[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 36831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17203]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[TX-56-1-7391b; FRL-6372-5]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plan for Texas: 
Transportation Conformity Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the EPA, are proposing to approve a revision to the Texas 
State Implementation Plan (SIP) that contains transportation conformity 
rules. If we approve this transportation conformity SIP revision, the 
State will be able to implement and enforce the Federal transportation 
conformity requirements at the State level per 40 CFR part 51, subpart 
T and 40 CFR part 93, subpart A--Conformity to State or Federal 
Implementation Plans of Transportation Plans, Programs, and Projects 
Developed, Funded or Approved Under Title 23 U.S.C. of the Federal 
Transit Laws. Our proposed action would streamline the conformity 
process and allow direct consultation among agencies at the local 
levels. Our proposed approval is limited to 40 CFR part 51, subpart T 
and 40 CFR part 93, subpart A (Transportation Conformity). We approved 
the SIP revision for conformity of general Federal actions (under 40 
CFR part 51, subpart W) on March 11, 1998 (63 FR 11833).
    We are proposing to approve this SIP revision under sections 110(k) 
and 176 of the Clean Air Act. We have given our rationale for the 
proposed approval and other information in the Final Rules section of 
this Federal Register.
    In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of Federal Register, we 
are approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule without 
prior proposal because we view this as a noncontroversial revision and 
anticipate no adverse comment. We have explained our reasons for this 
approval in the preamble to the direct final rule. If we receive no 
adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule. 
If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw the direct final rule 
and it will not take effect. We will address all public comments in a 
subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. We will not 
institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties 
interested in commenting must do so at this time.

DATES: We must receive your comments on this proposed rule in writing, 
postmarked by August 9, 1999.

ADDRESSES: You should send your written comments to Mr. Thomas H. 
Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PDL) at the address given below. 
You may inspect copies of the State's SIP revision and other relevant 
information during normal business hours at the following locations. If 
you wish to examine these documents, you 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, 12124 Park 35 
Circle, Austin, Texas 78753, Telephone: (512) 239-1749.

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: If you wish to obtain additional 
information, you should read the Direct Final rule 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, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Particulate matter, Transportation conformity, Transportation-air 
quality planning, Volatile organic compounds.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671 et seq.

    Dated: June 9, 1999.
W.B. Hathaway,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 99-17203 Filed 7-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P