UN ITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

The Honorable James Allen Coeur d'Alene Tribe P.O. Box 408 Plummer, Idaho 83851
Dear Chairman Allen: REGION 10 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900 Seattle , WA 98101-3140 

## AUG 1 9 2014 OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

This letter is to notify you ofthe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's preliminary decision to designate the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's area ofIndian country as unclassifiable /attainment for the 2012 revised primary annual fine particle (PM2 .s) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and to inform you ofour approach for completing the designations. Although your involvement is not required, we would like to invite you to participate in the designations process and to offer you consultation.
On December 14, 2012 , the EPA promulgated a revised primary annual PM2

.sNAAQS (78 FR 3086, January 15, 20 13). In that action, the EPA revised the primary annual PM2

.s standard, strengthening it from 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter ()..lg/ m3) to 12.0 )..lg/ m3 ; retained the existing 24-hour PM2.s standard at 35 )..lg/m3 ; retained the existing 24-hour PM10(coarse particle) standard at 150 )..lg/m3 ; and retained the current suite of secondary PM standards. The EPA revised the primary annual PM2

.s standard based on an integrated assessment ofan extensive body ofnew scientific evidence, which substantially strengthens our body ofknowledge regarding PM2 .s-related health effects. The revised primary annual PM2

.s standard will provide increased protection for children, older adults, persons with pre-existing heart and lung disease, and other at-risk populations against an array ofPM2.s-related adverse health effects, including premature mortality, increased hospital admissions and emergency department visits, and development and exacerbation ofchronic respiratory disease. History shows us that better health and cleaner air go hand-in-hand with economic growth. Working closely with the states and tribes, the EPA is implementing the standards using a commonsense approach that improves air quality and minimizes the burden on state, local, and tribal governments. As part of this routine process, the EPA is working with the states and tribes to identify areas in the country that meet the standards and those that need to take steps to reduce PM2

.s air pollution. Within one year of promulgating a new or revised air quality standard, the Clean Air Act requires the Governor ofeach state to submit to the EPA a list ofall areas in the state, with recommendations for whether each area meets the standard. Although tribes are not required to submit recommendations, the EPA encourages tribes to participate in the designations process, and provides them with an opportunity to submit recommendations ifthey choose to do so.Participating tribes are requested to follow the same schedule as states, ifpossible. States and tribes were asked to submit their designation recommendations, including appropriate area boundaries, by December 13 , 2013.
In a letter dated June 2, 2014, the EPA encouraged you to participate in the designations process, request consultation, and submit recommendations ifyou chose to do so. We did not receive a recommendation letter or consultation request from you. However, because the EPA is required to designate all areas of the country, we intend to promulgate an appropriate designation for your area ofIndian country. This is not the final step in the designation process, and you still have time to provide air quality infonnation to the EPA and request consultation. More information regarding this designation is included below.
As required by the Clean Air Act, the EPA promulgates designations for all areas across the country. The EPA designates an area as "nonattainment" ifit is violating the NAAQS or ifit is contributing to a violation ofthe NAAQS in a nearby area. Consistent with designations for previous PMz.s standards, the EPA intends to use a designation category of"unclassifiable/attainment" for areas that are monitoring attainment or do not have monitors, but for which the EPA has reason to believe are likely attainment and are not contributing to nearby violations. Additionally, the EPA intends to designate as

"unclassifiable" those areas where the EPA either cannot determine based on available information whether the area is meeting the NAAQS, or has not determined whether the area contributes to a nearby violation. At this time, the EPA is proceeding with intended initial area designations using qualityassured, certified air quality monitoring data from 2011 to 2013.
After considering relevant technical information, including 2011-2013 air quality data, the EPA intends to designate your area ofIndian country as unclassifiable/attainment. These data do not indicate any violation ofthe 2012 annual PMz

.s NAAQS in the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's area oflndian country or contribution to any nearby area. Ifyou have additional information that the EPA should consider, we ask that you submit it to us by October 29, 2014.
Please notify us by September 29, 2014 ifyou are interested in consulting with us regarding the designations process. When requested, consultation will be conducted in accordance with the EPA Polic y on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (www.epa.gov/tribal/consultation/consultpolicy.htm).
The EPA will make its preliminary designation decisions and supporting documentation available to the general public for review and comment. We will be announcing a 30-day public comment period shortly in the Federal Regist er. After considering additional information we receive, the EPA plans to promulgate final annual PMz

.s designations in December of2014.
The EPA is committed to working with the states and tribes to share the responsibility ofreducing PMz.s air pollution. Current and upcoming federal standards and safeguards- including pollution reduction rules for power plants, vehicles, and fuels- will assure steady progress to reduce PMz. s-forming pollution and will protect public health in communities across the country. We look forward to working together with you and your staffto implement the 2012 annual PMz.s standard.Ifyour tribe is interested in consultation or participating in further discussions or meetings with the EPA officials about the designations process, please do not hesitate to contact me or Justin Spenillo ofmy staff at 206

-553-6125, spenillo.justin@ epa.gov.

cc: Alfred Nomee, Natural Resource Director Coeur d'Alene Tribe
Lester C. Higgins, Air Quality Manager Coeur d 'Alene Tribe Sincerely,

cLerran Regional Administrator

Janet G. McCabe, Acting Assistant Administrator Office ofAir and Radiation Stephen D. Page, Director Office ofAir Quality Planning and Standards