Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/10/26/2012-26417/determination-of-attainment-for-the-sacramento-nonattainment-area-for-the-2006-fine-particle
Timestamp: 2017-10-20 07:24:26
Document Index: 471742889

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 50', 'art 50', 'art 58', 'art 58', 'art 50', 'art 50', 'art 50', 'art 58', 'art 1', 'art 1']

Federal Register :: Determination of Attainment for the Sacramento Nonattainment Area for the 2006 Fine Particle Standard; California; Determination Regarding Applicability of Clean Air Act Requirements
65346-65351 (6 pages)
EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0799
FRL-9747-3
Nine (9) Additional Documents in CATEGORY VI.	OTHER DOCUMENTS
UPDATED Index 7-11-13, final to publish 7-15-2013
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2012-26417 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2012-26417
EPA is proposing to determine that the Sacramento nonattainment area in California has attained the 2006 24-hour fine particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This proposed determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing that this area has monitored attainment of the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS based on the 2009-2011 monitoring period. EPA is further proposing that, if EPA finalizes this determination of attainment, the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, together with reasonably available control measures (RACM), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, and contingency measures for failure to meet RFP and attainment deadlines shall be suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
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EPA is proposing to determine that the Sacramento nonattainment area has clean data for the 2006 24-hour NAAQS for fine particles (generally referring to particles less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameter, PM2.5). This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data showing the area has monitored attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS based on 2009-2011 monitoring data. Preliminary data in EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) for 2012 indicate that the area continues to attain the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. Based on this determination, we are also proposing to suspend the obligations on the State of California to submit certain state implementation plan (SIP) revisions related to attainment of this standard for the Sacramento nonattainment area for as long as the area continues to attain the standard.
Effective December 14, 2009, EPA established the initial air quality designations for most areas in the United States for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. See 74 FR 58688; (November 13, 2009). Among the various areas designated in 2009, EPA designated the Sacramento [2] area in California as nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.[3] The boundaries for this area are described in 40 CFR 81.305.
Within three years of the effective date of designations, states with areas designated as nonattainment for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS are required to submit SIP revisions that, among other elements, provide for implementation of reasonably available control measures (RACM), reasonable further progress (RFP), attainment of the standard as expeditiously as practicable but no later than five years from the nonattainment designation (in this instance, no later than December 14, 2014), as well as contingency measures. See CAA section 172(a)(2), 172(c)(1), 172(c)(2), and 172(c)(9). Prior to the due date for submittal of these SIP revisions, the State of California requested that EPA make determinations that the Sacramento [4] nonattainment area has attained the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS and that attainment-related SIP submittal requirements are not applicable for as long as the area continues to attain the standard. Today's proposal responds to the State's request.
Under EPA regulations in 40 CFR part 50, section 50.13 and in accordance with appendix N, the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard is met when the design value is less than or equal to 35 µg/m[3] (based on the rounding convention in 40 CFR part 50, appendix N) at each monitoring site within the area.[5] The PM2.5 24-hour average is considered valid when 75 percent of the hourly averages for the 24-hour period are available. Data completeness requirements for a given year are met when at least 75 percent of the scheduled sampling days for each quarter have valid data.
In the Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area, the agencies responsible for assuring that the area meets air quality monitoring requirements include CARB, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD), Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) and Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD). Both CARB and SMAQMD submit annual monitoring network plans to EPA. SMAQMD network plans describe the monitoring network operated by SMAQMD and CARB in Sacramento County, and CARB's network plans describe the monitoring sites CARB operates, in addition to monitoring sites operated by smaller air districts, namely, PCAPCD and YSAQMD. These plans discuss the status of the air monitoring network, as required under 40 CFR 58.10.
