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section to schedule your inspection. The Regional Office's official
hours of business are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, excluding
legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard P. Burkhart, Air Quality
Planning Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England
Regional Office, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109-
3912, telephone number (617) 918-1664, fax number (617) 918-0664, email
Burkhart.Richard@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document whenever ``we,''
``us,'' or ``our'' is used, we mean EPA.
Organization of this document. The following outline is provided to
aid in locating information in this preamble.
I. What actions is EPA taking?
II. What is the effect of these actions?
III. What is the background for these actions?
IV. What is EPA's analysis of the relevant air quality data?
V. Proposed Actions
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What actions is EPA taking?
EPA is proposing two separate and independent determinations.
First,
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pursuant to section 181(b)(2)(A) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), and based
upon complete, quality assured and certified air monitoring data for
2007-2009, EPA is proposing to determine that the Boston-Lawrence-
Worcester (Eastern Massachusetts) moderate 8-hour ozone nonattainment
area (hereafter ``the Eastern Massachusetts area'') attained the 1997
8-hour NAAQS for ozone by its applicable attainment date, June 15,
2010. The Eastern Massachusetts nonattainment area consists of
Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk,
Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester Counties. Second, EPA is proposing to
determine that the area has attained the 1997 8-hour standard based
upon complete, quality-assured and certified ambient air monitoring
data showing attainment of the 1997 ozone NAAQS for the 2008-2010 and
2009-2011 monitoring periods.
II. What is the effect of these actions?
First, under section 181(b)(2)(A) of the CAA and the provisions of
EPA's ozone implementation rule (see 40 CFR Section 51.902(a)), EPA is
proposing to determine that the Eastern Massachusetts area attained the
1997 ozone NAAQS by its applicable attainment date of June 15, 2010.
The effect of a final determination of attainment by the area's
attainment date would be to discharge EPA's obligation under section
181(b)(2)(A), and to establish that, in accordance with that section,
the area would not be reclassified for failure to attain by its
applicable attainment date. Second, EPA is proposing to determine that
the area continues to attain the 1997 8-hour ozone standard based on
the most recent three years of complete, quality-assured monitoring
data.
If this latter proposed determination is made final, under the
provisions of EPA's ozone implementation rule (see 40 CFR Section
51.918), the requirements for the Eastern Massachusetts moderate ozone
nonattainment area to submit an attainment demonstration, a reasonable
further progress plan, section 172(c)(9) contingency measures, and any
other planning State Implementation Plans (SIPs) related to attainment
of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS would be suspended for so long as the
area continues to attain the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This proposed
action, if finalized, would not constitute a redesignation to
attainment under the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 107(d)(3), because we
would not yet have an approved maintenance plan for the area as
required under section 175A of the CAA, nor a determination that the
area has met the other requirements for redesignation. The
classification and designation status of the area would remain moderate
nonattainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS until such time as EPA
determines that the area meets the CAA requirements for redesignation
to attainment.
If this determination of attainment is finalized and EPA
subsequently determines, after notice-and-comment rulemaking in the
Federal Register, that the area has violated the 1997 8-hour ozone
standard, the basis for the suspension of these requirements would no
longer exist, and the area would thereafter have to address the
pertinent CAA requirements.
III. What is the background for these actions?
On April 30, 2004 (69 FR 23857), EPA designated as nonattainment
any area that was violating the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, based on the
three most recent years (2001-2003) of air quality data. The Eastern
Massachusetts area was designated as a moderate ozone nonattainment
area. Recent air quality data indicate that the Eastern Massachusetts
area is attaining the 1997 8-hour ozone standard.
IV. What is EPA's analysis of the relevant air quality data?
The EPA has reviewed the ambient air monitoring data for ozone,
consistent with the requirements contained in 40 CFR Part 50 and
recorded in the Air Quality Data System (AQS) database, for Eastern
Massachusetts, from 2007 through 2011.
Under EPA regulations at 40 CFR Part 50, the 1997 8-hour ozone
standard is attained at a site when the 3-year average of the annual
fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentrations at an
ozone monitor is less than or equal to 0.08 parts per million (ppm)
(i.e., 0.084 ppm, based on the rounding convention in 40 CFR Part 50,
Appendix I). This 3-year average is referred to as the design value.
