97-7689. Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plan for New Mexico: General Conformity Rules

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7689]



[[Page 14382]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52

[NM22-1-7103b; FRL-5709-7]


Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plan for New Mexico: 
General Conformity Rules

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to approve a revision to the New Mexico 
State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the State of New Mexico that 
contains general conformity rules. Specifically, the general conformity 
rules, if approved, will enable the New Mexico Environment Department 
to review conformity of all Federal actions (See 40 CFR part 51, 
subpart W--Determining Conformity of General Federal Actions to State 
or Federal Implementation Plans) with the control strategy SIPs 
submitted for the nonattainment and maintenance areas within the State 
outside the boundaries of Bernalillo County. This proposed action would 
streamline the conformity process and allow direct consultation among 
agencies at the local levels. The Federal actions by the Federal 
Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration (under Title 
23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act) are covered by the transportation 
conformity rules under 40 CFR part 51, subpart T--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 Act.
    The EPA is proposing to approve this SIP revision under sections 
110(k) and 176 of the Clean Air Act (the Act). The rationale for the 
proposed approval and other information are provided in the Final Rule 
Section of this Federal Register.
    In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, the EPA is 
approving this General Conformity SIP revision as a direct final 
rulemaking without prior proposal because the EPA views this action 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 that direct final rule, no 
further activity is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If 
the 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. The EPA will not 
institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties 
interested in providing comments on this action should do so at this 
time.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received in writing and 
postmarked by April 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the New Mexico General Conformity SIP and other 
relevant information are available for inspection during normal 
business hours at the following locations. Interested persons wanting 
to examine these documents should make an appointment with the 
appropriate office at least 24 hours before the visiting day.

Air Planning Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting 
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, 
Dallas, Texas 75202, Telephone: [phone].
Air Quality Bureau, New Mexico Environment Department, 1190 St. Francis 
Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502, Telephone: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Behnam, P.E.; Air Planning 
Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, 
Texas 75202, Telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the 
Direct Final rule which is located in the Rules Section of this 
Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Hydrocarbons, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Particulate matter, Volatile organic compounds.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.

    Dated: March 4, 1997.
Jerry Clifford,
Acting Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-7689 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
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