UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC 27711

 

 

 December 1, 2014

Dear Tribal Leader:

On November 25, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA) proposed to strengthen the 

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone, based on extensive scientific 

evidence about ozone’s effects on public health and welfare. The EPA’s proposal finds that the current 

level of the primary and secondary standards – 75 ppb – is not adequate to protect either public health or 

public welfare. The purpose of this letter is to invite you to consult on this proposal.

The EPA is proposing to update the 8-hour primary ozone standard, to protect public health, within a 

range from 65 to 70 ppb. The proposed update will improve public health protection, particularly for 

children, the elderly, and people of all ages who have lung diseases such as asthma.

The EPA is also proposing to establish a secondary standard to provide protection against cumulative

ozone exposure that can damage plants and trees and cause other harmful effects in ecosystems. To 

achieve this level of protection, the EPA is proposing to set an 8-hour secondary standard within the 

ranges of 65 to 70 ppb. 

The proposal will also expand the ozone monitoring season for many states, and will update the Air 

Quality Index to ensure people are notified when air quality is unhealthy.

For more information on the rule, including the proposal, the Regulatory Impact Analysis, and a variety 

of fact sheets, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/glo.

The EPA will accept comment for 90 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. 

Publication is expected to be in mid-December. The EPA will also hold three public hearings in late 

January or early February 2015. We will announce the locations of these hearings in a separate 

forthcoming Federal Register notice. In addition, we will be available to discuss the proposed revisions 

in other settings, including during the National Tribal Air Association call on December 18, 2014 and 

we will schedule an informational meeting during January 2015. 

The EPA expects the proposed rule to improve environmental protection within Indian country and 

nationwide and does not believe the proposed rule will have adverse implications for tribes. However, to 

ensure that your lands and interests are protected, we are offering to consult with you or your designee 

should you desire. We welcome any additional information about the standards or potential impacts you 

would like to share. If you desire government-to-government consultation with the EPA, we kindly 

request that you notify us by January 30, 2015, by contacting Toni Colón at (919) 541-0069; e-mail: 

colon.toni@epa.gov. 

OFFICE OF

AIR QUALITY PLANNING

AND STANDARDS
We endeavor to conduct our efforts with sensitivity to the needs and culture of your tribe and with 

attention to the potential effect of our actions. We look forward to receiving your input.

 

Sincerely,

 

 /s/

Erika N. Sasser

 Director

Health and Environmental Impacts Division

cc: Tribal Environmental Director

 Tribal Environmental Staff