81_FR_19560 81 FR 19495 - Air Plan Approval; South Carolina; Transportation Conformity Update

81 FR 19495 - Air Plan Approval; South Carolina; Transportation Conformity Update

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 65 (April 5, 2016)

Page Range19495-19498
FR Document2016-07811

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the South Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on October 13, 2015, through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC). This revision consists of transportation conformity criteria and procedures related to interagency consultation and enforceability of certain transportation-related control measures and mitigation measures. The intended effect of this approval is to update the transportation conformity criteria and procedures in the South Carolina SIP to reorganize previous exhibits into a single Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) document as well as updating signatories to add the newly established Lowcountry Area Transportation Study (LATS) to the list of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), created to represent a new urbanized area designated as a result of the 2010 Census. EPA has determined that this revision is consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19495-19498]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07811]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2015-0696; FRL-9944-55-Region 4]


Air Plan Approval; South Carolina; Transportation Conformity 
Update

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct 
final action to approve a revision to the South Carolina State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on October 13, 2015, through the 
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC 
DHEC). This revision consists of transportation conformity criteria and 
procedures related to interagency consultation and enforceability of 
certain transportation-related control measures and mitigation 
measures. The intended effect of this approval is to update the 
transportation conformity criteria and procedures in the South Carolina 
SIP to reorganize previous exhibits into a single Memorandum of 
Agreement (MOA) document as well as updating signatories to add the 
newly established Lowcountry Area Transportation Study (LATS) to the 
list of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), created to 
represent a new urbanized area designated as a result of the 2010 
Census. EPA has determined that this revision is consistent with the 
Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

DATES: This direct final rule is effective June 6, 2016 without further 
notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by May 5, 2016. If EPA 
receives such comments, it will publish a timely withdrawal of the 
direct final rule in the Federal Register and inform the public that 
the rule will not take effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-
OAR-2015-0696 at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot 
be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. EPA may publish any comment 
received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any 
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a 
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment 
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will 
generally

[[Page 19496]]

not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the 
primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing 
system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment 
policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general 
guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory 
Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, 
Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 
30303-8960. Ms. Sheckler's telephone number is 404-562-9992. She can 
also be reached via electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Transportation Conformity

    Transportation conformity (hereafter referred to as ``conformity'') 
is required under section 176(c) of the CAA to ensure that federally 
supported highway and transit activities are consistent with (``conform 
to'') the purpose of the SIP. Conformity currently applies to areas 
that are designated nonattainment, and to areas that have been 
redesignated to attainment after 1990 (i.e., maintenance areas) with 
plans developed under section 175A of the Act, for the following 
transportation related criteria pollutants: Ozone, particulate matter 
(e.g., PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, and 
nitrogen dioxide.
    Conformity to the purpose of the SIP means that transportation 
activities will not cause or contribute to new air quality violations, 
worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the national 
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the relevant criteria 
pollutants. The conformity regulation is found in 40 CFR part 93 and 
provisions related to conformity SIPs are found in 40 CFR 51.390.

II. Background for This Action

A. Federal Requirements

    EPA promulgated the Federal transportation conformity criteria and 
procedures (``Conformity Rule'') on November 24, 1993. 58 FR 62188. 
Among other things, the rule required states to address all provisions 
of the conformity rule in their SIPs, frequently referred to as 
``conformity SIPs.'' Under 40 CFR 51.390, most sections of the 
Conformity Rule were required to be copied verbatim into the SIP. 
States were also required to tailor all or portions of the following 
three sections of the Conformity Rule to the state's individual 
circumstances: 40 CFR 93.105, which addresses consultation procedures; 
40 CFR 93.122(a)(4)(ii), which addresses written commitments to control 
measures that are not included in a MPO's transportation plan and 
transportation improvement program that must be obtained prior to a 
conformity determination, and the requirement that such commitments 
must be fulfilled; and 40 CFR 93.125(c), which addresses written 
commitments to mitigation measures that must be obtained prior to a 
project-level conformity determination, and the requirement that 
project sponsors must comply with such commitments.
    On August 10, 2005, the ``Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users'' (SAFETEA-LU) was signed 
into law. SAFETEA-LU revised section 176(c) of the CAA transportation 
conformity provisions. One of the changes streamlined the requirements 
for conformity SIPs. Under SAFETEA-LU, states are required to address 
and tailor only three sections of the rule in their conformity SIPs: 40 
CFR 93.105, 40 CFR 93.122(a)(4)(ii), and, 40 CFR 93.125(c), described 
above. In general, states are no longer required to submit conformity 
SIP revisions that address the other sections of the Conformity Rule. 
These changes took effect on August 10, 2005, when SAFETEA-LU was 
signed into law.

