UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 8 

1595 WYNKOOP STREET 

DENVER. CO 80202-1129 

Phone 800-227-8917 

http://www.epa.gov/region08 

Concurrence Copy 

Ref: 8P-AR 

The Honorable SEP 1 1 2009 John Hoeven 

Governor ofNorth Dakota 

600 E. Boulevard Avenue Dept. 101 

Bismarck, ND 58505-0001 

Dear Governor Hoeven: 

I am writing to provide you with guidance on the process for designating areas under the 

2008 revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. In order to ensure that 

public health and welfare are protected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

revised the lead NAAQS on October 15,2008 (73 FR 66964; November 12,2008). The new 

primary lead standard was lowered from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) set in 1978, to 

0.15 uglm3. This new standard is based on the most recent scientific studies and provides 

protection against adverse health effects associated with exposure to lead. To provide increased 

protection against lead-related welfare effects, EPA revised the secondary standard to be 

identical in all respects to the revised primary standard. 

The next step in implementing the revised lead NAAQS is for states to recommend to 

EPA an air quality designation for their state. The process for designations, following 

promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, is contained in section 1 07( d)( 1) of the Clean Air Act 

(Act). This section ofthe Act provides a process for each Governor to recommend attainment, 

nonattainment, or unclassifiable designations, with appropriate boundaries, to the EPA and 

requires that these recommendations be submitted to EPA within one year of a promulgation of a 

new or revised NAAQS. Therefore, we ask that states provide designation recommendations for 

all areas by October 15,2009. 

Under section 107(d)(1) ofthe Act, EPA may make modifications to the recommended 

designations and boundaries as it deems necessary. EPA will notify the states no later than 

120 days prior to promulgating the designations of our response to state's recommendations. 

This will provide an opportunity for the state to comment on any modification that EPA proposes 

to their recommendation. 

We are including an enclosure to this letter, which provides guidance to state, local air 

pollution control agencies, and tribes on the timeline and process for designating areas under the 

revised lead standard. We plan to announce our intended designations as early as possible, but 

no later than 120 days prior to promulgating initial designations. 

Under section 107( d)(l )(B) of the Act, EPA is required to issue final designations within 

8f~1Z. two years of finalizing a NAAQS; however, EPA has the discretion to extend the deadline up to 

vLt.~ c94 ~u~,~.J"L 

9!~PJ "( 1~f.;t1 
one year if there is insufficient information to rnake designations. EPA intends to complete 

initial designations no later than October 15, 2010, where data is sufficient from the existing 

monitoring network or where no additional data is expected to be available for a state. 

Remaining areas, using information from the expanded lead monitoring network, will be 

designated no later than October 15, 2011. States and tribes will have an opportunity to update 

their recommendations for these remaining areas by October 15,2010. 

Establishing area designations is a key step in the process of providing the health 

protection intended by the Act. Areas that are designated as not attaining the lead NAAQS will 

be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations of lead. We will keep your state 

informed of any additional guidance and other support activities. 

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

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

hesitate to contact me. Your air quality staff may wish to contact Callie Videtich, Director, Air 

Program at (303) 312-6434. 

Sincerely, 

~S'~IY.~/~~ 

CaroI Rushin 

C~J'~S) 

Acting Regional Administrator 

Enclosure 

cc: 	 L. Dave Glatt, Chief, Environmental Health Section, Department of Health 

Terry O'Clair, Director, Division ofAir Quality 
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 8 

1595 WYNKOOP STREET 

DENVER. CO 80202-1129 

Phone 800-227-8917 

http://www.epa.gov/region08 

Ref: 8P-AR 

SEP 1 1 2009 

The Honorable Brian Schweitzer 

Governor of Montana 

225 North Roberts 

Helena, MT 59620-0801 

Dear Governor Schweitzer: 

J am writing to provide you with guidance on the process for designating areas under the 

2008 revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. In order to ensure that 

public health and welfare are protected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

revised the iead NAAQS on October 15,2008 (73 FR 66964; November 12,2008). The new 

primary lead standard was lowered from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) set in 1978, to 

0.15 ug/m3. This new standard is based on the most recent scientific studies and provides 

protection against adverse health effects associated with exposure to lead. To provide increased 

protection against lead-related welfare effects, EPA revised the secondary standard to be 

identical iri all respects to the revised primary standard. 

