May 19, 2005

Mr. Jeffrey Holmstead

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Mail Code: 6102T

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C.  20460

Dear Mr. Holmstead,

	Enclosed for your consideration are recommendations to improve the
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program prepared by the
Western States Air Resources Council (WESTAR). WESTAR is an association
composed of representatives from 15 state air quality management
agencies and four federal land management agencies on an ex officio
basis.

	The enclosed recommendations represent a unanimous agreement between
all of the state and federal land management agency participants, an
agreement achieved by carefully balancing the needs of the participating
agencies over the past 18 months. Implementing these recommendations
will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the PSD program to
protect air quality in attainment areas and in the nation’s parks and
wilderness areas.  We encourage EPA to consider these recommendations in
total, thereby maintaining the balance represented in the recommendation
package. We look forward to continuing this collaborative effort in the
coming months to implement these important recommendations.

	The WESTAR PSD Reform Initiative workgroup benefited from the advice
and comments provided by EPA staff from headquarters and the three
western Regional Offices, and we are grateful for their contributions to
this initiative. If you have any questions or would like to discuss
these recommendations further, please contact Dan Johnson, WESTAR’s
Executive Director.

Sincerely,

Stuart A. Clark, President

Western States Air Resources Council

WESTERN STATES AIR RESOURCES COUNCIL

500 UNION STREET, SUITE 640 ·SEATTLE, WA 98101 · PHONE 206-254-9142 ·
FAX 206-254-9183

