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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38966-38969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16715]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2015-0037; FRL-9928-50-Region 9]

Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, Butte 
County Air Quality Management District

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a 
limited approval and limited disapproval of revisions to the Butte 
County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) portion of the 
California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern 
volatile organic compound (VOC), oxides of nitrogen (NOX) 
and particulate matter (PM) emissions from open burning. Under 
authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), this action 
simultaneously approves a local rule that regulates these emission 
sources and directs BCAQMD to correct rule deficiencies.

DATES: This rule is effective on August 7, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established docket number EPA-R09-OAR-2015-0037 
for this action. Generally, documents in the docket for this action are 
available electronically at http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy 
at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California 94105-
3901. While all documents in the docket are listed at http://www.regulations.gov, some information may be publicly available only at 
the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material, large maps, multi-
volume reports), and some may not be available in either location 
(e.g., confidential business information (CBI)). To inspect the hard 
copy materials, please schedule an appointment during normal business 
hours with the contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Gong, EPA Region IX, (415) 972-
3073, Gong.Kevin@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and 
``our'' refer to the EPA.

Table of Contents

I. Proposed Action
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. EPA Action
IV. Incorporation by Reference
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Proposed Action

    On February 11, 2015, in 80 FR 7555, the EPA proposed a limited 
approval and limited disapproval of the following rule that was 
submitted for incorporation into the California SIP.

                                             Table 1--Submitted Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Local agency                  Rule No.            Rule title            Amended         Submitted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BCAQMD..............................             300   Open Burning                   02/24/11         09/21/12
                                                        Requirements,
                                                        Prohibitions and
                                                        Exemptions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This rule supersedes the BCAQMD rules currently in the California 
SIP as listed below.

                                         Table 2--Rules To Be Superseded
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Rule                         Title                SIP approval date              FR citation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
301...............................  Prohibitions on Open  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Burning.
302...............................  Exemptions to Rule    February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     301.
303...............................  Burn Permits........  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
304...............................  Exemptions to Rule    February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     303.
306...............................  Information           February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Furnished by Permit
                                     Applicant.
307...............................  Ignition Hours......  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
308...............................  Notice of Intent to   February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Ignite.
309...............................  Freedom from Debris   February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     and Moisture.
310...............................  Arrangement of        February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Agricultural and
                                     Wood Waste.
311...............................  Drying Period.......  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
312...............................  Wind Direction......  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
313...............................  Ignition Devices....  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
314...............................  Burning of Vines or   February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Bushes Treated with
                                     Herbicides.
315...............................  Rice Straw Burning..  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
316...............................  Field Crop Ignition.  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
317...............................  Field Crops           February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Harvested Prior to
                                     September 10.

[[Page 38967]]

 
318...............................  Restriction of        February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Burning During Poor
                                     Air Quality
                                     Conditions.
320...............................  Certificate from      February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Department of Fish
                                     and Game.
322...............................  Special Permit......  February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
323...............................  Range Improvement     February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Burning.
324...............................  Burning at Disposal   February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     Sites.
325...............................  Exemption to Rule     February 3, 1987...............  52 FR 3226.
                                     324.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We proposed a limited approval because we determined that Rule 300 
improves the SIP and is largely consistent with the relevant CAA 
requirements. We simultaneously proposed a limited disapproval because 
some rule provisions conflict with section 110 and part D of the Act. 
These provisions include the following:
    1. Allowing the burning of rubbish under variance approved by 
hearing board in paragraphs 5.53 and 6.5.
    2. Air Pollution Control Officer discretion to waive drying time 
requirements in paragraph 8.2.4.
    Our proposed action contains more information on the basis for this 
rulemaking and on our evaluation of the submittal.

II. Public Comments and EPA Responses

    The EPA's proposed action provided a 30-day public comment period. 
During this period, we received no comments.

III. EPA Action

    No comments were submitted. Therefore, as authorized in sections 
110(k)(3) and 301(a) of the Act, the EPA is finalizing a limited 
approval of the submitted rule. This action incorporates the submitted 
rule into the California SIP, including those provisions identified as 
deficient. As authorized under section 110(k)(3), EPA is simultaneously 
finalizing a limited disapproval of the rule. As a result, sanctions 
will be imposed unless the EPA approves subsequent SIP revisions that 
correct the rule deficiencies within 18 months of the effective date of 
this action. These sanctions will be imposed under section 179 of the 
Act according to 40 CFR 52.31. In addition, the EPA must promulgate a 
federal implementation plan (FIP) under section 110(c) unless we 
approve subsequent SIP revisions that correct the rule deficiencies 
within 24 months. Note that the submitted rule has been adopted by the 
BCAQMD, and the EPA's final limited disapproval does not prevent the 
local agency from enforcing it. The limited disapproval also does not 
prevent any portion of the rule from being incorporated by reference 
into the federally enforceable SIP as discussed in a July 9, 1992 EPA 
memo found at: http://www.epa.gov/nsr/ttnnsr01/gen/pdf/memo-s.pdf.

