2016-21338. Air Quality Designations for the 2012 Primary Annual Fine Particle (PM2.5

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is establishing air quality designations in the United States (U.S.) for the 2012 primary annual fine particle (PM_2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for three areas in Georgia and 62 counties in Florida. When the EPA designated the majority of areas in the country in December 2014, and March 2015, the EPA deferred initial area designations for several locations, including these areas, because the EPA could not determine using available data whether the areas were meeting or not meeting the NAAQS, but we believed that forthcoming data in 2015 would allow the EPA to make that determination. Georgia and Florida have recently submitted complete, quality-assured, and certified air quality monitoring data for 2015 for the areas identified in this notice, and based on these data, the EPA is designating these areas as unclassifiable/attainment for the 2012 primary annual PM_2.5 NAAQS.

DATES:

This final rule is effective on October 6, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0918. All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in http://www.regulations.gov.

In addition, the EPA has established a Web site for the rulemakings to initially designate areas for the 2012 primary annual PM_2.5 NAAQS at: https://www3.epa.gov/​pmdesignations/​2012standards/​index.htm. This Web site includes the EPA's final area designations for the PM_2.5 NAAQS, as well as state and tribal initial recommendation letters, the EPA's modification letters, technical support documents, responses to comments and other related technical information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For general questions concerning this action, please contact Carla Oldham, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air Quality Planning Division, C539-04, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone [phone], email at [e-mail]. The Region 4 contact is Madolyn Sanchez, U.S. EPA, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960, telephone [phone], email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

On December 14, 2012, the EPA promulgated a revised primary annual PM_2.5 NAAQS to provide increased protection of public health from fine particle pollution (78 FR 3086; January 15, 2013). In that action, the EPA strengthened the primary annual PM_2.5 standard from 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) to 12.0 μg/m³, which is attained when the 3-year average of the annual arithmetic means does not exceed 12.0 μg/m³.

Section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 7407(d), governs the process for initial area designations after the EPA establishes a new or revised NAAQS. Under CAA section 107(d), each governor is required to, and each tribal leader may, if they so choose, recommend air quality designations, including the appropriate boundaries for “nonattainment” areas, to the EPA by a date which cannot be later than 1 year after the promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS. The EPA considers these recommendations as part of its duty to promulgate the area designations and boundaries for the new or revised NAAQS. If, after careful consideration of these recommendations, the EPA believes that it is necessary to modify a state's recommendation and intends to promulgate a designation different from a state's recommendation, the EPA must notify the state at least 120 days prior to promulgating the final designation and the EPA must provide the state an opportunity to demonstrate why any proposed modification is inappropriate. These modifications may relate either to an area's designation or boundaries.

On December 18, 2014, the Administrator of the EPA signed a final action promulgating initial designations for the 2012 PM_2.5 NAAQS for the majority of the U.S., including areas of Indian country (80 FR 2206 FR; January 15, 2015). That action designated 14 areas in six states, including two multi-state areas, as nonattainment for the 2012 PM_2.5 NAAQS. The EPA also designated three areas, including the entire state of Illinois, as “unclassifiable” because the ambient air quality monitoring sites in these areas lacked complete data for the relevant period from 2011-2013. In the absence of complete monitoring data, the EPA could not determine, based on available information, whether these areas meet or do not meet the NAAQS, and also could not determine whether these areas contribute to a nearby violation. Consistent with the EPA's “Policy for Establishing Separate Air Quality Designations for Areas of Indian Country” (December 20, 2011), the EPA designated the lands of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians in Southern California as an unclassifiable/attainment area separate from its adjacent/surrounding state areas. Except for the 10 areas discussed in the next paragraph, the EPA designated all the remaining state areas and areas of Indian country as unclassifiable/attainment.

The EPA deferred initial area designations for 10 areas where available data, including air quality monitoring data, were insufficient to determine whether the areas met or did not meet the NAAQS, but where forthcoming data were likely to result in complete and valid air quality data sufficient to determine whether these areas meet the NAAQS. Accordingly, the EPA stated that it would use the additional time available as provided under section 107(d)(1)(B) of the CAA to assess relevant information and subsequently promulgate initial designations for the identified areas through a separate rulemaking action or actions. The 10 deferred areas included: Eight areas in the state of Georgia, including two neighboring counties in the bordering states of Alabama and South Carolina; the entire state of Tennessee, excluding three counties in the Chattanooga area; the entire state of Florida; and areas of Indian country located in these areas.

