UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


REGION 10 


1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900 

Seattle, WA 98101-3140 

JAN 9 2009 

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR 

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

The Honorable Christine Gregoire 


Governor ofWashington 


Post Office Box 40002 


Olympia., Washington 98504-0002 . 


Dear Governor Gregoire: 

On March 12, 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency revised the national ambient 

air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone to provide increased protection ofpublic health and 

welfare from ozone pollution. The new primary ozone standard was lowered from 0.08 parts per 

million (ppm) to 0.075 ppm based on numerous epidemiological studies conducted during the 

past decade in which ma,ny ofthe health effects associated with ozone exposure have been 

demonstrated at and below the level ofthe 0.08 ppm standard, which was promulgated in 1997. 

These include a range ofserious respiratory effects and increased premature mortality. EPA also 

strengthened the secondary 8-hour ozone standard, making it identical to the revised primary 

standard, to protect against welfare effects such as impacts on vegetation and forested 

ecosystems. . 

Within one year ofpromulgation ofa new or revised NAAQS, section 1 07( d)(l)(A) of 

the Clean Air Act requires the Governor .of each state to submit to EPA a list ofall areas in the 

state, recommending designations for each as "attainment," ''nonattainment,'' or ''unclassifiable'' 

with respect to the new or revised standard. Therefore, we ask that you provide your designation 

recommendations, including appropriate area boundaries, to EPA by March 12, 2009, with 

respect to the revised ozone NAAQS. Establishing area designations is a key step in the process 

ofproviding the health protections that the Clean Air Act mandates. Areas that are designated as 

. 	not attaining the air quality standards will be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient 

concentrations ofozone. 

The enclosed memorandum provides guidance to state and local air pollution control 

agencies and Tribes on the process for designating areas under the 2008 revised ozone standard. 

We plan 14;> announce our intended designations as early as possible after receipt ofyour 

recommendations, but no later than 120 days prior to promUlgating final designations. 

Following the announcement ofintended designations, stateS and Tribes win have the 

opportunity to comment on any modifications EPA proposes to their recommendations. In 

accordance with section 107(d)(1)(B) ofthe Clean Air Act, we intend to issue final designations 

by March 12,2010 (although that deadline may be extended up to one additional year if EPA 

determines that insufficient information is available to establish designations by that date). 
Our designations will be based on the most recent 3 years of certified, quality assured monitoring 

data available. Ozone nonattainment areas will be classified at the time ofdesignation. The 

approach EPA will use to classify nonattainment areas under the 2008 revised ozone NAAQS 

will be established through a separate notice-and-comment rulemaking. 

We look forward to working with you and your staff to develop area designations under 

the 2008 revised ozone standards in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please do not 

hesitate to contact me. Your air quality staff may wish to contact State and Tribal Air Program 

Manager, Mahbubul Islam at (206) 553-6985 or Krishna Viswanathan at (206) 553-2684. 

Sincerely, 

~Q~ Elin D. Miller 


Regional Ad.mitristrator . 


Enclosure 

cc: 	 Mr. Jay Manning 

Director, Washington Department of Ecology 

Mr. Stu Clark 

Air Quality Program Manager 

Washington Department ofEcology