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes 
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 
51.5, the EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of the 
BCAQMD rules described in the amendments to 40 CFR part 52 set forth 
below. The EPA has made, and will continue to make, these documents 
available electronically through www.regulations.gov and in hard copy 
at the appropriate EPA office (see the ADDRESSES section of this 
preamble for more information).

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this 
regulatory action from Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory 
Planning and Review.''

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 
Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency 
to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to 
notice and comment rulemaking requirements unless the agency certifies 
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small 
businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, and small governmental 
jurisdictions.
    This rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial 
number of small entities because SIP limited approvals/limited 
disapprovals under section 110 and subchapter I, part D of the Clean 
Air Act do not create any new requirements but simply approve 
requirements that the State is already imposing. Therefore, because 
this limited approval/limited disapproval action does not create any 
new requirements, I certify that this action will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    Moreover, due to the nature of the Federal-State relationship under 
the Clean Air Act, preparation of flexibility analysis would constitute 
Federal inquiry into the economic reasonableness of State action. The 
Clean Air Act forbids the EPA to base its actions concerning SIPs on 
such grounds. Union Electric Co., v. U.S. EPA, 427 U.S. 246, 255-66 
(1976); 42 U.S.C. 7410(a)(2).

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Under sections 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, the EPA 
must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or 
final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated 
costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; or to 
the private sector, of $100 million or more. Under section 205, the EPA 
must select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative 
that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with 
statutory requirements. Section 203 requires the EPA to establish a 
plan for informing and advising any small governments that may be 
significantly or uniquely impacted by the rule.
    The EPA has determined that the limited approval/limited 
disapproval action promulgated does not include a Federal mandate that 
may result in estimated costs of $100 million or more to either State, 
local, or tribal governments in the aggregate, or to the private 
sector. This Federal action approves pre-existing requirements under 
State or local law, and imposes no new requirements. Accordingly, no 
additional costs to State, local, or tribal

[[Page 38968]]

governments, or to the private sector, result from this action.

E. Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999) revokes and replaces 
Executive Orders 12612 (Federalism) and 12875 (Enhancing the 
Intergovernmental Partnership). Executive Order 13132 requires the EPA 
to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely 
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have 
federalism implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include 
regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on 
the relationship between the national government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government.'' Under Executive Order 13132, the EPA may not issue a 
regulation that has federalism implications, that imposes substantial 
direct compliance costs, and that is not required by statute, unless 
the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct 
compliance costs incurred by State and local governments, or the EPA 
consults with State and local officials early in the process of 
developing the proposed regulation. The EPA also may not issue a 
regulation that has federalism implications and that preempts State law 
unless the Agency consults with State and local officials early in the 
process of developing the proposed regulation.
    This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, because it 
merely approves a State rule implementing a Federal standard, and does 
not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and 
responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. Thus, the 
requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order do not apply to this 
rule.

F. Executive Order 13175, Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
requires the EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of 
regulatory policies that have tribal implications.'' This final rule 
does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 
13175. It will not have substantial direct effects on tribal 
governments, on the relationship between the Federal government and 
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal government and Indian tribes. Thus, Executive Order 
13175 does not apply to this rule.

G. Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 
1997) as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern health 
or safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of 
the Executive Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This 
rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045, because it approves a 
State rule implementing a Federal standard.

H. Executive Order 13211, Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) because it is not a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12 of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act 
(NTTAA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to evaluate existing 
technical standards when developing a new regulation. To comply with 
NTTAA, the EPA must consider and use ``voluntary consensus standards'' 
(VCS) if available and applicable when developing programs and policies 
unless doing so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise 
impractical.
    The EPA believes that VCS are inapplicable to this action. This 
action does not require the public to perform activities conducive to 
the use of VCS.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Population

    Executive Order (E.O.) 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 16, 1994)) 
establishes federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main 
provision directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable 
and permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their 
mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority 
populations and low-income populations in the United States.
    The EPA lacks the discretionary authority to address environmental 
justice in this rulemaking.

K. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. The EPA will submit a report containing this rule and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2). This rule will be effective on August 7, 2015.

L. Petitions for Judicial Review

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court 
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by September 8, 2015. Filing a 
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule 
does not affect the finality of this rule for the purposes of judicial 
review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial 
review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such 
rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in proceedings 
to enforce its requirements (see section 307(b)(2)).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile 
organic compounds.

    Dated: May 18, 2015.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.

    Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is 
amended as follows:

[[Page 38969]]

PART 52--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Subpart F--California

0
2. Section 52.220 is amended by adding paragraphs (c)(168)(i)(A)(7) and 
(c)(423)(i)(G)(1) to read as follows:

Sec.  52.220  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (168) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (7) Previously approved on February 3, 1987 in paragraph 
(c)(168)(i)(A)(1) of this section and now deleted with replacement in 
paragraph (c)(423)(i)(G)(1) by Butte County APCD, Rule 300, as amended 
on February 24, 2011, Rules 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 
310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 324 
and 325.
* * * * *
    (423) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (G) Butte County Air Quality Management District.
    (1) Rule 300, ``Open Burning Requirements, Prohibitions and 
Exemptions,'' amended on February 24, 2011.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-16715 Filed 7-7-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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