S- 11 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION IX PRO 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 95105-3901

OFFICE OF THE 

## MAY 2 2 2014 REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

CarlaRodriguez Chairperson San Manuel Band 26569 CommunityCenteri)rive Highland, California 92346 Dear Chairperson Rodriguez: 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 your involvementis notrequired, we would like to invite youto 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 5 NAAQS were due to EPA on December 13, 2013; however, EPA is prepared to accept designation recommendations via letterfrom tribal leaders until June 13, 2014. On December 13, 2012, EPA revisedthe PM 25 NAAQS to increase protection ofpublic health from fine particle pollution. The annual PM 2

. 5 standard was strengthened from 15 ug/m 3 to 12 ug/m 3

. Establishing initial area designations is a key step in the process ofproviding the health and/orwelfare protection intendedby the Clean AirAct (CAA). Within two years ofpromulgation ofa new orrevisedNAAQS. EPA must list and designate all areas in the country as either: Attainment

- areas thatmeet the standard; Nonattainment

- areas that either do notmeetthe standard, or are contributing to anearby area that does notmeetthe standard; or Unclassifiable

- areas where there is insufficient informationto 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 inthe April 2013 designations guidance, 

### Initial AreaDesignations/ir the 2012 RevisedPrimaryAnnual FineParticle 7’/ationalAmbientAir 

### Oualitv Standard. The guidance is available on the EPA’s PM Designations website at 

### http W W\ ..pa uox/fl Ls aios/20I2staiiuud/docs/ipIil2013guidajdi Additional information about developingtribal air quality designations is available in the September2013 document, DevelopingDesignation RecommendationsforAreas ofIndian Countiy, which is available here:
We are sending you this letterbecause we believe thatyourTribe’s area ofIndian countrymaybe in nonattainment forthe 2012 PM 2

. 5 NAAQS and you may wantto engage with us through the consultation P,i,zted (TI? Reeve/ed Pupe,process. We will keep you informed as we finalize designations fbr 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 Policr on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (www.epa.ov;tribaizconsuita1ion/consuIt_poiicy.him). 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 stams of your Tribe’s area of Indian country. In accordance with section 1 07(d)( 1 )(B) of the CAA, we are required to issue final designations fbr the PM 25 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.kerryftJaox. Sincerely, ared Blurnenfeid Enclosure cc: Clifford Batten. Environmental Manager

### 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. Deadline to 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

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

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