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## 22 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 2 290 BROADWAY NEWYORK, NY 10007·1866

Honorable Jon S. Corzine Governor ofthe State ofNew Jersey Office ofthe Governor PO Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625

Dear Governor Corzine:
I am writing you today to provide you with informa1ion onthe process for designating
areas inNew Jersey that meet ormay not meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) health-relatedNational Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead. In orderto protect the public health and welfare EPA periodically evaluates health studies and where appropriate, revises its National Ambient Air Quality Standards accordingly. On October IS, 2008 EPA promulgated amore stringent air quality standard for lead. This new standard is based onthe most recent scientific studies andprovides additional protection against adverse health effects associated with exposure to airborne lead. To provide increased protection against lead-related welfare effects, EPA also revised the welfare-related secondary standard to be identical in all respects to the more stringenthealth-related standard.
The next step in implementing the revised lead National AmbientAir Quality Standard is for each state to recommendto EPA those areas in the statethatmeet or may not meetthis more stringent air quality standard for lead. The process for designating areas is contained in Section 107(d)(l) ofthe Clean Air Act. This section ofthe Clean Air Act provides aprocess for each governorto recommend "attainment", "nonattainment", or "unclassifiable" designations, with appropriate boundaries, to the EPA and requires that these recommendations be submitted to EPA within one yearofapromulgation ofarevised National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Therefore, we ask that you provide your recommendations to EPA for all areas inNew Jersey by October 15,2009.
Once EPA receives and evaluates yourrecommendation it may propose modifications to the recommended designations and boundaries. EPA will notifY states by rio later than 120 days priorto promulgating its final designations, ofany proposed modifications. You would then have the opportunity to comment on any modification that EPA proposes to New Jersey's original designation recommendation.
Ihave enclosed with this letter additional guidanceto states, local airpollution control agencies and Indian tribes on the time frame and process for designating areas underthe revised lead standard. EPA plans to announce ourproposed designations as early as possible, but no laterthan 120 days priorto promulgating initial designations. As previously mentioned

- this 120 day period is established to allow states an opportunity to review and commentupon any changes EPA proposes to make to your original recommendation.

InternetAddre

.. (URL). http://www.epa.gov RecycledlRecyclable • Printed with Vegetable 011 Based Inks on Recyc*l paper (Minimum 50% Posteonlumercontent)2
My staffhas already providedthis same information on an informal basis to representatives ofthe DepartmentofEnvironmental Protection and will continue to provide them with technical assistance and information as this process unfolds.
Under section 107(d)(l)(B) ofthe Act, EPA is requiredto issue final designations within two years ofpromulgation ofthe final National AmbientAir Quality Standard. However, EPA has the discretion to extend the deadline up to one year ifthere is insufficientinformation to make designations. EPA intends to complete initial designations by no laterthan October 15, 2010, where airquality data from the existing monitoring network is sufficient or where no additional data is expected to be available.
EPA will designate the remaining areas, where additional airquality information is expected from an expanded lead air monitoring network, by no laterthan October 15,2011. States and Indian tribes will have an opportunityto update their recommendations for these remaining areas by October 15, 2010. Establishing area designations is a key step in the process of providing the health protection that the Clean Air Act is intended to provide. Areas that are designated as not attaining the lead National Ambient Air Quality Standard will be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations oflead. We will keep New Jersey informed of any additional guidance and other support activities. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at 212-637-5000 or have your staff contact Raymond Werner, ChiefAir Programs Branch, at212-637-3706. Sincerely,

# C\>-~~ George Pavlou Acting Regional Administrator
Enclosures
Cc: MarkN. Mauriello, Acting Commissioner New Jersey Department ofEnvironmental Protection