The next step in implementing the revised lead NAAQS is for states to recommend to 

EPA an air quality designation for their state. The process for designations, following 

promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, is contained in section 1 07( d)(l) ofthe Clean Air Act 

(Act). This section of the Act provides a process for each Governor to recommend attainment, 

nonattainment, or unclassifiable designations, with appropriate boundaries, to the EPA and 

requires that these recommendations be submitted to EPA within one year of a promulgation of a 

new or revised NAAQS. Therefore, we ask that states provide designation recommendations for 

all areas by October 15,2009. 

Under section 107(d)(1) ofthe Act, EPA may make modifications to the recommended 

designations and boundaries as it deems necessary. EPA will notify the states no later than 

120 days prior to promUlgating the designations of our response to state's recommendations. 

This will provide an opportunity for the state to comment on any modification that EPA proposes 

to their recommendation. 

We are including an enclosure to this letter, which provides guidance to state, local air 

pollution control agencies, and tribes on the timeline and process for designating areas under the 

revised lead standard. We plan to announce our intended designations as early as possible, but 

no later than 120 days prior to promulgating initial designations. 

Under section 1 07( d)(1 )(B) of the Act, EPA is required to issue final designations within 

two years of finalizing a NAAQS; however, EPA has the discretion to extend the deadline up to 
one year if there is insufficient information to make designations. EPA intends to complete 

initial designations no later than October 15, 20lO, where data is sufficient from the existing 

monitoring network or where no additional data is expected to be available for a state. 

Remaining areas, using information from the expanded lead monitoring network, will be 

designated no later than October 15, 2011. States and tribes will have an opportunity to update 

their recommendations for these remaining areas by October 15,2010. 

Establishing area designations is a key step in the process of providing the health 

protection intended by the Act. Areas that are designated as not attaining the lead NAAQS will 

be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations oflead. We will keep your state 

informed of any additional guidance and other support activities. 

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

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

hesitate to contact me. Your air quality staff may wish to contact Callie Videtich, Director, Air 

Program at (303) 312-6434. 

01 Rushin ~ 

cting Regional Administrator 

Enclosure 

cc: 	 Richard Opper, Director, Department of Environmental Quality 

Judy Hanson, Administrator, Permitting and Compliance Division 

Dave Klemp, Chief, Air Resources Management Bureau 
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 8 

1595 WYNKOOP STREET 

DENVER, CO 80202-1129 

Phone 800-227-8917 

http://www.epa.gov/region08 

Ref: 8P-AR SEP 1 1 2009 

The Honorable Bill Ritter 

Governor ofColorado 

200 East Colfax 

Denver, CO 80203-1792 

Dear Governor Ritter: 

I am writing to provide you with guidance on the process for designating areas under 

the 2008 revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. In order to ensure 

that public health and welfare are protected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

revised the lead NAAQS on October 15,2008 (73 FR 66964; November 12,2008). The new 

primary lead standard was lowered from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (uglm3) set in 1978, to 

0.15 uglm3. This new standard is based on the most recent scientific studies and provides 

protection against adverse health effects associated with exposure to lead. To provide increased 

protection against lead-related welfare effects, EPA revised the secondary standard to be 

identical in all respects to the revised primary standard. . 

