481 Proposed revision to the State implementation plan for sulfur dioxide for the Warren County nonattainment areas; proposed maintenance plan and request for redesignation to attainment; public hearing

Proposed Revision to the State Implementation Plan for Sulfur Dioxide for the Warren County Nonattainment Areas; Proposed Maintenance Plan and Request for Redesignation to Attainment; Public Hearing

[34 Pa.B. 1631]

   Sulfur dioxide concentrations above the Federal health-based standard are a serious human health threat and also contribute to other environmental problems such as visibility impairment, acid rain and crop and forest damage. A review of the ambient air quality data shows that the Warren County sulfur dioxide nonattainment areas (Conewango Township, Pleasant Township, Glade Township and City of Warren) are achieving the annual and 24-hour health based sulfur dioxide primary standards and the 3-hour secondary standard. Therefore, the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) plans to submit a request to the United States Environmental Protection Agency to redesignate the Warren County sulfur dioxide nonattainment areas to attainment. The Department will also request that the status of Mead Township and Clarendon Borough be changed from ''cannot be classified'' to ''better than National standards'' for sulfur dioxide. The Department is seeking public comment on this request and on a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision setting forth a maintenance plan for the next 10 years as required under section 175A(a) of the Federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 7505a(a)).

   This proposal is available through the following contact person or on the Department's website: www.dep.state. pa.us (Subjects/Air Quality/Regs Plans/Clean Air Plans).

   The Department will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the SIP revision on Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at 1 p.m. in the Fleur De Lis Meeting Room, Holiday Inn, 210 Ludlow Street, Warren, PA 16365.

   Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should reserve a time by contacting Susan Ferree, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105, [phone], [e-mail]. 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 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 proceedings should contact Wick Havens, [phone]. TDD users should contact the AT&T Relay Service at [phone] to discuss how the Department can best accommodate their needs.

   Written comments should be sent by 12 p.m. on April 23, 2004, to Wick Havens, Chief, Division of Air Resource Management, Bureau of Air Quality, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468.

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-481. Filed for public inspection March 19, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]