In the action published on January 15, 2015, the EPA also described a process by which we would evaluate any complete, quality-assured, certified air quality monitoring data from 2014 that a state submitted for consideration before February 27, 2015 (80 FR 2209). The EPA stated that it would evaluate whether, with the inclusion of certified 2014 data, the 3-year design value for 2012-2014 suggests that a change in the initial designation would be appropriate for an area. If the EPA agreed that a change in the initial designation would be appropriate, the EPA would withdraw the designation announced in the January 15, 2015, action for such area before the effective date and issue another designation reflecting the inclusion of 2014 data (80 FR 2209).

In the follow-up designation action, published on April 15, 2015 (80 FR 18535), the EPA designated five areas in the state of Georgia, including two neighboring counties in the bordering states of Alabama and South Carolina, that were initially deferred in the EPA's January 15, 2015, rulemaking. In the same action, the EPA changed the designation of one area in Ohio, two areas in Pennsylvania, one area shared between Indiana and Kentucky, and one area shared between Kentucky and Ohio. Following that action, designations remained deferred for three areas (covering 14 counties) in Georgia, the entire state of Tennessee (covering 92 counties, excluding three counties in the Chattanooga area), the entire state of Florida (covering 67 counties), and areas of Indian country located in those areas.

II. Purpose and Designation Decisions Based on 2013-2015 Data

The purpose of this action is to announce and promulgate initial area designations of unclassifiable/attainment for the 2012 PM_2.5 NAAQS for three areas in Georgia,^[1] 62 counties in Florida, and Indian country located at least partially in these areas. All of these areas were initially deferred in the EPA's January 15, 2015, rulemaking.^[2] Since then, the states of Georgia and Florida submitted to the EPA complete, quality-assured, and certified air quality monitoring data from 2013-2015 for these deferred areas. These data provide the EPA with sufficient information to promulgate initial designations for the three areas in Georgia, 62 counties in Florida, and the associated areas of Indian country at issue in this action. Air quality data collected and submitted to the EPA for 2013-2015 for these areas indicate that the areas are attaining the 2012 PM_2.5 NAAQS and are not causing or contributing to a violation of the NAAQS in a nearby area. Therefore, the EPA is designating the three areas in Georgia as unclassifiable/attainment. Also, consistent with the EPA's practice in prior rounds of initial area designations for the 2012 PM_2.5 NAAQS, EPA is designating 62 counties in Florida as unclassifiable/attainment.^[3] Areas of Indian country located in these areas are also being designated as unclassifiable/attainment. These designations are consistent with Georgia's and Florida's recommended area designations and boundaries for these areas for the 2012 PM_2.5 standard. The tables at the end of this final rule (amendments to 40 CFR 81.310—Florida and 40 CFR 81.311—Georgia) list all areas for which the EPA has promulgated an initial designation in each of these two states. Areas of Indian country located in the listed areas are included in the designated area.

III. Environmental Justice Considerations

The CAA requires the EPA to determine through a designation process whether an area meets or does not meet any new or revised national primary or secondary ambient air quality standard. This action includes initial designation determinations for several areas of the U.S. for the 2012 annual PM_2.5 NAAQS. Area designations ensure that the public is properly informed about the air quality in an area and that, in locations where air quality does not meet the NAAQS, the relevant state authorities are required to initiate appropriate air quality management actions under the CAA to ensure that all those residing, working, attending school or otherwise present in those areas are protected, regardless of minority and economic status.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

This action is exempt from review by the Office of Management and Budget because it responds to the CAA requirement to promulgate air quality designations after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

This action does not impose an information collection burden under the PRA. This action fulfills the non-discretionary duty for the EPA to promulgate air quality designations after promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS and does not contain any information collection activities.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

This designation action under CAA 107(d) is not subject to the RFA. The RFA applies only to rules subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other statute. Section 107(d)(2)(B) of the CAA explicitly provides that designations are exempt from the notice and comment provisions of the APA. In addition, designations under section 107(d) are not among the list of actions that are subject to the notice and comment procedures of CAA section 307(d).

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538 and does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. The action implements mandates specifically and explicitly set forth in the CAA for the 2012 PM_2.5 NAAQS (40 CFR 50.18). The CAA establishes the process whereby states take primary responsibility for developing plans to meet the 2012 PM_2.5 NAAQS.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have a substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

This action has tribal implications. However, it will neither impose substantial direct compliance costs on federally recognized tribal governments, nor preempt tribal law. Areas of Indian country are being designated unclassifiable/attainment as part of this action.

The EPA offered consultation to tribal officials under the EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes early in the process to designate areas for the 2012 PM_2.5 NAAQS to permit them to have meaningful and timely input. In letters dated May 29, 2014, the EPA encouraged tribes to participate in the designations process, request consultation, and submit recommendations. The EPA again offered the opportunity for consultation in letters sent on August 19, 2014. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, which has areas of Indian country affected by this designation action, did not request consultation, nor did they provide a recommendation for designations. Therefore, the EPA did not initiate the consultation process with the tribe for this designation action.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks

The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying to those regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect children, per the definition of “covered regulatory action” in section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate health or safety risks.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution or Use

This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

This rulemaking does not involve technical standards.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

The EPA believes the human health or environmental risk addressed by this action will not have potential disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on any population, including any minority, low-income or indigenous populations because it does not affect the level of protection provided to human health or the environment. The results of this evaluation of environmental justice considerations is contained in Section III of this preamble titled, “Environmental Justice Considerations.”

K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)

This action is subject to the CRA, and the EPA will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the U.S. This action is not a “major rule” as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

L. Judicial Review

Section 307(b)(1) of the CAA indicates which Federal Courts of Appeal have venue for petitions of review of final actions by the EPA. This section provides, in part, that petitions for review must be filed in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit: (i) When the agency action consists of “nationally applicable regulations promulgated, or final actions taken by the Administrator,” or (ii) when such action is locally or regionally applicable, if “such action is based on a determination of nationwide scope or effect and if in taking such action the Administrator finds and publishes that such action is based on such a determination.”

This final action designating areas across the U.S. for the 2012 annual PM_2.5 NAAQS is “nationally applicable” within the meaning of CAA section 307(b)(1). At the core of this final action is the EPA's interpretations of the definitions of nonattainment, attainment and unclassifiable under section 107(d)(1) of the CAA, and its application of those interpretations to areas across the country. For the same reasons, the Administrator is also determining that the final designations are of nationwide scope and effect for the purposes of CAA section 307(b)(1). This is particularly appropriate because, in the report on the 1977 Amendments that revised section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, Congress noted that the Administrator's determination that an action is of “nationwide scope or effect” would be appropriate for any action that has a scope or effect beyond a single judicial circuit. H.R. Rep. No. 95-294 at 323, 324, reprinted in 1977 U.S.C.C.A.N. 1402-03. Here, the scope and effect of this final action extends to numerous judicial circuits since the designations apply to areas across the country. In these circumstances, CAA section 307(b)(1) and its legislative history calls for the Administrator to find the action to be of “nationwide scope or effect” and for venue to be in the D.C. Circuit.

Thus, any petitions for review of final designations must be filed in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit within 60 days from the date final action is published in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 81

• Environmental protection
• Air pollution control
• National parks
• Wilderness areas

Dated: August 30, 2016.

Gina McCarthy,

Administrator.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 40 CFR part 81 is amended as follows:

PART 81—DESIGNATIONS OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES

1. The authority citation for part 81 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart C—Section 107 Attainment Status Designations

2. Section 81.310 is amended by revising the table entitled “Florida—2012 Annual PM _2.5 NAAQS (Primary)” to read as follows:

§ 81.310

Florida.

* * * * *

Florida—2012 Annual PM_2.5 NAAQS

[Primary]

