# MDE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT 1800 Washington Boulevard • Baltimore MD 21230

Martin O'Malley Governor 410-537-3000. 1-800-633-6101

Anthony G. Brown Lieutenant Governor

June 21, 2012



### Mr. Shawn M. Garvin Regional Administrator

. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III 1650 Arch Street (3RAOO) Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 Dear Mr. Garvin: Robert M. Summers, Ph.D. Secretary



## JUN 29 2012

EPA. REGION Ill OffiCBOfREGIONAL.**ADMINI~'TRATOR** 

### RECEIVED 

## JUl2**~** 

## 2012 Division Director (3APOO)

On June 6, 2008, Maryland officiallyrequested EPA approval ofthe "Baltimore NonattainmentArea PM2.5 State Implementation Plan andBase Year Inventor" state implementationplan (SIP) revision. The planrevision demonstrated the improvements made to the air quality inthe Baltimore, Maryland Nonattainment Area ("the Area") and the efforts taken to achieve the 1997 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5 by 2009. This SIP revision for the Baltimore, MD Area included the following: (i) the attainment plan, (ii) analysis ofreasonably available control measures, (iii) attainment demonstration, (iv) contingency plans for failure to attain the air quality standard, (v) mobile source budgets, and (vi) the base year 2002 air pollutant emissions inventory. Since then air quality has significantly improved inthe Baltimore, MD Area. On May 22, 2012 (77 FR 30208), EPA determined that the Areahad attained the NAAQS and issued a clean data determination for the Area. This determination suspended the requirements for the State ofMaryland to submit attainment demonstrations and associated reasonably available control measures, reasonable further progress plans, contingency measures, and otherplanning SIPs related to attainment ofthe PM2.5 NAAQS inthe Area. The purpose ofthis letter is to withdraw these portions ofthe June 6, 2008, submittal. Specifically, the State ofMaryland hereby withdraws the (i) attainment plan, (ii) analysis ofreasonably available control measures, (iii) attainment demonstration, (iv) contingencyplans for failure to attainthe air quality standard, and (v) mobile source budgets, all ofwhich were submitted onJune 6, 2008. To ensure that Maryland has met the requirements ofSection 172(c)(3) ofthe Clean Air Act regarding inventory submittals, the State is not requesting the withdrawal ofthe base year 2002 air pollutant emissions inventory, which comprised Chapter 3 and Appendix A ofthe original June 6, 2008, SIP submission.**~** Recycled Paper www.mde.state.md.us TTY Users 1-800-735-2258 Via MarylandRelay ServiceMr. Shawn M. Garvin, Regional Administrator Page2 On a related matter, Maryland is developing a redesignation request and maintenance plan for the Baltimore, Maryland Areawith respect to the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. This request andplan, which will containmobile vehicle emissions budgets developed using MOVES2010, is expected to beready for final submittal to EPA later in 2012. Ifyou have any questions regarding this letter orrequire additional information, please contact Mr. George (Tad) S. Aburn, Jr., Director ofthe Air and Radiation ManagementAdministration at 410-537-3255, or by email, at gaburn@mde.state.md.us. Sincerely,

# /1tl7};(~ Robert M. Summers, Ph.D

. Secretary

cc: DianaEsher, Director, Air Protection Division, EPA Region III George (Tad) S. Aburn, Jr., Director, Air and Radiation Management**~** Recycled Paper www.mde.state.md.us TIYUsers 1-800-735-2258 ViaMaryland Relay Service