THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

The Honorable Neil Peyron Chairman ofTule River Indian Tribe P.O. Box 589 Porterville, Ca lifornia 93258 Dear Chairma n Peyron: WASHINGTON , D
.C

. 20460



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I would like to summarize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent action to address fineparticle pollution on your reservation. As required by the Clean Air Act, the EPA has determined which areas are meeting the national ambient-air-quality standards for fine-particle pollution and which areas must take steps to reduce emissions that contribute to violations ofthe standard. The EPA on December 14, 2012, strengthened the annual, health-based fine-particle standard from 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter (f.lg/m 3) to 12.0 j...l.g /m3

. Thousands of scientific studies have linked exposure to these tiny particles - appro ximately l/30th the s ize of a human hair

- with serious health problems including premature death in people with heart and lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks and increased hospital admissions and doctor and emergency-room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular disease. I appreciate the information you and your staffhave shared with the EPA throughout this process to assess fine-particle-pollution levels in communities across your reservation and the impact ofemission sources that could be contributing to unhealthy air. After reviewing the most recent certified fineparticle air-quality data for the state ofCalifornia and evaluating factors to assess contribution to nearby levels offine particle pollution, I have determined that some areas in California do not meet the 2012 annual fine particle standard or they contribute to a nearby violation ofthe standard. The EPA is designating those areas " nonattainment." Some of these areas also include areas oflndian country, including the reservation ofthe Tule River Indian Tribe. Nonattainment areas will be required to take action to reduce fine-particle pollution and meet the standa rd no later than 2021. As required by the Clean Air Act, those actions may include stricter controls on industrial facilities and additional planning requirements for transportation-related sources. While tribes are not requir ed to take actions, the EPA will work with tribes to develop plans as necessary or appropriate to ensure tribal areas meet the standard no later than 2021
. Because air-quality monitoring for 2014 is nearly complete, the EPA, at a tribe's request, will evaluate the sta tus of an area based on its annual fine-parti cle-monitoring data for 2012-14. Ifyou would like the EPA to re-evalua te any areas within your reservation, please submit complete, quality-assured and certified air-quality data for 20 14 to the EPA by February 27,2015. I recognize that the EPA shares responsibility with the states and tribes for managing particle-pollution levels. Efforts by states and tribes to attain the 1997 and 2006 fine-particle-pollution standards are already working to reduce unhealthy levels of fine-particle pollution. In addition, current and upcoming

This paper is printed with vegetable-oil-based inks and is 100·percent postconsumer recycled material
. chlorine·free·processed and recyclable
.fede r al standards and safeguards , including pollution-reduction rules for power pl ants , v ehicles and fuel s will ensure steady reduction s of fine-particle po ll ution and will protect public health in commun iti es

ac r oss the nation. Together we have mad e considerable progres s in r ed u c in g fine - particle polluti on . Nat i o n w ide monit o r ed l e vels of fine - particle pollu t i o n h ave fa ll en 34 per cent s ince 2000 when we first began suc h monit o rin g for particles of thi s size. I am confiden t thi s progre ss will co ntinu e as we work toward o ur shared goa l of clean air.

For additional information about these designation s, please visit www . epa.gov / pmdesig n atio n s.