The EPA Regional Administrator, Jared Blumenfeld signed the following 

proposed rule on August 30, 2012 and EPA is submitting it for publication in 

the Federal Register (FR). While we have taken steps to ensure the accuracy 

of this Internet version of the proposed rule, it is not the official version 

of the proposal for purposes of public comment. Please refer to the official 

version in a forthcoming FR publication appearing on the Government Printing 

Office’s FDsys website, http://fdsys.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/home.action and on 

Regulation.gov in Docket Number EPA-R09-OAR-2011-0492, 

http://www.regulations.gov

Billing Code: 6560-50-P

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2011-0492; FRL– ]

Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; California; 

Determinations of Attainment for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing determinations relating to 1997 8-hour 

ozone nonattainment areas in California. First, EPA is proposing 

to determine that six 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas in 

California (Amador and Calaveras Counties, Chico, Kern County, 

Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties, Nevada County, and Sutter 

County) ("six CA areas") attained the 1997 8-hour ozone national 

ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) by their applicable 

attainment dates. Second, in making these proposed

determinations for Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties and Nevada 

County, EPA is also proposing to grant them one-year attainment 

date extensions. Lastly, EPA is proposing to determine that the 

six CA areas and the Ventura County 8-hour ozone nonattainment 

area in CA have attained and continue to attain the 1997 8-hour 
This document is a prepublication version signed by EPA Regional 

Administrator Jared Blumenfeld on August 30, 2012. We have taken steps to 

ensure the accuracy of this version, but it is not the official version.

2

ozone NAAQS based on the most recent three years of data. Under 

the provisions of EPA's ozone implementation rule, these 

proposed determinations suspend the requirements for these areas 

to submit revisions to the state implementation plan related to 

attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard for as long as 

these areas continue to meet the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before [FEDERAL 

REGISTER OFFICE: Insert date 30 days after date of publication 

in the Federal Register].

ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA-R09-

OAR-2011-0492, by one of the following methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal, at www.regulations.gov, please 

follow the on-line instructions;

2. E-mail to ungvarsky.john@epa.gov; or

3. Mail or delivery to John Ungvarsky, Air Planning Office, 

AIR-2, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, 75 

Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California 94105-3901.

Please see the direct final rule which is located in the Rules 

section of this Federal Register for detailed instructions on 

how to submit comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Ungvarsky, (415) 972-3963, 

or by email at ungvarsky.john@epa.gov. 
This document is a prepublication version signed by EPA Regional 

Administrator Jared Blumenfeld on August 30, 2012. We have taken steps to 

ensure the accuracy of this version, but it is not the official version.

3

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For further information, please see 

the direct final action, of the same title, which is located in 

the Rules section of this Federal Register. EPA is approving:

the determinations of attainment by applicable attainment dates;

attainment date extensions; and determinations of continued 

attainment as a direct final rule without prior proposal because 

EPA views these as noncontroversial actions and anticipates no 

adverse comments. A detailed rationale for these actions is set 

forth in the preamble to the direct final rule. If EPA receives 

no adverse comments, EPA will not take further action on this 

proposed rule.

If EPA receives adverse comments, EPA will withdraw the 

direct final rule, and it will not take effect. EPA will address 

all public comments 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. Please note that if we receive 

adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this 
This document is a prepublication version signed by EPA Regional 

Administrator Jared Blumenfeld on August 30, 2012. We have taken steps to 

ensure the accuracy of this version, but it is not the official version.

4

rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of 

the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule 

that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

____________________ ____________________

Dated: Jared Blumenfeld

Regional Administrator,

EPA Region IX.