03-4517. Approval and Promulgation of State Plans for Designated Facilities; Virgin Islands

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a negative declaration submitted by the Government of the United States Virgin Islands. The negative declaration satisfies EPA's promulgated Emission Guidelines (EG) for existing commercial and industrial solid waste incineration (CISWI) units. In accordance with the EG, states are not required to submit a plan to implement and enforce the EG if there are no existing CISWI units in the state and it submits a negative declaration letter in place of the State Plan. In the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the Virgin Islands submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in 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. The 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:

Written comments must be received on or before March 31, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

All comments should be addressed to: Raymond Werner, Chief, Air Programs Branch, Environmental Protection Agency, Region II Office, 290 Broadway, New York, New York 10007-1866.

A copy of the Virgin Islands submittal is available for inspection at the Region 2 Office in New York City. Those interested in inspecting the submittal must arrange an appointment in advance by calling [phone]. Alternatively, appointments may be arranged via e-mail by sending a message to Demian P. Ellis at [e-mail]. The office address is 290 Broadway, Air Programs Branch, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866.

A copy of the Virgin Islands submittal is also available for inspection at the following location:Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Protection, Cyril E. King Airport, Terminal Building, 2nd Floor, St. Thomas, USVI, 00802.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Demian P. Ellis, Air Programs Branch, Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866, Telephone, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

For additional information see the direct final rule which is located in the Rules Section of this Federal Register.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a negative declaration submitted by the Government of the United States Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands) on October 25, 2002. The negative declaration officially certifies to EPA that, to the best of the Virgin Islands' knowledge, there are no commercial and industrial solid waste incineration (CISWI) units in operation within the Territory. This negative declaration concerns existing CISWI units throughout the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The negative declaration satisfies the Federal Emission Guidelines (EG) requirements of EPA's promulgated regulation entitled “Emission Guidelines for Existing Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units' (65 FR 75338, December 1, 2000).

Dated: February 11, 2003.

Jane M. Kenny,

Regional Administrator, Region 2.