Pennsylvania's Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan Available for Public Inspection [37 Pa.B. 2348]
[Saturday, May 19, 2007]On October 17, 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated final amendments to the National ambient air monitoring requirements for criteria pollutants at 40 CFR Parts 53 and 58 (relating to ambient air monitoring reference and equivalent methods; and ambient air quality surveillance). See 71 FR 61236 (October 17, 2006). The EPA's final rule requires State and local agencies to enhance air monitoring to ''improve public health protection and better inform the public about air quality in their communities.'' Section 58.10 of 40 CFR (relating to quality assurance) requires that monitoring agencies adopt an annual air-monitoring network plan, and make the plan available for public inspection for at least 30 days prior to final submission to the EPA Regional Administrator. The plan, which is due July 1, 2007, must include a statement of purpose for each monitor and evidence that siting and operation of each monitor meets Federal requirements. The EPA will also provide an opportunity for review and comment prior to approving or disapproving a State's Monitoring Network Plan.
The EPA's final rule also changes requirements for the minimum number of monitors for fine particulates (particles less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameters, PM2.5) and ozone monitoring networks based on population and design values. States whose networks do not meet the newly promulgated requirements regarding the minimum number of monitors within a given area are required to submit a plan for installing additional monitors by July 1, 2007. The new monitors must be operational by January 1, 2008. The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is required to install an additional ozone monitor in each of the Lancaster, York and Reading Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
On May 15, 2007, the Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan including the plan for installing the three additional ozone monitors was made available for public comment on the Department's web site at www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/aq/default.htm.
The Department must receive comments by June 18, 2007. Written comments should be sent to the attention of George Mentzer, Chief, Field Operations and Monitoring Section, Division of Air Quality Monitoring, Bureau of Air Quality, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468 or email to gmentzer@state.pa.us. Use ''Annual Monitoring Network Plan'' as the mail addressee or in the subject line.
KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-891. Filed for public inspection May 18, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]
