UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 4 ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 61 FORSYTH STREET ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960 

### DEC 

## 19 

## 2008

The Honorable Mike 

### F. Easley Governor ofNorth Carolina State Capitol 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-030

### 1
Dear Governor Easley:

On March 12,2008,the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the national ambient air quality standards (NMQS)for ozone to provide increased protection of public health and welfare from ozone pollution. Based on numerous epidemiological studies conducted duringthe past decade in which many health effects associated with ozone exposure have been demonstrated at and below the 1997 standard of 0.08 parts per million (ppm), the Agency lowered the primary ozone standard to 0.075ppm. EPA also strengthened the secondary 8-hour ozone standard, making it identical to the revised primary standard, to protect against welfare effects, such as impacts onvegetation and forested ecosystems.

Within one year followingpromulgation of a new or revised NAAQS, section 107(d)(l)(A)of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the Governor of each stateto submit to EPA a list of all areas in the state, recommending designations for each as "attainment," "nonattainment," or "unclassifiable" with respect to the new or revised standard. Therefore, we ask that you provide EPA such designation recommendations with respect to the revised ozone NAAQS, including appropriate area boundaries, by March 12,2009. Establishing area designations is a key step in the process ofproviding the health protections that the CM mandates. Areas that are designated as not attaining the air quality standards must adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations of ozone.

The enclosed memorandum provides guidance to state and local air pollution control agencies and tribes on the process for designating areas under the 2008 revised ozone standard. We plan to announce our intended designations as early aspossible after receipt of your recommendations, but no later than 120 days prior to promulgating final designations. Following the announcement ofintended designations, states and tribes will have the opportunity to comment on any modifications EPA proposes to their recommendations. In accordance with section 1 O7(d)(l)(B) ofthe CAA, we intend to issue final designationsby March 12,2010 (althoughthat deadline may be extended up to one additional year, if EPA determinesthat insufficient information is available to establish designations by that date). Our designations will be based on the most recent three years of certified, quality assured available monitoring data. Ozone nonattainment areas will be classified at the time of designation. The EPA will establish its approach to classifying nonattainment areas under the 2008 revised ozone NAAQS through a separate notice-and-comment rulemaking.

Internet Address (URL) http liwww epa gov RecycledlRecyclable Printedwith Vegetable 011 Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 3056 Postconsumer)We look forward to working with you and your staffto develop area designationsunder the 2008 revised ozone NAAQS in a timely manner. Ifyou have any questions, please contact

me at (404) 562-8357or have a member ofyour staff contact Beverly Banister, Director, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, at (404) 562-9077.
Sincerely,

J. I. Palmer,Jr. 

# du'%

Regional Administrator

Enclosure

cc: William 

### G. Ross, Jr., Secretary,NCDENR Keith Overcash, Director,NCDENR-DAQ David Brigman, Director, WNCRAQA Don R. Willard, Director, LUES-AQ Robert R. Fulp, Director, FCEAD