[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11863-11864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5846]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[TX 62-1-7271b; FRL-5971-8]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plan for Texas: 
General Conformity Rules

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to approve a revision to the Texas State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) for the State of Texas that contains general 
conformity rules. Specifically, the general conformity rules, if 
approved, will enable the Texas Natural Resource Conservation 
Commission (TNRCC) to review conformity of all Federal actions (see 40 
CFR part 51, subpart W--Determining Conformity of General Federal 
Actions to State or Federal Implementation Plans) with the control 
strategy SIPs submitted for the nonattainment and maintenance areas 
within the State. This proposed action would streamline the conformity 
process and allow direct consultation among agencies at the local 
levels. The Federal actions by the Federal Highway Administration and 
Federal Transit Administration (under 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit 
Act) are covered by the transportation conformity rules under 40 CFR 
part 51, subpart T--Conformity to State or Federal Implementation Plans 
of Transportation Plans, Programs, and Projects Developed, Funded or 
Approved Under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act. The EPA 
approved the Texas transportation conformity SIP on November 8, 1995 
(60 FR 56244).
    The EPA is proposing to approve this SIP revision under sections 
110(k) and 176 of the Clean Air Act (the Act). The rationale for the 
proposed approval and other information are provided in the Final Rules 
Section of this Federal Register.
    In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, the EPA is 
approving this General Conformity SIP revision as a direct final 
rulemaking without prior proposal because the EPA views this action as 
noncontroversial and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed 
rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no 
adverse comments are received in response to that direct final rule, no 
further activity is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If 
the EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be 
withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a 
subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. The EPA will not 
institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties 
interested in providing comments on this action should do so at this 
time.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received in writing, 
postmarked by April 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. Thomas H. Diggs, 
Chief, Air Planning Section, at the EPA Region 6 address listed. Copies 
of the Texas General Conformity SIP and other relevant information are 
available for inspection during normal business hours at the following 
locations. Interested persons wanting to examine these documents should 
make an appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 hours 
before the visiting day.
    Air Planning Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting 
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, 
Dallas, Texas 75202, Telephone: (214) 665-7214.
    Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Office of Air 
Quality, 12124 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753, Telephone: (512) 
239-0800.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Behnam, P. E.; Air Planning 
Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, 
Texas 75202, Telephone (214) 665-7247.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the Direct 
Final action which is located in the Rules Section of this Federal 
Register.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Hydrocarbons, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, 
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.


[[Page 11864]]


    Dated: February 9, 1998.
Jerry Clifford,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 98-5846 Filed 3-10-98; 8:45 am]
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