The Honorable Lob Matalasi Moliga

A. P. Lutali Executive Office Building

Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799

Dear Governor Moliga:

Our records indicate that we did not receive recommendations on air quality designations for the

territory of American Samoa for the 2010 revision to the primary National Ambient Air Quality

Standard for sulfur dioxide (SO 2).Reducing levels SO2of pollution is an important part ofthe U. S.

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) commitment to a clean, healthy environment. Exposure to

SO2can cause a range of adverse health effects, including narrowing ofthe airways which can cause

difficulty breathing and increased asthma symptoms. This letter is to notify you ofthe EPA’s

preliminary intentions regarding SO2 designations for American Samoa.

On June 3, 2010, the EPA strengthened the health-based or “primary” standard for SO2by establishing a standard for 1-hour average SO2concentrations at a level of 75 parts per billion. The Clean Air Act

requires the EPA to complete the initial designations process within two years of promulgating a new or revised standard. If the Administrator has insufficient information to make these designations, the EPA

has the authority to extend the designation process by up to one year. On July 27, 2012, the EPA

announced that it had insufficient information to complete the designations for the 1-hour SO2standard

within two years and extended the designations deadline to June 3, 2013.

At this time the EPA is proceeding with designating as nonattainment most areas in locations where

existing monitoring data from 2009-20 11 indicate violations ofthe 1-hour SO2standard. The EPA

intends to address the designations for all other areas in separate future actions. With input from a

diverse group ofstakeholders, EPA has developed a comprehensive implementation strategy for these future actions that focuses resources on identifying and addressing unhealthy levels of SO2.Thestrategy is available at: www.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/implement.html. The EPA will continue

to work closely with you and our other partners at the state, tribal and local levels to ensure healthprotective, common sense implementation ofthe 1-hour SO2standard.The EPA’s review ofthe most recent monitored air quality data from 2009-20 1 1 shows no violations of

the 2010 SO2standard in any areas in American Samoa. Consequently, the EPA is not yet prepared to

propose designation action in American Samoa and is therefore currently deferring action to designate

areas in American Samoa. The EPA expects to be able to proceed with designation action in American

Samoa once additional data are gathered pursuant to our comprehensive implementation strategy. In a

separate future action or actions the EPA will notify you of our intended designations for these areas,

Printed on Recycled Paper
415-947-8715, or jordan.deborah(,epa.gov.

Sincerely,

,4.Jared Blumenfeld

cc: To’afa Vaiaga’e, Director, American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency

Faamao Asalele, Jr., Assistant Director, Technical Programs, American Samoa Environmental

Protection Agency

William Sili, Manager, Air and Land Program, American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency

Nathan Mease, Legal Counsel, American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency

Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation

Stephen D. Page, Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards