02-25288. Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of Montana: General Conformity

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing approval of revisions to the Montana State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by Governor of Montana on August 26, 1999. The revisions adopt Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM), Sub-Chapter 14, “Conformity of General Federal Actions,” Sections 17.8.1401 and 17.8.1402, into the SIP. EPA is taking this action under section 110 and 176 of the Clean Air Act (Act). The conformity rules assure that in air quality nonattainment or maintenance areas projected emissions stay within the emissions ceiling in the SIP. The rules for conformity of general Federal actions assure that actions of Federal agencies that take place in nonattainment or maintenance areas, other than transportation actions, are consistent with the goals of the Montana SIP.

In the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP revisions as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views these as non-controversial revisions 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 on this action should do so at this time.

DATES:

Comments must be received in writing on or before November 6, 2002.

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 during normal business hours at the following offices: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, Air and Radiation Program, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466; and, Air and Radiation Docket and Information, Room B-108, United States Environmental Protection Agency, (Mail Code 6102T), 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460.

Copies of the State documents relevant to this action are available for public inspection at: Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Planning, Prevention and Assistance Division, 1520 East 6th Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeffrey Kimes, 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 and Regulations section of this Federal Register.

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

Dated: September 12, 2002.

Jack McGraw,

Acting Regional Administrator, Region VIII.