03-16027. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of Colorado; Credible Evidence

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to take direct final action approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Governor of Colorado on July 31, 2002. The July 31, 2002 submittal revises Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) Common Provisions Regulation by adding a credible evidence rule. The intended effect of this action is to make the credible evidence rule Federally enforceable. Also, the Governor's July 31, 2002 submittal contains other SIP revisions which will be addressed separately.

In the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial SIP revision and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the preamble to 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. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

DATES:

Comments must be received in writing on or before July 30, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments may be mailed to Richard R. Long, Director, Air and Radiation Program, Mailcode 8P-AR, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado, 80202. Copies of the documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air and Radiation Program, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado, 80202. Copies of the State documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Air Pollution Control Division, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, Colorado 802246-1530.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Laurel Dygowski, EPA, Region 8, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Dated: June 2, 2003.

Robert E. Roberts,

Regional Administrator, Region 8.