UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION4

The Honorable William Harris Chief Catawba Indian Nation 996 Avenue ofthe Nations Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730 Dear ChiefHarris: ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 61 FORSYTH STREET ATLANTA. GEORGIA 30303-8960 

## MAY 2 9 2014

Thepurpose of this letter 

### is to provide you with additional infonnation concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's designations process for the 2012 primary annual PM2.5national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). Your tribe may wish to engage with us 

### in the process of assigning designations for Indian country. Although your involvement is not requimi, we would like to invite you to participate in the designations process and to offer you consultation. Area recommendations for the PMuNAAQS were due to the EPA on December 13, 2013; however, the EPA is prepared to accept designation recommendations from tribal leaders until June 13,2014. In the event additional consultation is needed we will remain available throughout completion ofthe designations process. We want to ensure early, transparent and effective communication 

### in developing area designations for the revised annual PM2.s standard. On December 13,2012,the EPArevised the primary annual NAAQS for PMl.s to provide increased protection ofpublic health from fine particle pollution
. The new annual PM2.5 standard was strengthened from 15 uglm 3 to 12 uglm 3• Establishing initial area designations is a key step in the process of providing the health and/or welfare protection intended by the Clean 

### Air Act (CAA). Within two years of promulgation ofa new orrevised NAAQS, the EPA must list and designate all areas 

### in the country as one ofthe following:

• Attainment- areas that meet the standard; • Nonattainment

- areas that either do not meet the standard or are contributing to a nearby area that does not meet the standard; or • Unclassifiable- areas where there is insufficient information to make a determination as to attainment In accordance with section 107(d)(l)(B) ofthe CAA, we are required to issue final designations for the primary annual PM2
.sNAAQS no later than December 12, 2014. Our designations will bebased on the most recent three calendar years ofcertified, quality·assured monitoring data available, recommendations from state governors and tribal leaders, and any other relevant information as discussed in the April 2013 designations guidance onInitialAreaDesignations for the 2012 Revised PrimaryAnnualFine ParticleNationalAmbientAir Quality Standard. The guidance is CUirently available on the EPA's PM Designations website at
Internet Address (URL) • http://www epa.gov RecyledJRecyclable • Printed with Vegetable**0~** Based Inks on Recycled Paper (M nimum 30% Postconsurner)http://www
.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2012standards/docs/april2013guidance
.pdf
. Additional information about developing tribal air quality designations is available in the September 2013 document Developing Designation Recommendations forAreas of Indian Country, which is available here: http:/**/www.epa.gov/air/triballpdfs/Develop~gaDesignationRccommendationforlndianCountry.pdf.** We wiD keep you informed 

### as we finalize designations for your tribe's 

### area. Please notify 

### us by June 13, 2014, if you are interested in consulting with 

### us regarding a recommended designation. When requested, consultation will be conducted 

### in accordance with the EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (www.epa..gov/tribal/consultationlconsult-policy.htm)
. We plan to formally armounce our intended designations for all areas by August 14,2014. At 

### that time we will send another letterto you with ourintended designation and offer an additional opportunity to consult with 

### us on any modifications the EPA proposes to the designation status ofyour tribe's 

### area of Indian country. As the designations process moves forward, we will 

### keep you informed ofany additional guidance or other support activities. We look forward to working with you to develop 

### area designations under the revised annual PM2.s NAAQS in a timely manner. Ifyour tribe isinterested in consultation orhas questions about the designations process, please do not hesitate to contact me or Beverly H. Banister, Director, 

### Air Pesticides and Toxics Management Division at (404) 562-9077, orhave your 

### staffcontact Scott Davis, Chief, 

### Air Planning Branch at (404) 562-9127
.

cc: Darin Steen, Director Environmental Services 

# a**HeatherM~** Regional Administrator