PLEASE DELIVER IMMEDiATELY

/ .171/0 J—3_--

Date: 7/y”If # of Pgs. (including cover

sheet):

TO: 

FROM: 

C, Phone: (215)814-

CONTS:

cc/P

Ms. Dianne Franks, ChiefAir Quality and Planning Division

Air and Radiation Management Administration

Maryland Department of the Environment

2500 Broening Highway

Baltimore, Maryland 21224

Dear Ms. Franks:

This letter is to submit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) comments on the

proposed state implementation plan (SIP) revision for Transportation Conformity for Maryland,

which contains the proposed state Transportation Conformity regulations, COMAR 26.11.26.02

and 26.11.26.03.

Thank you for giving EPA the opportunity .o comment on these proposed plans. Plea.se

enter the enclosed comments into the official public record which closes on September 2, 1998.

The specific consultation processes (noted as memorandums of agreement in COM.AR

26.22.26.03) for each of the metopolitan planning organizations (MPOs), are not part of the rule.

They need to be specifically referenced in the rule.

The consultation process for the Wa.thington Metropolitan Area MPO, the Transportation

Planning Board, does not have a signature page with the signatures ofthe principle agencies

involved in the specific consultation processes.

There needs to be language that prohibits anyone who has not signed the memorandun of

agreement with the any of the MPOs mentioned in the rule from participating in the consultation

processes required by the Conformity rule.

Customer Service FIotline: 1-800-438-2474
U.S.C. or the Federal TransitAct shall 

p

pp

irnpien’zent a regionally signficant highway or transit project unless such recipient has signed

a mentorandwn of agreement with the (applicableMPO and signarories) ,which binds such

recipient to adhere to conformity criteria and procedures which comp with federal Clean Air

Acrsecrionl76(c)[42 U.S.C. 7401.7671qJ and 40 CFRParr5I, SuboartTand 40 CFR Parr 93,

Subpart A and thoseprocedures included in the (applicable memoro.rzdwn ofagreernem), regarding

EPA Rules far Transportation Conformity” that has been approved by EPA.

(b) No agency shall adopt or approve or take any action to implement or develop any

transportationplan. transportation irnprovementprogram, orfederallyfisnded or appravei

F7’AJITA highy or transitproject unless such agency has signed the (applicable mnorrdwn

ofagreement) which binds such parties to adhere to conformity criteria and procedures which

compljwirhfederal Cl nAlrAcsection 176(c) [42 U.S.C. 7401-7671 aJ and 40 CFR Part 51,

Subpart rand 40 CFR Part 93, SubparrA and chose procedures included in the (applicabk

meznorrznthon ofagreemenc), regarding EPA Rulesfor Transporrion Cotyw7nüy” that has been

approved by EPA. (

(C) Each federal agency which participate.i in determinations of conformity to state and

federal implem nration plans shall sign the (applicable memorandioiz ofagreement) which binds

such federal agency to adhere to conformity criteria and procedzres which comply withfederal

Clean AirAct secnon 176(c)(42 U.S.C. 7401-7671aJ and 40 CFR Parr 51, Subpart Tand 40 CIR

Part 93. SsebpartA and thoseprocedures inchiden’ lii the (applicable rnemoranth.an ofagrwnem),

regarding EPA Rulesfor Transportation Conformity” that has been approved by EPA.

Please feel free to contactPaul T. Wentworth of my staff at (215) 814-2183, with regad to

this or any other issue.

Sincerely,

Robert Kramer, Chief

Energy, Radiatior, and Indoor Enviornenr3nc

c.