B. South Carolina Transportation Conformity SIP

    The Conformity Rule requires the states to develop their own 
processes and procedures for interagency consultation among the 
Federal, state, and local agencies and resolution of conflicts meeting 
the criteria in 40 CFR 93.105. The conformity SIP revision must include 
processes and procedures to be followed by the MPO, state DOT, and US 
DOT in consulting with the state and local air quality agencies and EPA 
before making conformity determinations. The SIP revision must also 
include processes and procedures for the state and local air quality 
agencies and EPA to coordinate the development of applicable SIPs with 
MPOs, state DOTs, and the US DOT.
    In 2004, EPA approved the State of South Carolina's initial 
conformity SIP revision which incorporated by reference 40 CFR part 93, 
subpart A (67 FR 50808), and customized 40 CFR 93.105, 
93.122(a)(4)(ii), and 93.125(c) for all of the MPOs in the entire state 
and for the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SC DOT). 69 FR 
4245. Specifically, the State of South Carolina established a MOA for 
implementing the conformity criteria and consultation procedures for 
all transportation-related pollutants. On July 28, 2009, EPA approved a 
revision to the SC MOA to address the relevant NAAQS and SAFTEA-LU 
amendments. 74 FR 37168.

III. State Submittal and EPA Evaluation

    On October 13, 2015, the State of South Carolina, through SC DHEC, 
submitted the Statewide conformity and interagency consultation SIP, 
based on a new MOA signed by all of the MPOs in the State \1\ and SC 
DOT, to EPA as a revision to the SIP. The SIP revision establishes 
procedures for interagency consultation and, upon EPA approval, 
supersedes the SIP revision that EPA approved on July 28, 2009. See 74 
FR 37168.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Although South Carolina currently has only one nonattainment 
area (i.e., a portion of York County) for the 2008 8-hour ozone 
NAAQS, its MOA covers all of the MPOs in the State should any new 
areas become subject to conformity requirements for a 
transportation-related pollutant in the future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, the SC DEHC is now proposing certain updates, 
including a reorganization that incorporates Exhibits 1 and 2 to the 
previous MOA into the new MOA itself, as well as the addition of the 
Lowcountry Area Transportation Study (LATS) to the list of MPOs which 
are signatories to the MOA. LATS is a newly established MPO that 
represents a new urbanized area designated as a result of the 2010 
Census. LATS covers the Town of Hilton Head Island, the Town of 
Bluffton, and parts of unincorporated Beaufort County. The State also 
seeks approval of the following additional changes from the old MOA: 
Clarification of the responsibilities of the MPOs, grammar and 
punctuation changes, recodification of sections C, D and E for ease of 
reading, the addition of language to specifically address the 
requirements of 40 CFR 93.122(a)(4)(ii) and 93.125(c), and the addition 
of a new ``General Provisions'' section (section F).
    As noted in EPA's 2009 approval, 74 FR 37168, the State of South 
Carolina developed its consultation SIP based on the elements contained 
in 40 CFR 93.105, 93.122(a)(4)(ii), and 93.125(c) and included it in 
the SIP. As a first step, the State worked with the existing 
transportation planning organization's interagency committee that 
included representatives from the SC DHEC; SC DOT; all of the MPOs in 
the State; Federal Highway Administration--South Carolina Division; 
Federal Transit Administration; and the Region 4 office of EPA. The 
interagency committee met

[[Page 19497]]

regularly and drafted the consultation procedures, considering elements 
in 40 CFR 93.105, 93.122(a)(4)(ii), and 93.125(c), and integrated the 
local procedures and processes into the MOA. The resulting consultation 
process developed is unique to the State of South Carolina. SC DHEC 
offered the opportunity for a public hearing regarding the new MOA on 
January 6, 2015, but no hearing was requested and thus none was held. 
No comments, written or oral, were received from the public. The final 
MOA was issued by South Carolina on October 13, 2015, and subsequently 
submitted to EPA as a SIP revision.
    EPA has evaluated this SIP revision and has determined that the 
State has met the requirements of federal transportation conformity 
rules as described in 40 CFR part 51, subpart T and 40 CFR part 93, 
subpart A. SC DHEC has satisfied the public participation and 
comprehensive interagency consultation requirement during development 
and adoption of the MOA at the local level. Therefore, EPA is approving 
the updated MOA as a revision to the South Carolina SIP.
    EPA has reviewed the submittal to assure consistency with the CAA 
as amended by SAFETEA-LU and EPA regulations (40 CFR part 93 and 40 CFR 
51.390) governing state procedures for transportation conformity and 
interagency consultation and has concluded that the submittal is 
approvable.