The next step in implementing the revised lead NAAQS is for states to recommend to 

EPA an air quality designation for their state. The process for designations, following 

promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, is contained in section 1 07( d)( 1) of the Clean Air Act 

(Act). This section ofthe Act provides a process for each Governor to recommend attainment, 

nonattainment, or unclassifiable designations, with appropriate boundaries, to the EPA and 

requires that these. recommendations be submitted to EPA within one year of a promulgation of a 

new or revised NAAQS. Therefore, we ask that states provide designation recommendations for 

all areas by October 15,2009. 

Under section 107(d)(I) ofthe Act, EPA may make modifications to the recommended 

designations and boundaries as it deems necessary. EPA will notify the states no later than 

120 days prior to promulgating the designations of our response to state's recommendations. 

This will provide an opportunity for the state to comment on any modification that EPA proposes 

to their recommendation. 

We are including an enclosure to this letter, which provides guidance to state, local air 

pollution control agencies, and tribes on the time line and process for designating areas under the 

revised lead standard. We plan to announce our intended designations as early as possib,le, but 

no later than 120 days prior to promulgating initial designations. 

Under section 107(d)(l)(B) ofthe Act, EPA is required to issue final designations within 

two years offinalizing a NAAQS; however, EPA has the discretion to extend the deadline up to 
one year if there is insufficient information to make designations. EPA intends to complete 

initial designations no later than October 15,2010, where data is sufficient from the existing 

monitoring network or where no additional data is expected to be available for a state. 

Remaining areas, using information from the expanded lead monitoring network, will be 

designated no later than October 15,2011. States and tribes will have an opportunity to update 

their recommendations for these remaining areas by October 15, 2010. 

Establishing area designations is a key step in the process of providing the health 

protection intended by the Act. Areas that are designated as not attaining the lead NAAQS will 

be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations of lead. We will keep your state 

informed of any additional guidance and other support activities. 

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

the 2008 revised lead standard in a timely manner. Ifyou have any questions, please do not 

hesitate to contact me. Your air quality staff may wish to contact Callie Videtich, Director, Air 

Program at (303) 312-6434. 

fr' 

01 Rushin 

Acting Regional Administrator 

Enclosure 

cc: 	 James B. Martin, Executive Director, CDPHE 

Martha Rudolph, Director, Environmental Programs 

Paul Tourangeau, Director, Air Pollution Control Division 
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 8 

1595 WYNKOOP STREET 

DENVER, CO 80202-1129 

Phone 800-227-8917 

http://www.epa.gov/region08 

Ref: 8P-AR 

SEP 1 1 2009 

The Honorable Dave Freudenthal 

Governor of Wyoming . 

200 W. 34th Street . 

Cheyenne, WY 82002-0010 

Dear Governor Freudenthal: 

I am writing to provide you with guidance on the process for designating areas under the 

2008 revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. In order to ensure that 

public health and welfare are protected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

revised the lead NAAQS on October 15, 2008 (73 FR 66964; November 12, 2008). The new 

primary lead standard was lowered from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (uglm3) set in 1978, to 

0.15 uglm3. This new standard is based on the most recent scientific studies and provides 

protection against adverse health effects associated with exposure to lead. To provide increased 

protection against lead-related welfare effects, EPA revised the secondary standard to be 

identical in all respects to the revised primary standard. 

The next step in implementing the revised lead NAAQS is for states to recommend to 

EPA an air quality designation for their state. The process for designations, following 

promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, is contained in section 1 07( d)( 1) ofthe Clean Air Act 

(Act). This section ofthe Act provides a process for each Governor to recommend attainment, 

nonattainment, or unclassifiable designations, with appropriate boundaries, to the EPA and 

requires that these recommendations be submitted to EPA within one year of a promulgation of a 

new or revised NAAQS. Therefore, we ask that states provide designation recommendations for 

all areas by October 15, 2009. 

Under section 1 07(d)(1) ofthe Act, EPA may make modifications to the recommended 

designations and boundaries as it deems necessary. EPA will notify the states no later than 

120 days prior to promulgating the designations of our response to state's recommendations. 

This will provide an opportunity for the state to comment on any modification that EPA proposes 

to their recommendation. 

