

[Federal Register: June 22, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 120)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 35856-35857]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jn06-33]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2006-0376-200611b; FRL-8186-9]

 
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans Alabama: Open 
Burning 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 March 9, 2006. 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 (NAAQS) for 
fine particulates (PM2.5) and ozone. Open burning creates smoke that 
contains fine particles, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen 
oxides, precursors to ozone. ADEM has found that elevated levels of 
PM2.5 mirror the months when ozone levels are highest (May-September), 
and that PM2.5 levels remain elevated into October. These rules are 
intended to help control levels of PM2.5 and ozone precursors that 
contribute to high ozone and PM2.5 levels. This action is being taken 
pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
    In the Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving 
Alabama's

[[Page 35857]]

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rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be 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 July 24, 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: June 12, 2006.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 06-5597 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