When the design value is less than or equal to 0.084 ppm at each
monitoring site within the area, then the area is meeting the NAAQS.
Also, the data completeness requirement is met when the 3-year average
of the percent of days with valid ambient monitoring data is more than
90%, and no single year has less than 75% data completeness as
determined in Appendix I of 40 CFR Part 50.
Table 1 shows the fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone
concentrations for the fourteen Eastern Massachusetts area monitors for
the years 2007-2009, and the ozone design values for these same
monitors based on 2007-2009. Tables 2 and 3 show similar data for the
2008-2010 and 2009-2011 monitoring periods.
Table 1--2007-2009 Fourth-High 8-Hour Average Ozone Concentrations and 2007-2009 Design Values (Parts per
Million) in the Eastern Massachusetts Area
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Design
Site ID Site location 4th High 4th High 4th High value
2007 2008 2009 (07-09)
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250250041............................... Boston-Long Island *...... 0.072 0.072 0.075 0.073
250250042............................... Boston-Roxbury............ 0.071 0.062 0.062 0.065
250170009............................... Chelmsford................ 0.087 0.069 0.068 0.074
250051002............................... Fairhaven................. 0.075 0.080 0.069 0.074
250095005............................... Haverhill................. 0.089 0.073 0.070 0.077
250092006............................... Lynn...................... 0.088 0.078 0.073 0.079
250213003............................... Milton.................... 0.088 0.076 0.071 0.078
250094004............................... Newbury *................. 0.086 0.075 0.068 0.076
250094005............................... Newburyport **............ ......... ......... ......... .........
250070001............................... Oak Bluffs-Martha's 0.077 0.083 0.071 0.077
Vineyard *.
250171102............................... Stow...................... 0.086 0.074 0.071 0.077
250010002............................... Truro..................... 0.082 0.075 0.071 0.076
250270024............................... Uxbridge (site began in ......... ......... 0.071 .........
2009).
250270015............................... Worcester................. 0.089 0.081 0.077 0.082
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Table 2--2008-2010 Fourth-High 8-Hour Average Ozone Concentrations and 2008-2010 Design Values (Parts per
Million) in the Eastern Massachusetts Area
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Design
Site ID Site location 4th High 4th High 4th High value
2008 2009 2010 (08-10)
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250250041............................... Boston-Long Island *...... 0.072 0.075 0.070 0.072
250250042............................... Boston-Roxbury............ 0.062 0.062 0.063 0.062
250170009............................... Chelmsford................ 0.069 0.068 0.069 0.068
250051002............................... Fairhaven................. 0.080 0.069 0.077 0.075
250095005............................... Haverhill................. 0.073 0.070 0.071 0.071
250092006............................... Lynn...................... 0.078 0.073 0.072 0.074
250213003............................... Milton.................... 0.076 0.071 0.073 0.073
250094004............................... Newbury* (moved to 0.075 0.068 ......... .........
Newburyport).
250094005............................... Newburyport **............ ......... ......... 0.066 .........
250070001............................... Oak Bluffs-Martha's 0.083 0.071 0.080 0.078
Vineyard *.
250171102............................... Stow...................... 0.074 0.071 0.069 0.071
250010002............................... Truro..................... 0.075 0.071 0.078 0.074
250270024............................... Uxbridge (site began in ......... 0.071 0.071 .........
2009).
250270015............................... Worcester................. 0.081 0.077 0.070 0.076
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Table 3--2009-2011 Fourth-High 8-Hour Average Ozone Concentrations and 2009-2011 Design Values (Parts per
Million) in the Eastern Massachusetts Area
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Design
Site ID Site location 4th High 4th High 4th High value
2009 2010 2011 (09-11)
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250250041............................... Boston-Long Island*....... 0.075 0.070 0.066 0.070
250250042............................... Boston-Roxbury............ 0.062 0.063 0.060 0.061
250170009............................... Chelmsford................ 0.068 0.069 0.064 0.067
250051002............................... Fairhaven................. 0.069 0.077 0.076 0.074
250095005............................... Haverhill................. 0.070 0.071 0.066 0.069
250092006............................... Lynn...................... 0.073 0.072 0.069 0.071
250213003............................... Milton.................... 0.071 0.073 0.073 0.072
250094004............................... Newbury* (moved to 0.068 ......... ......... .........
