ST, 4 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION IX k PRO 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 95105-3901

OFFICEOFTHE 

## MmY 2 2 2014

Ruben Barrios Chairperson SantaRosaRancheria Post Office Box 8 Lemoore. California 93245 Dear Chairperson Barrios: The purpose ofthis letteris to provide you with information concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) designations process forthe 2012 primary annual PM 2

. 5 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). YourTribe may find it importantto engage with us in the process of assigning designations for Indian country. Although yourinvolvement is notrequired, we would like to invite you to participate in the designations process andto offeryou consultation. We want to ensure transparent and effective communication in developing area designations forthe revised PM 2

. 5 

### NAAQS. Arearecommendations forthe PM 25 NAAQS were dueto EPA on December 13, 2013; however, EPA is prepared to accept designation recommendations via letter from tribal leaders until June 13. 2014. On December 13, 2012, EPA revised the PM 2

. 5 NAAQS to increase protection ofpublic health from fine particle pollution. The annual PM 25 standardwas strengthened from 15 ug/m 3 to 12 ug/m 3

. Establishing initial area designations is akey step in the process ofproviding the health and/orwelfareprotection intendedby the Clean AirAct (CAA). Within two years ofpromulgation ofanew orrevisedNAAQS, EPA must list and designate all areas in the country as either: Attainment

- areas thatmeetthe standard; Nonattainment

- areas that either do not meetthe standard, or are contributing to a nearby area that does notmeetthe standard; or Unclassifiable

- areas where there is insufficient information to make a determination as to attainment. These designations are based on current air quality information, recommendations from state governors and tribal leaders, and otherrelevant information as discussed in the April 2013 designations guidance. InitialAreaDesignations fbrthe 2012 RevisedPrimaryAnnualFine ParticleNationalAmbientAir Quality Standard. The guidance is available on the EPA’s PM Designations website at htJvvLp I tox/pmdsinati

### uns/2Ol2stand4b/o/1l2i 11201 3utt1danLpd1 Additional information about developing tribal air quality designations is available in the September2013 document, DevelopingDesignation Recommenclationsfi)rAreas ofIndian Country, which is available here: v Lpjjo//an t ih il pdt DL’ .Ll)Lswn_ItImRL.ommc.ndttionhHInd1IH( in\j11 We are sending you this letterbecause we believe that yourTribe’s area ofIndian country maybe in nonattainment forthe 2012 PM 2

. 5 NAAQS and you maywantto engage withus through the consultation P,iiilcd oii Rccvcled Pupeiprocess. We will keep you informed as we finalize designations for your Tribe’s area and invite and encourage you to participate. Please notify us by June 13, 2014 if you are interested in consulting with us regarding a recommended designation. When requested, consultation will he conducted in accordance with the EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (\v\\w.epa.gov/trihal/c onsultaucmlconsult—polacy.htrn). We plan to formally announce our intended designations for all areas by August 14. 2014. At that time we will send another letter to you with our intended designation and offer an additional opportunity to consult with us on the proposed designation status of your Tribe’s area of Indian country. In accordance with section 107(d)(1)(B) of the CAA, we are required to issue final designations for the PM 75 NAAQS no later than December 12, 2014. Our designations will be based on the most recent three calendar years of certified, quality-assured monitoring data available, and any other relevant information. As the designation process moves forward, we will keep you informed of any additional guidance or other support activities. We look forward to working with you to develop area designations under the PM 2 . 5 NAAQS in a timely manner. If your Tribe is interested in consultation or has questions about the designations process, please do not hesitate to contact me or Kerry Drake, Associate Director, Air Division, of my staff, at 415-947-4157 or drake.kerryacpa.uo. Sincerely, Enclosure cc: Allan Berna, Environmental Director

### 2012 PM 2 • 5 

### NAAQS Tribal Designations Schedule
Action Date Recommendations forthe PM 25 NAAQS due December 13, 2013 to EPA (original deadline). Advance consultation opportunity offeredto Late May 2014 (uponreceipt ofletter) tribal leaders. Deadlineto request advancetribal consultation. June 13, 2014 Optional tribal recommendations forthe PM 2

. 5 June 13, 2014 NAAQS due to EPA (extended deadline). Advance tribal consultation takes place. June

- 

### July, 2014 EPA announces intended designations, August 14, 2014 additional consultation opportunity offeredto tribal leaders. Additional consultationtakes place. September

- 

### October, 2014 EPA issues final PM 75 designations. December 12, 2014