00-13335. Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Ohio

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to approve an October 6, 1999, request from Ohio for a revision to the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP) which governs transportation conformity. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving as described herein, the State's SIP revision, as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial revision and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If we receive no adverse comments in response to that direct final rule we plan to take no further activity in relation to this proposed rule. If EPA receives significant adverse comments, in writing, which have not been addressed, we will withdraw the direct final rule and address all public comments received in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on this document.

DATES:

Written comments must be received on or before June 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Send written comments to: J. Elmer Bortzer, Chief, Regulation Development Section, Air Programs Branch, (AR-18J), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60604.

You may inspect copies of the documents relevant to this action during normal business hours at the following location: Regulation Development Section, Air Programs Branch, (AR-18J), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60604.

Please contact Patricia Morris at [phone] before visiting the Region 5 office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Patricia Morris, Environmental Scientist, Regulation Development Section, Air Programs Branch (AR-18J), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Throughout this document wherever “we,” “us,” or “our” are used we mean EPA.

This Supplementary Information section is organized as follows:

What action is EPA taking today?

Where can I find more information about this proposal and the corresponding direct final rule?

What Action Is EPA Taking Today?

In this action, we are proposing to approve a revision to the Ohio State Implementation Plan for transportation conformity. The transportation conformity SIP revisions enable the State of Ohio to implement and enforce the Federal transportation conformity requirements at the State or local level. The amendments to Ohio Administrative Code reflect the third set of EPA revisions to the federal transportation conformity rules. These rule changes will assure conformity of transportation improvement programs, transportation plans and transportation projects to the State Implementation Plan (SIP). EPA is only approving certain sections of the rules submitted by Ohio for transportation conformity.

Where Can I Find More Information About This Proposal and the Corresponding Direct Final Rule?

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

Dated: April 14, 2000.

Elissa Speizman,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5.