[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 12, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77544-77545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31615]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 81

[Docket WA-00-01; FRL-6915-5]


Clean Air Act Reclassification; Wallula, Washington Particulate 
Matter (PM10) Nonattainment Area

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or we).

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: EPA is reopening the public comment period on EPA's notice of 
proposed rulemaking ``Clean Air Act Reclassification; Wallula, 
Washington Particulate Matter (PM10) Nonattainment Area,'' 
published on November 16, 2000 at 65 FR 69275. The original comment 
period closed on December 1, 2000. The new comment period will begin 
today and end on December 27, 2000. EPA is

[[Page 77545]]

also announcing that there will be an informational meeting to present 
an overview of the issues involved in the proposal and to provide an 
opportunity for the public to ask questions regarding the proposal.

DATES: All comments regarding EPA's proposed rulemaking published on 
November 16, 2000 must be received in writing on or before close of 
business on December 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Donna Deneen, EPA, Region 10, 
Office of Air Quality (OAQ-107), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 
98101. You may view documents supporting this action during normal 
business hours at the following location: EPA, Office of Air Quality 
(OAQ-107), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Deneen, EPA Region 10, Office of 
Air Quality, at (206) 553-6706.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 16, 2000, we solicited public 
comment on a proposal to find that the Wallula nonattainment area has 
not attained the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate 
matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 10 microns 
(PM10) by the attainment date of December 31, 1997, as 
required by the Clean Air Act. If EPA takes final action on this 
proposal, the Wallula PM10 nonattainment area will be 
reclassified by operation of law as a serious PM10 
nonattainment area. See 65 FR 69275. In the proposal, we stated that 
EPA would accept public comments on the proposal until December 1, 
2000.
    During the public comment period that ended December 1, 2000, 
numerous commenters asked for an extension of the public comment 
period. In light of the significant public interest in the proposal, as 
evidenced by the letters EPA has received to date, we are extending the 
public comment period to December 27, 2000, to provide additional time 
for interested parties to submit written comments. All written comments 
received by EPA by December 27, 2000, will be considered in our final 
action.
    In addition, based on the strong public interest in the proposal, 
there will be an informational meeting regarding the proposal. The 
meeting, which has not yet been scheduled, will provide an opportunity 
for EPA to explain to the community the basis for its proposal and an 
opportunity for the community to ask questions of EPA. Comments on the 
proposal must be submitted in writing to the EPA address listed above 
on or before December 27th, 2000. There will also be an opportunity to 
submit written comments at the informational meeting. The time, date, 
and location of the informational meeting will be announced in local 
newspapers.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 81

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Intergovernmental 
relations, Particulate matter.

    Dated: December 4, 2000.
Randall F. Smith,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 10.
[FR Doc. 00-31615 Filed 12-11-00; 8:45 am]
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