IV. Final Action

    EPA is taking direct final action under sections 110 and 176 of the 
Act to approve the rule implementing the conformity criteria and 
consultation procedures revision to the South Carolina SIP pursuant to 
the CAA, as a revision to the South Carolina SIP. This action also 
establishes consultation procedures for all counties in South Carolina. 
As a result of this action, South Carolina's previously SIP-approved 
conformity procedures at 74 FR 37168 will be replaced by the procedures 
submitted to EPA on October 13, 2015, for approval and adopted by State 
of South Carolina on October 23, 2015.
    EPA is publishing this rule without prior proposal because the 
Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no 
adverse comments. However, in the proposed rules section of this 
Federal Register publication, EPA is publishing a separate document 
that will serve as the proposal to approve the SIP revision should 
adverse comments be filed. This rule will be effective June 6, 2016 
without further notice unless the Agency receives adverse comments by 
May 5, 2016.
    If EPA receives such comments, then EPA will publish a document 
withdrawing the final rule and informing the public that the rule will 
not take effect. All public comments received will then be addressed in 
a subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule. EPA will not 
institute a second comment period. Parties interested in commenting 
should do so at this time. If no such comments are received, the public 
is advised that this rule will be effective on June 6, 2016 and no 
further action will be taken on the proposed rule.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable 
Federal regulations. See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely approves state law as meeting Federal requirements and 
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state 
law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
     does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or 
in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a 
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the rule does 
not have tribal implications as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 
FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it impose substantial direct 
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by June 6, 2016. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect 
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor 
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may 
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or 
action. Parties with objections to this direct final rule are 
encouraged to file a comment in response to the parallel notice of 
proposed rulemaking for this action published in the proposed rules 
section of this issue of the Federal Register; rather than file an 
immediate petition for judicial review of this direct final rule, so 
that EPA can withdraw this direct final rule and address the comment in 
the proposed rulemaking. This action may not be challenged later in 
proceedings to enforce its requirements. See section 307(b)(2).

[[Page 19498]]

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Intergovernmental relations, Incorporation by reference, 
Intergovernmental relations, Incorporation by reference Nitrogen 
dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile 
organic compounds.

    Dated: March 25, 2016.
Heather McTeer Toney,
Regional Administrator, Region 4.

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42.U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Subpart (PP)--South Carolina

0
2. Section 52.2120(e) is amended by adding an entry at the end of the 
table for ``South Carolina Transportation Conformity Air Quality 
Implementation Plan'' to read as follows:


Sec.  52.2120(e)  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

                              EPA Approved South Carolina Non-Regulatory Provisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               State
                Provision                 effective date       EPA approval date              Explanation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
South Carolina Transportation Conformity      10/23/2015  4/5/2016, [Insert citation
 Air Quality Implementation Plan.                          of publication]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2016-07811 Filed 4-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 65 / Tuesday, April 5, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                        19495

