Proposed Fine Particulate Attainment/Nonattainment Designation Recommendations; Public Meetings [34 Pa.B. 268] The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is seeking public comment on its proposed recommendations to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the designation of areas not meeting the health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulates. The EPA is expected to make final designation of these nonattainment areas in December 2004. Subsequently, the Commonwealth will be developing plans for these areas to meet the NAAQS. Reducing concentrations of this pollutant is important because levels above the health-based standard are a serious human health threat and also can cause or contribute to other negative environmental impacts.
The Commonwealth proposes to recommend to the EPA that boundaries for the designated nonattainment areas generally follow metropolitan area and county boundaries. This approach is similar to the methodology used for designating areas under the 8-hour ozone health-based standard. This proposal is available through the contact persons or on the Department's website: www.dep. state.pa.us (choose Subjects/Air Quality/Ozone/Clean Air Plans).
The Department will hold informational meetings to discuss its proposed recommendations at the following locations:
Tuesday, January 27, 2004, at 1 p.m.
Southwest Regional Office, Waterfront Room A
400 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15222Wednesday, January 28, 2004, at 1 p.m.
Department of Transportation
Riverfront Office Center
Transportation University, Room 411
1101 S. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104Thursday, January 29, 2004, at 2 p.m.
Delaware Regional Planning Commission
111 S. Independence Mall East
The Bourse Building
Philadelphia, PA 19106Persons who wish to attend a meeting should contact Susan Ferree, (717) 787-9495, sferree@state.pa.us by January 26, 2004, to speed access into State buildings. Persons with a disability who wish to attend a meeting and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceeding should also contact Susan Ferree. TDD users may contact the AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 to discuss how the Department can best accommodate their needs.
Written comments on the recommendations should be sent to J. Wick Havens, Chief, Air Resource Management Division, Bureau of Air Quality, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, jhavens@state.pa.us by 4 p.m. on February 6, 2004. Written comments and e-mail submittals must include the name, affiliation (if any), mailing address and telephone number of the interested person.
KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-57. Filed for public inspection January 9, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]
