2526 Proposed revision to the State implementation plan for the Altoona 8-hour ozone nonattainment area; public hearing

Proposed Revision to the State Implementation Plan for the Altoona 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area; Public Hearing

[36 Pa.B. 7926]
[Saturday, December 23, 2006]

   Ground-level ozone concentrations above the Federal health-based standard are a serious human health threat and can also cause damage to crops, forests and wildlife. The Altoona (Blair County) 8-hour Ozone Nonattainment Area has met the health-based National ambient air quality standard for ozone based on 2003--2005 concentrations. Therefore, the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) plans to submit a request to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to redesignate this nonattainment area to attainment of the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The Department is seeking public comment on the 8-hour ozone redesignation request, the 2002 base year inventory and a State Implementation Plan revision setting forth a Maintenance Plan, which includes the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program, demonstrating that the area can maintain the health-based ozone standard for the next 10 years as required under section 175A(a) of the Federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 7505a). The Maintenance Plan, once approved by the EPA, will also establish new motor vehicle emission budgets for purposes of transportation conformity.

   This proposal is available on the Department's website at www.depweb.state.pa.us (choose ''Air Topics'') or through the contact persons listed.

   The Department will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the proposals on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, at 1 p.m. at the Blair County Courthouse, Conference Room 2B, 423 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should contact Yvette House, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105, [phone] or [e-mail] to reserve a time. Persons who do not reserve a time will be able to testify as time allows. Witnesses should keep testimony to 10 minutes and should provide two written copies of their statement at the hearing.

   Persons with a disability who wish to attend the hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceeding should contact Yvette House at [phone] or yhouse@ state.pa.us. TDD users may contact the AT&T Relay Service at [phone] to discuss how the Department can best accommodate their needs.

   The Department must receive comments no later than January 26, 2007. Written comments should be sent to the attention of J. Wick Havens, Chief, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468, [e-mail]. Use ''Altoona Ozone SIP'' as the mail addressee or in the subject line.

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 06-2526. Filed for public inspection December 22, 2006, 9:00 a.m.]