Since 2007, EPA regularly reviews these annual plans for compliance with the applicable reporting requirements in 40 CFR part 58. With respect to PM2.5, EPA has found that the areas' network plans, submitted by CARB and SMAQMD, meet the applicable requirements under 40 CFR part 58. See EPA letters to CARB and SMAQMD approving their annual network plans for years 2009, 2010, and 2011.[6 7] EPA also concluded [8] from its Technical System Audit of the CARB Primary Quality Assurance Organization (PQAO) (conducted during the summer of 2007), that the combined ambient air monitoring network operated by CARB and the local air districts in their PQAO (which includes SMAQMD, PCAPCD, and YSAQMD) currently meets or exceeds the requirements for the minimum number of SLAMS for PM2.5 in the Sacramento nonattainment area. CARB annually certifies that the data it submits to AQS are complete and quality-assured.[9]
There were five PM2.5 SLAMS located throughout the Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area in calendar years 2009, 2010, and 2011. EPA defines specific monitoring site types and spatial scales of representativeness to characterize the nature and location of required monitors. For the five sites, the spatial scale is neighborhood scale, and monitoring objective is population exposure. In addition, the Sacramento-Del Paso Manor site has a monitoring objective of highest concentration.[10]
Consistent with the requirements contained in 40 CFR part 50, EPA has reviewed the quality-assured, and certified PM2.5 ambient air monitoring data as recorded in AQS for the applicable monitoring period collected at the monitoring sites in the Sacramento nonattainment area and determined that the data are complete.
EPA's evaluation of whether the Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS is based on our review of the monitoring data and takes into account the adequacy [11] of the PM2.5 monitoring network in the nonattainment area and the reliability of the data collected by the network as discussed in the previous section of this document.
Table 1 shows the PM2.5 design values for the Sacramento nonattainment area monitors based on ambient air quality monitoring data for the most recent complete three-year period (2009-2011). The data show that the design value for the 2009-2011 period was equal to or less than 35 μg/m3 at the monitors. Therefore, we are proposing to determine, based on the complete, quality-assured data for 2009-2011, that the Sacramento area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard. Preliminary data available in AQS for 2012 indicate that the area continues to attain the standard.
Table 1—2009-2011 24-Hour PM2.5 Monitoring Sites and Design Values for the Sacramento Nonattainment Area
Roseville 06-061-0006 21.3 20.3 23.0 22
Sacramento-Del Paso Manor 06-067-0006 38.7 27.0 39.8 35a
Sacramento-1309 T Street 06-067-0010 27.2 27.3 45.1 33
Sacramento Health Dept—Stockton Blvd 06-067-4001 34.9 26.5 44.8 35a
Woodland 06-113-1003 27.4 18.6 25.8 24
a The average of the 98th percentile values for 2009-2011 equals 35.2 and 35.4 at the Del Paso Manor and Stockton Blvd. sites, respectively, but consistent with applicable rounding conventions in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix N, section 4.3, 24-hour standard design values are rounded to the nearest 1 μg/m3 (decimals 0.5 and greater are rounded up to the nearest whole number, and any decimal lower than 0.5 is rounded down to the nearest whole number).
In April 2007, EPA issued its PM2.5 Implementation Rule for the 1997 PM2.5 standard. 72 FR 20586; (April 25, 2007). In March, 2012, EPA published implementation guidance for the 2006 PM2.5 standard. See Memorandum from Stephen D. Page, Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, “Implementation Guidance for the 2006 24-Hour Fine Particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)” (March 2, 2012). In that guidance, EPA stated its view “that the overall framework and policy approach of the 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule continues to provide effective and appropriate guidance on the EPA's interpretation of the general statutory requirements that states should address in their SIPs. In general, the EPA believes that the interpretations of the statute in the framework of the 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule are relevant to the statutory requirements for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS * * *” Id., page 1. With respect to the statutory provisions applicable to 2006 PM2.5 implementation, the guidance emphasized that “EPA outlined its interpretation of many of these provisions in the 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule. In addition to regulatory provisions, the EPA provided substantial general guidance for attainment plans for PM2.5 in the preamble to the final the [sic] 2007 PM2.5 Implementation Rule.” Id., page 2. In keeping with the principles set forth in the guidance, and with respect to the effect of a determination of attainment for the 2006 PM2.5 standard, EPA is applying the same interpretation with respect to the implications of clean data determinations that it set forth in the preamble to the 1997 PM2.5 standard and in the regulation that embodies this interpretation. 40 CFR 51.1004(c).[12] EPA has long applied this interpretation in regulations and individual rulemakings for the 1-hour ozone and 1997 8-hour ozone standards, the PM-10 standard, and the lead standard.
EPA is proposing to determine that the Sacramento nonattainment area in California has attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard based on the most recent three years of complete, quality-assured, and certified data for 2009-2011. Preliminary data available in AQS for 2012 show that the area continues to attain the standard.
