[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 19, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 16827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06199]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 81

[EPA-R09-OAR-2013-0135; FRL-9791-5]


Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; State of 
California; Imperial Valley Planning Area for PM10 
Clarification of Nonattainment Area Boundary

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to clarify the description of the Imperial 
Valley planning area, an area designated as nonattainment for the 
national ambient air quality standard for particulate matter with an 
aerodynamic diameter of a nominal 10 microns or less (PM10). 
EPA is not proposing to change the boundaries of the PM10 
area or the status of the area as a ``serious'' PM10 
nonattainment area but is proposing to clarify the description of this 
partial county area in the Code of Federal Regulations.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 18, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R09-
OAR-2013-0135 by one of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal, at www.regulations.gov, please 
follow the on-line instructions;
    2. Email to [email protected]; or
    3. Mail or delivery to La Weeda Ward, Air Division (AIR-1), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, 600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 
1460, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

Please see the direct final rule which is located in the Rules section 
of this Federal Register for detailed instructions on how to submit 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: La Weeda Ward, Air Division (AIR-1), 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, 600 Wilshire Blvd., 
Suite 1460, Los Angeles, CA 90017, telephone number (213) 244-1812, or 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For further information, please see the 
direct final rule, of the same title, which is located in the Rules 
section of this Federal Register. EPA is clarifying that the ``Imperial 
Valley planning area'' PM10 nonattainment area is that 
portion of Imperial County that is defined as follows: Commencing at 
the southwest corner of Imperial County and extending north along the 
Imperial-San Diego County line to the northwest corner of Imperial 
County; then east along the Imperial-Riverside County line to the point 
of intersection of the eastern boundary line of Hydrologic Unit 
18100200 \1\; then southeasterly along the eastern boundary 
line of Hydrologic Unit 18100200 to the Imperial County-Mexico 
Border; then west along the Imperial County-Mexico Border to the point 
of the beginning. EPA is publishing this action as a direct final rule 
without prior proposal because EPA views this action as 
noncontroversial and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed 
rationale for this action 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Within Imperial County, the northeastern boundary of 
Hydrologic Unit 18100200 generally follows the crestline of 
the Chocolate Mountains.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

    Dated: March 6, 2013.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2013-06199 Filed 3-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P