Mark Macarro

Chairman

Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission IndiansP.O. Box 1477Temecula, California 92593

Dear Chairman Macarro:Thank you for your recommendations dated May 31, 2011 on air quality designations for the Pechanga

Band of Luiseno Mission Indians for the 2010 revision to the primary National Ambient Air Quality

Standard for sulfur dioxide (SO 2).Reducing levels of SO2pollution 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 your recommended designations.

On June 3, 2010, the EPA strengthened the health-based or “primary” standard for SO2by establishing astandard 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 orrevised standard. Ifthe Administrator has insuflicient information to make these designations, the EPAhas 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 adiverse group ofstakeholders, EPA has developed a comprehensive implementation strategy for thesefuture actions that focuses resources on identifying and addressing unhealthy levels of SO2. The

strategy is available at: www.epa. gov/airguality/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 2009-2011 shows no violations of

the 2010 SO2standard in any areas of Indian country ofthe Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians.

Consequently, the EPA is not yet prepared to propose designation action on Pechanga Band ofLuiseno

Prined on Recycled Paper
We look forward to a continued dialogue with you and your staff as we work together to implement the

2010 primary SO2standard. For additional information regarding initial designations ofthe SO2

standard, please visit our website at: www.epa.gov/so2designations. Should you have any questions,

please do not hesitate to call me, or have your staff contact Deborah Jordan, Director, Air Division at

415-947-8715, or jordan.deborah@epa. ov.

Sincerely,

,4Jared Blumenfeld

cc: Syndi Smallwood, Environmental Director, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians

Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation

Stephen D. Page, Director, Office ofAir Quality Planning and Standards