We are including an enclosure to this letter, which provides guidance to state, local air 

pollution control agencies, and tribes on the timeline and process for designating areas under the 

revised lead standard. We plan to announce our intended designations as 'early as possible, but 

no later than 120 days prior to promulgating initial designations. 

Under section 1 07( d)(l )(B) ofthe Act, EPA is required to issue final designations within 

two years of finalizing a NAAQS; however, EPA has the discretion to extend the deadline up to 
one year if there is insufficient infonnation to make designations. EPA intends to complete 

initial designations no later than October 15, 2010, where data is sufficient from the existing 

monitoring network or where no additional data is expected to be available for a state. 

Remaining areas, using infonnation from the expanded lead monitoring network, will be 

designated no later than October 15, 2011. States and tribes will have an opportunity to update 

their recommendations for these remaining areas by October 15,2010. 

Establishing area designations is a key step in the process of providing the health 

protection intended by the Act. Areas that are designated as not attaining the lead NAAQS will 

be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations oflead. We will keep your state 

infonned of any additional guidance and other support activities. 

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

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

hesitate to contact me. Your air quality staff may wish to contact Callie Videtich, Director. Air 

Program at (303) 312-6434. 

I Rushin 

Acting Regional Administrator 

Enclosure 

cc: 	 John Corra, Director, Department of Environmental Quality 

David A. Finley, Administrator, Air Quality Program 
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 8 

1595 WYNKOOP STREET 

DENVER. CO 80202-1129 

Phone 800-227-8917 

http://www.epa.gov/region08 

Ref: 8P-AR SEP 1 1 2009 

The Honorable Mike Rounds 

Governor of South Dakota 

500 E. Capital Ave. 

Pierre, SD 57501 

Dear Governor Rounds: 

I am writing to provide you with guidance on the process for designating areas under the 

2008 revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. In order to ensure that 

public health and welfare are protected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

revised the lead NAAQS on October IS, 2008 (73 FR 66964; November 12, 2008). The new 

primary lead standard was lowered from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) set in 1978, to 

0.] 5 uglm3. This new standard is based on the most recent scientific studies and provides 

protection against adverse health effects associated with exposure to lead. To provide increased 

protection against lead-related welfare effects, EPA revised the secondary standard to be 

identical in all respects to the revised primary standard. 

The next step in implementing the revised lead NAAQS is for states to recommend to 

EPA an air quality designation for their state. The process for designations, following 

promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, is contained in section I 07( d)( I) of the Clean Air Act 

(Act). This section of the Act provides a process for each Governor to recommend attainment, 

nonattainment, or unclassifiable designations, with appropriate boundaries, to the EPA and 

requires that these recommendations be submitted to EPA within one year of a promulgation of a 

new or revised NAAQS. Therefore, we ask that states provide designation recommendations for 

all areas by October 15,2009. 

Under section I 07( d)( 1) of the Act, EPA may make modifications to the recommended 

designations and boundaries as it deems necessary. EPA will notify the states no later than 

120 days prior to promulgating the designations ofour response to state's recommendations. 

This will provide an opportunity for the state to comment on any modification that EPA proposes 

to their recommendation. 

We are including an enclosure to this letter, which provides guidance to state, local air 

pollution control agencies, and tribes on the timeline and process for designating areas under the 

revised lead standard. We plan to announce our intended designations as early as possible, but 

no later than 120 days prior to promulgating initial designations. 

Under section 107(d)(l)(B) of the Act, EPA is required to issue final designations within· 

two years of finalizing a NAAQS; however, EPA has the discretion to extend the deadline up to 

I 
one year if there is insufficient information to make designations. EPA intends to complete 

initial designations no later than October 15, 2010, where data is sufficient from the existing 

monitoring network or where no additional data is expected to be available for a state. 

