UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION4

The Honorable Phyliss J. Anderson Chief Mississippi Band ofChoctaw Indians PO Box 6010 Choctaw Branch Choctaw, Mississippi 39350 Dear ChiefAnderson: ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 61 FORSYTH STREET ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960 

### MAY 2 9 2014

The purpose ofthis letter is to provide you with additional information concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's designations process for the 2012 primary annual PMl.s national ambient air quality standard {NAAQS). Your

### tnDe may wish to engage with us in the process of assigning designations for Indian country. Although your involvement is not required, we would like to invite you to participate inthe designations process and to offer you consultation. Area recommendations for the PM2.s NAAQS were due to the EPA on December 13, 2013; however, the EPA is prepared to accept designation recommendations from tribal leaders until June 13,2014. In the event additional consultation is needed we will remain available throughout completion ofthe designations process. We want to ensure early, transparent and effective communication indeveloping area designations for the revised annual PM2.s standard. On December 13, 2012, the EPA revised the primary annual NAAQS for PMl.s to provide increased protection of public health from fine particle pollution. The 

### new annual PM2.5 standard was strengthened from 15 uglm3 to 12 uglm 3• Establishing initial area designations is a key step inthe process of providing the health and/or welfare protection intended by the Clean AirAct (CAA). Within two years ofpromulgation ofa new or revised NAAQS, the EPA must list and designate all areas in the country as one ofthe following:

• Attainment

- 

### areas that 

### meet the standard; • Nonattainment- areas that either do not 

### meet the standard or are contributing to a nearby area that does not meet the standard; or • Unclassifiable

- 

### areas where there is insufficient information to make a determination as to attainment. In accordance with section 107(dXl)(B) ofthe CAA, we are required to issue final designations for the primary annual PM2.5 NAAQS no later than December 12, 2014. Ourdesignations will be based on the most recent three calendar years ofcertified, quality-assured monitoring data available, recommendations from state governors and tribal leaders, and any other relevant information as discussed in the April 2013 designations guidance on InitialAreaDesignations for the 2012Revised PrimaryAnnualFine ParticleNationalAmbientAir Quality Standard. The guidance is currently available on the EPA's PM Designations website at

Internet Address (URL) • httpJ/ www
.epa.gov Recytedffiecyclable • Pnnted wdh lkgetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Mtnimum 30% Postconsumerjhttp://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/20 12standards/docs/apri12013guidance.pdf. Additional information about developing tribal airqualitydesignations is available in the September 2013 documentDeveloping DesignationRecommendations forAreas of Indian Country, which is available here: http://www.epa.gov/air/tribal/pdfs/DevelopingaDesignationR.ecommendationforlndianCountry

.pdf. We will keep you informed as we finalize designations for your tn"be's area. Please notifyusbyJune 13, 2014, ifyou are interested in consulting with us regarding a recommended designation. When requested, consultation will be conducted in accordance with the EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (www.epa.gov/triballconsultationlconsult-policy.htm). Weplan to formally announce ourintended designations for all 

### areas byAugust 14, 2014. At that time we will send another letter to you with our intended designation and offer an additional opportunity to consult with us on any modifications the EPA proposes to the designation status ofyour tribe's area of Indian country. Asthedesignations process moves forward, we will keep you informed ofany additional guidance or other support activities. We look forward to working with you to develop area designations under the revised annual PMz.s NAAQS in a timely manner. Ifyour tribe is interested in consultation or 

### has questions about the designations process, please do nothesitate to contact me orBeverly H. Banister, Director, AirPesticides and Toxics Management Division at (404) 562-9077, orhave your staffcontact Scott Davis, Chief, AirPlanning Branch at (404) 562-9127. Sincerely,

# ~a~ Regional Administrator

cc: Jerry W. Cain, P.E., BCEE, Environmental Manager