03-12179. Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plan: Revisions to Tennessee State Implementation Plan: Transportation Conformity Rule

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on March 19, 2002, that contains transportation conformity rules. If EPA approves this transportation conformity SIP revision, the State will be able to implement and enforce the Federal transportation conformity requirements at the State level per EPA regulations—Conformity to State or Federal Implementation Plans of Transportation Plans, Programs, and Projects Developed, Funded or Approved Under Title 23 U.S.C. of the Federal Transit Laws. EPA's proposed action would streamline the conformity process and allow direct consultation among agencies at the local levels. EPA's proposed approval is limited to transportation conformity.

In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, the EPA is approving the State's SIP revision 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 no significant, material, and adverse comments are received in response to this rule, 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 If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this rule. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on this document. Any parties interested in commenting on this document should do so at this time.

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before June 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

All comments should be addressed to: Kelly Sheckler at the EPA, Region 4 Air Planning Branch, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960.

Copies of documents relative to this action are available at the following address for inspection during normal business hours:

Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, Air Planning Branch, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Kelly Sheckler, [phone].

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Air Pollution Control, 9th Floor L & C Annex, 401 Church Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1531.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kelly Sheckler at [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

For additional information see the direct final rule which is published in the rules section of this Federal Register.

Dated: April 29, 2003.

Stanley L. Meiburg,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.