                                           excluding section 4.4 (‘‘Contingency                       In this instance, the EPA received                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                           Reductions’’).                                          adverse comments on a certain test                    AGENCY
                                           [FR Doc. 2016–07668 Filed 4–4–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                   method for which the EPA had
                                                                                                   approved rescission. The relevant test                40 CFR Part 52
                                           BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                                                                   method was included in a SIP revision                 [EPA–R04–OAR–2015–0696; FRL–9944–55-
                                                                                                   submitted by ADEQ on January 23, 1979                 Region 4]
                                           ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                that also included a number of other test
                                                                                                   methods and certain performance test                  Air Plan Approval; South Carolina;
                                           AGENCY
                                                                                                   specifications, all of which were                     Transportation Conformity Update
                                           40 CFR Part 52                                          approved by the EPA at 47 FR 17483                    AGENCY: Environmental Protection
                                                                                                   (April 23, 1982). The EPA’s approval of               Agency (EPA).
                                           [EPA–R09–OAR–2016–0028; FRL–9944–56–                    the test methods and performance test                 ACTION: Direct final rule.
                                           Region 9]                                               specifications submitted on January 23,
                                                                                                   1979 and approved on April 23, 1982                   SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection
                                           Approval of Air Plan Revisions;                                                                               Agency (EPA) is taking direct final
                                                                                                   was codified at 40 CFR
                                           Arizona; Rescissions and Corrections                                                                          action to approve a revision to the South
                                                                                                   52.120(c)(29)(i)(A).
                                                                                                                                                         Carolina State Implementation Plan
                                           AGENCY:   Environmental Protection                         The EPA’s action on the rescission of              (SIP) submitted on October 13, 2015,
                                           Agency (EPA).                                           the test methods and performance test                 through the South Carolina Department
                                           ACTION: Partial withdrawal of direct                    specifications submitted on January 23,               of Health and Environmental Control
                                           final rule.                                             1979 and approved on April 23, 1982 is                (SC DHEC). This revision consists of
                                                                                                   severable from the rest of the direct final           transportation conformity criteria and
                                           SUMMARY:    Due to the receipt of adverse
                                                                                                   rule. Thus, the EPA is withdrawing only               procedures related to interagency
                                           comments, the Environmental
                                                                                                   the portion of the direct final rule                  consultation and enforceability of
                                           Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing
                                                                                                   related to those test methods and                     certain transportation-related control
                                           a portion of the February 11, 2016 direct
                                                                                                   performance test specifications. The                  measures and mitigation measures. The
                                           final rule approving certain revisions to
                                                                                                   EPA will address the comments in a                    intended effect of this approval is to
                                           the Arizona State Implementation Plan
                                                                                                   separate final action covering the state’s            update the transportation conformity
                                           (SIP) and correcting certain errors. The
                                                                                                   rescission of the test methods and                    criteria and procedures in the South
                                           adverse comments relate to a particular
                                                                                                   performance test specifications                       Carolina SIP to reorganize previous
                                           test method and thus the EPA is
                                                                                                   submitted on January 23, 1979 (and                    exhibits into a single Memorandum of
                                           withdrawing the portion of the direct                                                                         Agreement (MOA) document as well as
                                           final rule that relates to the test methods             approved on April 23, 1982) based on
                                                                                                                                                         updating signatories to add the newly
                                           that include the test method for which                  the proposed action published on
                                                                                                                                                         established Lowcountry Area
                                           the adverse comments were received.                     February 11, 2016 (81 FR 7259). The                   Transportation Study (LATS) to the list
                                           DATES: The addition of paragraph                        EPA will not open a second comment                    of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
                                           (c)(29)(i)(B) published on February 11,                 period for the action on the state’s                  (MPOs), created to represent a new
                                           2016 at 81 FR 7214 is withdrawn,                        rescissions of the test methods and                   urbanized area designated as a result of
                                           effective April 5, 2016.                                performance test specifications. The                  the 2010 Census. EPA has determined
                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        other actions in the February 11, 2016                that this revision is consistent with the
                                           Andrew Steckel, EPA Region IX, (415)                    Federal Register direct final rule are not            Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).
                                           947–4115, steckel.andrew@epa.gov.                       affected.                                             DATES: This direct final rule is effective
                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On                           List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                    June 6, 2016 without further notice,
                                           February 11, 2016, the EPA published a                                                                        unless EPA receives adverse comment
                                           direct final rule approving a SIP                         Environmental protection, Air                       by May 5, 2016. If EPA receives such
                                           revision submitted by the Arizona                       pollution control, Incorporation by                   comments, it will publish a timely
                                           Department of Environmental Quality                     reference, Intergovernmental relations,               withdrawal of the direct final rule in the
                                           (ADEQ). In the February 11, 2016 direct                 Particulate matter, Reporting and                     Federal Register and inform the public
                                           final rule, the EPA also corrected certain              recordkeeping requirements.                           that the rule will not take effect.
                                           errors in previous actions on prior                                                                           ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                                                                     Dated: March 24, 2016.
                                           revisions to the Arizona SIP and to                                                                           identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–
                                           make certain other corrections. In the                  Jared Blumenfeld,                                     OAR–2015–0696 at http://
                                           direct final rule, the EPA stated that if               Regional Administrator, Region IX.                    www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                           adverse comments were received by                                                                             instructions for submitting comments.
                                           March 14, 2016, the EPA would publish                     Accordingly, the addition of                        Once submitted, comments cannot be
                                           a timely withdrawal and address the                     paragraph (c)(29)(i)(B) which was                     edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
                                           comments in a subsequent final rule                     published in the Federal Register on                  EPA may publish any comment received
                                           based on the proposed rule also                         February 11, 2016 (81 FR 7209) on page                to its public docket. Do not submit
                                           published on February 11, 2016 (81 FR                   7214 is withdrawn as of April 5, 2016.                electronically any information you
                                                                                                   [FR Doc. 2016–07666 Filed 4–4–16; 8:45 am]
                                           7259). The February 11, 2016 proposed                                                                         consider to be Confidential Business
                                           rule indicated that if the EPA receives                 BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                Information (CBI) or other information
                                           adverse comment on an amendment,                                                                              whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           paragraph, or section of the direct final                                                                     Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
                                           rule and if that provision may be                                                                             etc.) must be accompanied by a written
                                           severed from the remainder of the rule,                                                                       comment. The written comment is
                                           the EPA may adopt as final those                                                                              considered the official comment and
                                           provisions of the rule that are not the                                                                       should include discussion of all points
                                           subject of an adverse comment.                                                                                you wish to make. EPA will generally


