03-854. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program-Request for Delay in the Incorporation of On-Board Diagnostics Testing

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maryland. The purpose of this SIP is to request a six-month extension of the Federal deadline for incorporating checks of On-board Diagnostic (OBD) systems on 1996-and-newer vehicles to Maryland's motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program. EPA's I/M requirements regulations required states to add OBD checks to their I/M programs by January 1, 2002. However, states had the option to submit a request to EPA for a delay, of up to one additional year, of the deadline to add OBD system checks to the I/M program. Maryland's SIP revision contains a request for a six-month delay, or until July 1, 2002.

In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving Maryland's SIP request as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial request and anticipates no adverse comments. A more detailed description of Maryland's request and a detailed rationale for EPA's granting of the requested deadline extension is set forth in the direct final rule.

If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

DATES:

Comments must be received in writing by February 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments should be addressed to Robert Kramer, Acting Chief, Air Quality Planning and Information Services, Mailcode 3AP21, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. These documents are also available from the Maryland Department of the Environment, 2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, Maryland, 21224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Janet C. Kremer, [phone], or by e-mail at [e-mail]. Please note that while questions may be posed via telephone and e-mail, formal comments must be submitted in writing, as indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

For further information, please see the information provided in the direct final action, with the same title, that is located in the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register publication. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

Dated: December 23, 2002.

Judith M. Katz,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.