```
[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8412-8413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4523]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[MD040-3010b and MD048-3011b; FRL-5688-4]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Maryland; Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Open 
Fires, ``Once-in, Always-in,'' and Definition for the Term ``Annual''

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

[[Page 8413]]

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
revision submitted by the State of Maryland on July 12, 1995 and July 
17, 1995. These revisions establish a definition for the term 
``annual,'' expand Maryland's once-in, always-in provisions, and 
institute an open burning ban in Maryland's serious and severe ozone 
nonattainment areas during the summer months. In the Final Rules 
section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP 
revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the 
Agency views this as a noncontroversial SIP revision and anticipates no 
adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in 
the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response 
to this proposed rule, no further activity is contemplated in relation 
to this rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule 
will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in 
a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not 
institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties 
interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by March 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on this action should be addressed to David 
L. Arnold, Chief, Ozone/CO and Mobile Sources Section, Mailcode 3AT21, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 841 Chestnut 
Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107. Copies of the documents 
relevant to this action are available for public inspection during 
normal business hours at the Air, Radiation, and Toxics Division, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 841 Chestnut Building, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 and the Maryland Department of the 
Environment, 2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, Maryland, 21224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Maria A. Pino, (215) 566-2181, at the EPA Region III office address 
listed above, or via e-mail at [email protected]. While 
information may be requested via e-mail, comments must be submitted in 
writing to the above Region III address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the Direct 
Final action of the same title, pertaining to Maryland's open fires 
regulation, once-in, always-in provision, and definition for the term 
annual, which is located in the Rules and Regulations Section of this 
Federal Register.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.

    Dated: January 31, 1997.
W. Michael McCabe,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 97-4523 Filed 2-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
```