[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 184 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48648-48649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23597]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[CO-001-0060b; MT-001-0032b; FRL-7055-5]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans for 
Colorado and Montana: Transportation Conformity

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to take direct final action to approve 
revisions to the Colorado and Montana State Implementation Plans (SIPs) 
that incorporate consultation procedures for transportation conformity. 
The conformity rules assure that in air quality nonattainment or 
maintenance areas, projected emissions from transportation plans and 
projects stay within the motor vehicle emissions ceiling in the SIP. 
The transportation conformity SIP revisions enable the States to 
implement and enforce transportation conformity consultation procedures 
at the State level per regulations for 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 Laws. Our approval action would streamline the conformity 
process and allow direct consultation among agencies at the local 
levels. EPA is taking this action under section 110(k) and 176 of the 
Clean Air Act (Act).
    In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, 
EPA is approving the State's SIP revisions as a direct final rule 
without prior proposal because the Agency views these as non 
controversial revisions and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed 
rationale for the approval is set forth in the preamble to the direct 
final rule. If EPA receives no adverse comments, EPA will not take 
further action on this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, 
EPA will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. 
EPA will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based 
on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period 
on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action 
should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 22, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be mailed to: Richard R. Long, 
Director, Air and Radiation Program, Mailcode 8P-AR, United States 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, 999 18th Street, Suite 
300, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466.
    Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for 
public inspection during normal business hours at the following 
offices: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, 
Air and Radiation Program, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 
80202-2466; and, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Air and 
Radiation Docket and Information Center, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20460.
    Copies of the State documents relevant to this action are available 
for public inspection at: Colorado Department of Public Health and 
Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Dr. S., Denver, Colorado 80246-1530. 
Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Planning, Prevention and 
Assistance

[[Page 48649]]

Division, 1520 East 6th Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kerri Fiedler, Air and Radiation 
Program, Mailcode 8P-AR, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 
Region VIII, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466. 
Telephone number: (303) 312-6493.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the Direct 
Final action of the same title which is located in the Rules and 
Regulations section of this Federal Register.

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

    Dated: September 5, 2001.
Jack W. McGraw,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region VIII.
[FR Doc. 01-23597 Filed 9-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P