UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 10

Herman Dillon, Sr. Chairman, Puyallup Tribal Council 3009 East Portland Avenue Tacoma, Washington 98404 Dear Chairman Dillon: 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900 Seattle, WA 98101-3140 

## JUN 12 

## 2012 OFFICE OF AIR, WASTE AND TOXICS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) is offering an opportunity for consultation and coordination on the EPA's plan to propose a clean data determination for the Tacoma, Pierce County nonattainment area (also known as the Wapato Hills-Puyallup River Valley 

### PM25 nonattainment area). I invite you or your designated representative(s) to participate in this consultation and coordination process. On December 14, 2009 (74 FR 58688), EPA designated the Tacoma, Pierce County nonattainment area, including all restricted and trust lands within the Puyallup Reservation, for the 2006 24-hour PM2 5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). While the state is responsible for meeting Clean Air Act planning requirements for non-trust lands within the boundary ofthe Puyallup Reservation, the EPA and the Puyallup Tribe have responsibility for air quality planning and implementing measures to improve air quality for restricted and trust lands within the boundary ofthe Puyallup Reservation. The EPA is now planning to propose that the nonattainment area meets the 24-hour 

### PM2.5 NAAQS based upon 2009-20II ambient air monitoring data. Ifthis determination is made final, under the provisions ofthe EPA's 

### PM2.5 implementation rule (40 CFR 51.1004(c)), the requirement for the state to submit an attainment demonstration and other associated planning requirements for non-trust lands related to attainment ofthe 24-hour PM2.5standard would be suspended for so long as the area continues to meet this NAAQS. Ifthe EPA subsequently determines that the area is in violation ofthe 2006 24- hour 

### PM25 NAAQS, the basis for the suspension ofthe specific requirements, set forth at 40 CFR 51.1004(c), would no longer exist and the area would thereafter have to address the pertinent requirements. Please note the proposed clean data determination that the air quality data shows attainment ofthe 2006 24-hour 

### PM2.5NAAQS is not equivalent to the redesignation ofthe area to attainment. This proposed action, iffinalized, will not constitute a redesignation to attainment under section I07(cl)(3) ofthe CAA, because we would not yet have an approved maintenance plan for the nonattainment area as required under section 175A ofthe CAA, nor a determination that the area has met the other requirements for redesignation. The designation status ofthe area would remain nonattainment for the 2006 

### PM2.5 NAAQS until such time as the EPA determines that the area meets the CAA requirements for redesignation to attainment.


# 0 Printedon RecycledPaperThis consultation and coordination process will be conducted in accordance with the 

### EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (www.epa.gov/triballconsultation/consultpolicy.htm). Please notify Jeff Hunt by July 16 ifyou are interested in a consultation meeting about this upcoming EPA decision. Ifyou have any questions please contact me at 206-553-lg47 or have your stallcontact either Debra Suzuki, State and Tribal Air Programs Unit Manager, at 206-553-0985 orJeff Hunt, PM 25 stafflead, at 206-553-0256. • I look forward to hearing ti·om you on this important matter. Sincerely,

--. _______.--::;>

chard Albright, Director Office ofAir, Waste, and Toxics

cc: Bill Sullivan, Puyallup Tribe, Natural Resources Director (via e-mail) Mary Basballe, Puyallup Tribe, Air Quality Staff (via e-mail)



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