EPA further proposes that, if its proposed determination of attainment is made final, the requirements for the Sacramento nonattainment area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated RACM, a RFP plan, contingency measures, and any other planning SIPs related to attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS would be suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA's proposal is consistent and in keeping with its long-held interpretation of CAA requirements, as well as with EPA's regulations for similar determinations for ozone (see 40 CFR 51.918) and the 1997 fine particulate matter standards (see 40 CFR 51.1004(c)). As described below, any such determination would not be equivalent to the redesignation of the area to attainment for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
If the Sacramento nonattainment area continues to monitor attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, EPA proposes that the requirements for the area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated RACM, a RFP plan, contingency measures, and any other planning requirements related to attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS will remain suspended. If this proposed rulemaking is finalized and EPA subsequently determines, after notice-and-comment rulemaking in the Federal Register, that the area has violated the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS, the basis for the suspension of these attainment planning requirements for the Sacramento nonattainment area would no longer exist, and the area would thereafter have to address such requirements.
2. The Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area includes Sacramento County, the western portions of El Dorado and Placer counties, and the eastern portions of Solano and Yolo counties. Other than the El Dorado County portion of the nonattainment area, the Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area lies within the Sacramento Valley Air Basin.
4. On May 2, 2012, James Goldstene, Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board, submitted a request to Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region IX, to find the Sacramento PM2.5 nonattainment area had attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
5. The PM2.5 24-hour standard design value is the 3-year average of annual 98th percentile 24-hour average values recorded at each monitoring site [see 40 CFR part 50, appendix N, section 1.0(c)], and the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS is met when the 24-hour standard design value at each monitoring site is less than or equal to 35 µg/m3. .
6. Letter from Joe Lapka, Acting Manager, Air Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Karen Magliano, Chief, Air Quality Data Branch, Planning and Technical Support Division, CARB (November 24, 2009) (approving CARB's “2009 Annual Monitoring Network Report for Small Districts in California”); Letter from Matthew Lakin, Manager, Air Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Karen Magliano, Chief, Air Quality Data Branch, Planning and Technical Support Division, CARB (October 29, 2010) (approving CARB's “2010 Annual Monitoring Network Plan for the Small Districts in California”); Letter from Matthew Lakin, Manager, Air Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Karen Magliano, Chief, Air Quality Data Branch, Planning and Technical Support Division, CARB (November 1, 2011) (approving CARB's “2011 Annual Monitoring Network Plan for the Small Districts in California”).
7. Letter from Joe Lapka, Acting Manager, Air Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Larry Greene, Air Pollution Control Officer, SMAQMD (September 29, 2009) (approving the 2009 Air Monitoring Network Plan for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District); Letter from Matthew Lakin, Manager, Air Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Larry Greene, Air Pollution Control Officer, SMAQMD (November 1, 2010) (approving the “Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District's 2010 Annual Monitoring Network Plan”); Letter from Matthew Lakin, Manager, Air Quality Analysis Office, U.S. EPA Region IX, to Larry Greene, Air Pollution Control Officer, SMAQMD (October 31, 2011) (approving the “Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District's 2011 Annual Monitoring Network Plan”).
8. See letter from Deborah Jordan, Director, Air Division, U.S. EPA Region IX, to James Goldstene, Executive Officer, CARB, transmitting “Technical System Audit of the California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board: 2007,” with enclosure, August 18, 2008.
9. See, e.g., letter from Karen Magliano, Chief, Air Quality Data Branch, Planning and Technical Support Division, CARB, to Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region IX, certifying calendar year 2011 ambient air quality data and quality assurance data, May 1, 2012.
10. See CARB's 2011 Annual Monitoring Network Report for Small Districts in California and SMAQMD's 2011 Annual Monitoring Network Plan; U.S. EPA Air Quality System, Monitor Description Report, September 14, 2012.
11. Meets the requirements of 40 CFR part 58.
12. While EPA recognizes that 40 CFR 51.1004(c) does not itself expressly apply to the 2006 PM2.5 standard, the statutory interpretation that it embodies is identical and is applicable to both the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 standards.
13. This discussion refers to subpart 1 because subpart 1 contains the requirements relating to attainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.
[FR Doc. 2012-26417 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]