01-15874. Determination of Attainment for the Carbon Monoxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Metropolitan Denver; State of Colorado

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

This proposed action makes a determination of attainment for the carbon monoxide (CO) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for the metropolitan Denver CO nonattainment area which was classified as “serious.” The Denver area was required by the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990 to attain the CO NAAQS by December 31, 2000. This determination is based on complete, quality assured ambient air quality monitoring data for the years 1998, 1999, and 2000. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the determination of attainment for the carbon monoxide CO NAAQS for the metropolitan Denver CO nonattainment area as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency 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 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 If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule.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 July 27, 2001.

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:

See the information provided in the Direct Final action of the same title which is located in the Rules section of this Federal Register.

Dated: June 13, 2001.

Jack W. McGraw,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region VIII.