Remaining areas, using information from the expanded lead monitoring network, will be 

designated no later than October 15,2011. States and tribes will have an opportunity to update 

their recommendations for these remaining areas by October 15,2010. 

Establishing area designations is a key step in the process of providing the health 

protection intended by the Act. Areas that are designated as not attaining the lead NAAQS will 

be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations of lead. We will keep your state 

informed of any additional guidance and other support activities. 

We look forward to working with you and your s,taffto develop area designations under 

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

hesitate to contact me. Your air quality staff may wish to contact Callie Videtich, Director, Air 

Program at (303) 312-6434. 

Acting Regional Administrator 

Enclosure 

cc: 	 Steven M. Pimer, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources 

Tim Tollefsrud, Director, Division of Environmental Services 

Brian Gustafson, Administrator, Air Quality Program 

I 

J 

t 
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 8 

1595 WYNKOOP STREET 

DENVER, CO 80202-1129 

Phone 800-227-8917 

http://www.epa.gov/regionOS 

Concurrence Copy 

Ref: 8P-AR 

The Honorable Gary R. Herbert SEP 1 1 2009

Governor of Utah 

300 North State Street 

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2220 

Dear Governor Herbert: 

I am writing to provide you with guidance on the process for designating areas under the 

2008 revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. In order to ensure that 

public health and welfare are protected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

revised the lead NAAQS on October 15, 2008 (73 FR 66964; November 12, 2008). The new 

primary lead standard was lowered from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) set in 1978, to 

0.15 ug/m3. This new standard is based on the most recent scientific studies and provides 

protection against adverse health effects associated with exposure to lead. To provide increased 

protection against lead-related welfare effects, EPA revised the secondary standard to be 

identical in all respects to the revised primary standard. 

The next step in implementing the revised lead NAAQS is for states to recommend to 

EPA an air quality designation for their state. The process for designations, following 

promulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, is contained in section 107(d)(I) ofthe Clean Air Act 

(Act). This section of the Act provides a process for each Governor to recommend attainment, 

nonattainment, or unclassifiable designations, with appropriate boundaries, to the EPA and 

requires that these recommendations be submitted to EPA within one year of a promulgation of a 

new or revised NAAQS. Therefore, we ask that states provide designation recommendations for 

all areas by October 15,2009. 

Under section 107(d)(I) of the Act, EPA may make modifications to the recommended 

designations and boundaries as it deems necessary. EPA will notify the states no later than 

120 days prior to promulgating the designations of our response to state's recommendations. 

This will provide an opportunity for the state to comment on any modification that EPA proposes 

to their recommendation. 

We are including an enclosure to this letter, which provides guidance to state, local air 

pollution control agencies, and tribes on the timeline and process for designating areas under the 

revised lead standard. We plan to announce our intended designations as early as possible, but 

no later than 120 days prior to promulgating initial designations. 

Under section 107(d)(l)(B) ofthe Act, EPA is required to issue final designations within 

two years of finalizing a NAAQS; however, EPA has the discretion to extend the deadline up to 
one year if there is insufficient information to make designations. EPA intends to complete 

initial designations no later than October 15,2010, where data is sufficient from the existing 

monitoring network or where no additional data is expected to be available for a state. 

Remaining areas, using information from the expanded lead monitoring network, will be 

designated no later than October 15,2011. States and tribes will have an opportunity to update 

their recommendations for these remaining areas by October 15,2010. 

Establishing area designations is a key step in the process of providing the health 

protection intended by the Act. Areas that are designated as not attaining the lead NAAQS will 

be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations of lead. We will keep your state 

informed of any additional guidance and other support activities . 

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

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

hesitate to contact me. Your air quality staff may wish to contact Callie Videtich, Director, Air 

Program at (303) 312-6434. 

Sincerely, 

Carol Rushin 

Acting Regional Administrator 

Enclosure 

cc: 	 Cheryl Heying, Director, Division of Air Quality 

William Sinclair, Acting Executive Director, Department of Environmental Quality