

[Federal Register: March 9, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 46)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 12155-12156]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09mr06-20]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[R04-OAR-2005-AL-0002-200528b; FRL-8043-1]

 
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Alabama: State 
Implementation Plan Revision

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is approving revisions to the Alabama State Implementation 
Plan (SIP), submitted by the Alabama Department of Environmental 
Management (ADEM) on September 11, 2003. The revisions include 
modifications to Alabama's open burning rules found at Alabama 
Administrative Code (AAC) Chapter 335-3-3-.01. These revisions are part 
of Alabama's strategy to meet the national ambient air quality 
standards by reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds and 
nitrogen oxides. Open burning creates smoke that contains fine 
particles (PM2.5) and precursors to ozone. ADEM has found 
that elevated levels of PM2.5 mirror the months when ozone 
levels are highest (May-September). These rules are intended to help 
control levels of PM2.5 and ozone precursors that contribute 
to high ozone

[[Page 12156]]

and PM2.5 levels. Today's action is being taken pursuant to 
section 110 of the Clean Air Act. In its September 11, 2003, submittal, 
ADEM also proposed SIP revisions to include changes to AAC Chapter 335-
3-4, concerning opacity. EPA is not acting on that part of the revision 
at this time.
    In the Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving 
Alabama's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal 
because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and 
anticipates no adverse comments. A rationale for the approval is set 
forth in the direct final rule, and incorporated herein by reference. 
If no significant, material, and adverse comments are received in 
response to this rule, no further activity is contemplated with regard 
to this proposed action. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct 
final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be 
addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed action. EPA 
will not institute a second comment period on this document. Any 
parties interested in commenting on this document should do so at this 
time.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 10, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail to: Stacy DiFrank, 
Regulatory Development Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides 
and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Comments 
may also be submitted electronically, or through hand delivery/courier. 
Please follow the detailed instructions described in the direct final 
rule, ADDRESSES section which is published in the Rules Section of this 
Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacy DiFrank, Regulatory Development 
Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management 
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth 
Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. The telephone number is (404) 
562-9042. Ms. DiFrank can also be reached via electronic mail at 
difrank.stacy@epa.gov.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For additional information, see the direct 
final rule which is published in the Rules Section of this Federal 
Register.

    Dated: February 17, 2006.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 06-2183 Filed 3-8-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
