02-4063. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of Montana; Billings Carbon Monoxide Redesignation to Attainment and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

On February 9, 2001, the Governor of Montana submitted a request to redesignate the Billings “not classified” carbon monoxide (CO) nonattainment area to attainment for the CO National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The Governor also submitted a CO maintenance plan. In this action, EPA is proposing approval of the Billings CO redesignation request and the maintenance plan. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's redesignation request and State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision, involving the maintenance plan, as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views the redesignation and SIP revision as noncontroversial and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this proposed rule, no further activity is contemplated in relation to this rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule.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 on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

DATES:

Comments on this proposed rule must be received in writing by March 25, 2002.

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 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at the following office: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, Air Program, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tim Russ, 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 [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

For additional information see the direct final rule, of the same title, published in the rules section of this Federal Register.

Dated: January 29, 2002.

Jack W. McGraw,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region VIII.