UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION IX 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105·3901

OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR 

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The HonorableJim Gibbons GovernorofNevada 101 North Carson Street Carson City, NY 8970I Dear GovernorGibbons: Iam writing you today to provide you with guidanceon the process for designating areas underthe 2008 revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. In order to ensure that public health and welfare were protected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the lead NAAQS on October 15,2008 (73 

### FR 66964; November 12,2008). The new primary lead standard was lowered from the 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (uglm3) level set in 1978, to a level of0.15 uglm3

. This new standard is based on the most recent scientific studies and provides increased protection against adverse health effects associated with exposure to lead. To provide increased protection against lead-related welfare effects, EPA revised the secondary standard to be identical in all respects to the revised primary standard. The next step in implementingthe revised lead NAAQS is for states to recommend to EPA an airqualitydesignation for their state. Theprocess for designations, following promulgation ofa new orrevised NAAQS, is contained in Section 107(d)(l) ofthe Clean Air Act (Act). This section ofthe Act provides a process for each Governorto recommend attainment, nonattainment, or unclassifiabledesignations, with appropriate boundaries, to the EPA and requires that theserecommendations be submitted to EPA within one year ofa promulgation ofa new or revised NAAQS. Therefore, we ask that your stateprovide designation recommendations for all areas by October 15,2009. Under section 107(d)(l) ofthe Act, EPA may make modifications to the recommended designations and boundaries as it deems necessary. EPA will notifythe states, by no later than 120 days prior to promulgatingthe designations, ofourresponse to states' recommendations. This will provide an opportunityfor states to commenton anymodification that EPA proposes to their recommendations. We are includingan enclosureto this letter, which provides guidance to state and local air pollution control agencies and tribes on the timeline and process for designating areas underthe revised lead standard. Weplan to announce ourintended designations as early as possible, but no later than 120days priorto promulgatinginitial designations.

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### Under section 107(d)(l)(B) ofthe Act, EPA is required to issue final designations within two years offinalizing aNAAQS; however, EPA has the discretion to extend the deadline up to one year ifthere is insufficient information to make designations. EPA intends to complete initial designations by no later than October 15,2010,where data is sufficient from the existing monitoring network or where no additional data is expected to be available for a state. Remaining areas, using information from the expanded lead monitoring network, will be designated by no later than October 15,2011. States and tribes will have an Oppol1unity to update their recommendations for these remaining areas by October 15, 2010. Establishing area designations is a key step in the process ofproviding the health protectionthat the Act is intended to provide. Areas that are designated as not attaining the lead NAAQS will be required to adopt plans to reduce ambient concentrations oflead. We will keep your state informed ofany additional guidance and other suppOl1 activities. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at 415-947-8702 or Colleen McKaughan ofmy stafTat 520-498-0118. Sirycerely, 

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Acting Regional Administrator Enclosure

cc: Leo Drozdoff, Administrator Nevada Division ofEnvironmental Protection Colleen Cripps, Deputy Administrator Nevada Division ofEnvironmental Protection Andrew Goodrich, Division Director Air Quality Management Division Washoe County District Health Department Lewis Wallenmeyer, Director ClarkCounty Department ofAir Quality

And Environmental Management