Meeting Notes:

On December 18, 2007, Congressman Markey's Office called Michael Ochs,
EPA New England’s Government Relations Office, to set up a conference
call to discuss Massachusetts' Transit System Improvements.

The conference call was held at 10:00 am, Thursday, December 20, 2007. 

Participants from EPA New England were: 

	Michael Ochs, Government Relations Office,

	Tim Williamson, Office of Regional Counsel, 

	Anne Arnold, Manager – Air Quality Planning Unit and 

	Donald Cooke, Air Quality Planning Unit.

Participating from Congressman Markey’s Office were: 

	Patrick Lally, 

	Matt Harutunian and 

	Sarah Butler.

Mr. Lally recognized that the Federal Register regarding the notice of
proposed rule making for “Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Massachusetts; Amendment to Massachusetts’ State
Implementation Plan for Transit System Improvements.” was published in
early November [November 5, 2007 (72 FR 62422-62427)] and that the
public comment period had closed [the public comment period closed
December 5, 2008.]  Mr. Lally asked about EPA’s role in the process of
reviewing the proposed changes to transportation project requirements in
the Massachusetts state implementation plan (SIP).

Mr. Cooke gave a brief history on transportation control measures
connected with the Central Artery/ Third Harbor Tunnel Project and
adopted into the SIP.  Mr. Williamson followed with a discussion on
EPA’s role in reviewing Massachusetts SIP revision which  modified the
transportation control measures and the limits on EPA’s discretion
when reviewing the Commonwealth’s proposed SIP revision, providing the
revision satisfies the Clean Air Act’s criteria, including attaining
and maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.  Discussions
continued explaining EPA’s process in approving SIP revisions.

Congressman Markey’s staff then thanked EPA for participating on the
conference call.