Designated area 1	Designation		Classification
	Date 2	Type	Date 2	Type
Statewide:
Alachua County
Baker County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Bay County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Bradford County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Brevard County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Broward County
Calhoun County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Charlotte County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Citrus County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Clay County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Collier County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Columbia County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
DeSoto County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Dixie County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Duval County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Escambia County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Flagler County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Franklin County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Gadsden County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Gilchrist County
Glades County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Gulf County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Hamilton County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Hardee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Hendry County 3		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Hernando County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Highlands County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Hillsborough County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Holmes County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Indian River County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Jackson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Jefferson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Lafayette County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Lake County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Lee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Leon County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Levy County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Liberty County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Madison County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Manatee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Marion County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Martin County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Nassau County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Okaloosa County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Okeechobee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Orange County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Osceola County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Palm Beach County
Pasco County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Pinellas County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Polk County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Putnam County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
St. Johns County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
St. Lucie County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Santa Rosa County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Sarasota County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Seminole County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Sumter County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Suwanee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Taylor County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Union County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Volusia County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Wakulla County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Walton County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
Washington County		Unclassifiable/Attainment.
1 Includes areas of Indian country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
2 This date is October 6, 2016, unless otherwise noted.
3 Includes the Seminole Tribe of Florida Big Cypress Indian Reservation in its entirety.

* * * * *

3. Section 81.311 is amended by revising the table entitled “Georgia—2012 Annual PM _2.5 NAAQS (Primary)” to read as follows:

§ 81.311

Georgia.

* * * * *

Georgia—2012 Annual PM_2.5 NAAQS

[Primary]

Designated area 1	Designation		Classification
	Date 2	Type	Date 2	Type
Statewide:
Appling County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Atkinson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Bacon County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Baker County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Baldwin County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Banks County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Barrow County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Bartow County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Ben Hill County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Berrien County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Bibb County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Bleckley County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Brantley County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Brooks County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Bryan County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Bulloch County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Burke County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Butts County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Calhoun County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Camden County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Candler County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Carroll County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Catoosa County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Charlton County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Chatham County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Chattahoochee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Chattooga County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Cherokee County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Clarke County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Clay County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Clayton County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Clinch County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Cobb County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Coffee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Colquitt County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Columbia County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Cook County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Coweta County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Crawford County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Crisp County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Dade County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Dawson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Decatur County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
DeKalb County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Dodge County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Dooly County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Dougherty County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Douglas County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Early County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Echols County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Effingham County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Elbert County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Emanuel County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Evans County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Fannin County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Fayette County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Floyd County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Forsyth County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Franklin County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Fulton County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Gilmer County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Glascock County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Glynn County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Gordon County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Grady County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Greene County
Gwinnett County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Habersham County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Hall County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Hancock County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Haralson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Harris County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Hart County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Heard County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Henry County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Houston County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Irwin County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Jackson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Jasper County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Jeff Davis County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Jefferson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Jenkins County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Johnson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Jones County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Lamar County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Lanier County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Laurens County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Lee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Liberty County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Lincoln County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Long County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Lowndes County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Lumpkin County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
McDuffie County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
McIntosh County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Macon County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Madison County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Marion County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Meriwether County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Miller County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Mitchell County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Monroe County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Montgomery County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Morgan County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Murray County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Muscogee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Newton County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Oconee County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Oglethorpe County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Paulding County	October 6, 2016	Unclassifiable/Attainment
Peach County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Pickens County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Pierce County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Pike County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Polk County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Pulaski County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Putnam County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Quitman County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Rabun County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Randolph County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Richmond County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Rockdale County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Schley County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Screven County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Seminole County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Spalding County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Stephens County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Stewart County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Sumter County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Talbot County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Taliaferro County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Tattnall County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Taylor County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Telfair County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Terrell County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Thomas County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Tift County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Toombs County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Towns County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Treutlen County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Troup County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Turner County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Twiggs County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Union County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Upson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Walker County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Walton County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Ware County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Warren County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Washington County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Wayne County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Webster County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Wheeler County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
White County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Whitfield County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Wilcox County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Wilkes County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Wilkinson County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
Worth County		Unclassifiable/Attainment
1 Includes areas of Indian country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
2 This date is April 15, 2015, unless otherwise noted.

* * * * *

Footnotes

1.  The areas in Georgia are Albany (Dougherty County); Atlanta (Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Paulding Counties); and Brunswick (Glynn County).

2.  See also the technical support documents for the deferred Georgia and Florida areas in the rulemaking docket, documents numbered EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0918-0324 and EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0918-0156 (Georgia); and EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0918-0323 and EPA-HQ-2012-0918-0332 (Florida).

3.  The EPA has used a weight-of-evidence evaluation to determine an appropriate designation for counties that are adjacent to areas that remain undesignated. See Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0918-0324, Georgia Deferred Area Memorandum, discussing certain types of counties “most likely to contribute to a violation of the NAAQS”.