Pennsylvania's Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan; Available for Public Comment [38 Pa.B. 2112]
[Saturday, May 3, 2008]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, 2008, 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 eliminates the requirements for a minimum number of monitors for carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The final rule also reduces the requirements for a minimum number of PM10 particulate monitors based on population. Given additional quality assurance initiatives and a proposal for adding an air toxics monitoring component to the ambient sampling network, a reduction in the monitoring network is being proposed for 2009 to offset the additional resources required for the changes to the ambient air monitoring network.
The Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan, including the plan to reduce carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particulate monitors, is available for public comment on the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) web site at www. dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/aq/default.htm.
The Department must receive comments on the Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan by June 2, 2008. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Jeffrey Miller, Chief, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality, Division of Air Quality Monitoring, P. O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468 or jeffremill@state.pa.us (please use ''Annual Monitoring Network Plan'' in the subject line of the e-mail).
KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-837. Filed for public inspection May 2, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]