Newburyport).
250094005............................... Newburyport **............ ......... 0.066 0.066 .........
250070001............................... Oak Bluffs-Martha's 0.071 0.080 0.078 0.076
Vineyard *.
250171102............................... Stow...................... 0.071 0.069 0.063 0.067
250010002............................... Truro..................... 0.071 0.078 0.068 0.072
250270024............................... Uxbridge (site began in 0.071 0.071 0.068 0.070
2009).
250270015............................... Worcester................. 0.077 0.070 0.065 0.070
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* Due to equipment malfunction at Oak Bluffs in 2009, sample collection error at Boston-Long Island in 2007 and
monitor relocation at Newbury in 2009, the data capture percentages for these ozone monitors were below EPA
data capture requirements for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for those years. The Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection performed a missing data analysis for each site with low data capture in accordance
with the regulatory requirements of 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix I. The Massachusetts missing data analysis used a
combination of meteorology and air quality data for ozone monitors near the sites with low data capture, for
the unmonitored days, to decisively conclude that on the days with missing ozone data, the ozone levels, if
captured, would have been below the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Thus, by rule, these days can be counted for the
purpose of meeting the data completeness requirement. The missing data analysis for these sites was approved
by EPA on December 15, 2011. The approval letter is in the Docket for this action.
** Newburyport began in 2009, but not enough data collected in 2009 to have a valid fourth high.
EPA's review of these data indicates that the Eastern Massachusetts
area attained the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS and met its applicable
attainment deadline, based on 2007-2009 data. Our review also shows
that the area continues to attain the standard, based on complete,
quality-assured and certified data for the 2008-2010 and 2009-2011
monitoring periods.
EPA is soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this
notice or on other relevant matters pertaining to this rulemaking
action. These comments will be considered before EPA takes final
action. Interested parties may participate in the Federal rulemaking
procedure by submitting written comments to the EPA New England
Regional Office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this Federal
Register.
V. Proposed Actions
EPA is proposing two separate and independent determinations.
First, under section 181(b)(2)(A) of the Clean Air Act and the
provisions of EPA's ozone implementation rule (see 40 CFR Section
51.902(a)), based upon complete, quality-assured and certified data for
2007-2009, EPA is proposing to determine that the Eastern Massachusetts
1997 8-hour ozone moderate nonattainment area attained the 1997 ozone
NAAQS by its applicable attainment date of June 15, 2010. Second, EPA
is proposing to determine that the Eastern Massachusetts area has
attained the 1997 8-hour ozone standard, based on complete, quality-
assured data for the 2008-2010, and 2009-2011 monitoring periods. As
provided in 40 CFR Section 51.918, if EPA finalizes this determination,
it would suspend the requirements for Massachusetts to submit planning
SIPs related to attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for this
area, for so long as the area continues to attain the standard.\1\
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\1\ Massachusetts submitted an attainment demonstration and
contingency measures for this area on Jan. 31, 2008. EPA has not
taken action on the attainment demonstration, but has proposed
approval of the reasonable further progress plan and contingency
measures. (See 75 FR 57221, Sept. 10, 2010.)
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VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
These actions propose to make determinations of attainment based on
air quality, and would, if finalized, result in the suspension of
certain Federal requirements, and/or would not impose additional
requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, these
proposed actions:
Are not ``significant regulatory actions'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993);
Do not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
Are 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.);
Do 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);
Do not have Federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
Are not economically significant regulatory actions based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
Are not significant regulatory actions subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
Are not subject to the 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 Clean Air Act; and
Do 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, this rule does not have tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in
the state, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: February 29, 2012.
H. Curtis Spalding,
Regional Administrator, EPA New England.
[FR Doc. 2012-6030 Filed 3-12-12; 8:45 am]
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