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                                           19496                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 65 / Tuesday, April 5, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                           not consider comments or comment                        portions of the following three sections              Specifically, the State of South Carolina
                                           contents located outside of the primary                 of the Conformity Rule to the state’s                 established a MOA for implementing
                                           submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or                  individual circumstances: 40 CFR                      the conformity criteria and consultation
                                           other file sharing system). For                         93.105, which addresses consultation                  procedures for all transportation-related
                                           additional submission methods, the full                 procedures; 40 CFR 93.122(a)(4)(ii),                  pollutants. On July 28, 2009, EPA
                                           EPA public comment policy,                              which addresses written commitments                   approved a revision to the SC MOA to
                                           information about CBI or multimedia                     to control measures that are not                      address the relevant NAAQS and
                                           submissions, and general guidance on                    included in a MPO’s transportation plan               SAFTEA–LU amendments. 74 FR
                                           making effective comments, please visit                 and transportation improvement                        37168.
                                           http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/                            program that must be obtained prior to
                                                                                                                                                         III. State Submittal and EPA Evaluation
                                           commenting-epa-dockets.                                 a conformity determination, and the
                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        requirement that such commitments                        On October 13, 2015, the State of
                                           Kelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory                          must be fulfilled; and 40 CFR 93.125(c),              South Carolina, through SC DHEC,
                                           Management Section, Air Planning and                    which addresses written commitments                   submitted the Statewide conformity and
                                           Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides                  to mitigation measures that must be                   interagency consultation SIP, based on a
                                           and Toxics Management Division, U.S.                    obtained prior to a project-level                     new MOA signed by all of the MPOs in
                                           Environmental Protection Agency,                        conformity determination, and the                     the State 1 and SC DOT, to EPA as a
                                           Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW.,                        requirement that project sponsors must                revision to the SIP. The SIP revision
                                           Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Ms.                        comply with such commitments.                         establishes procedures for interagency
                                           Sheckler’s telephone number is 404–                        On August 10, 2005, the ‘‘Safe,                    consultation and, upon EPA approval,
                                           562–9992. She can also be reached via                   Accountable, Flexible, Efficient                      supersedes the SIP revision that EPA
                                           electronic mail at Sheckler.Kelly@                      Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for               approved on July 28, 2009. See 74 FR
                                           epa.gov.                                                Users’’ (SAFETEA–LU) was signed into                  37168.
                                                                                                   law. SAFETEA–LU revised section                          Specifically, the SC DEHC is now
                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                                                                    proposing certain updates, including a
                                                                                                   176(c) of the CAA transportation
                                           I. Transportation Conformity                            conformity provisions. One of the                     reorganization that incorporates
                                                                                                   changes streamlined the requirements                  Exhibits 1 and 2 to the previous MOA
                                              Transportation conformity (hereafter
                                                                                                   for conformity SIPs. Under SAFETEA–                   into the new MOA itself, as well as the
                                           referred to as ‘‘conformity’’) is required
                                                                                                   LU, states are required to address and                addition of the Lowcountry Area
                                           under section 176(c) of the CAA to
                                                                                                   tailor only three sections of the rule in             Transportation Study (LATS) to the list
                                           ensure that federally supported highway
                                                                                                   their conformity SIPs: 40 CFR 93.105, 40              of MPOs which are signatories to the
                                           and transit activities are consistent with
                                                                                                   CFR 93.122(a)(4)(ii), and, 40 CFR                     MOA. LATS is a newly established
                                           (‘‘conform to’’) the purpose of the SIP.                                                                      MPO that represents a new urbanized
                                           Conformity currently applies to areas                   93.125(c), described above. In general,
                                                                                                   states are no longer required to submit               area designated as a result of the 2010
                                           that are designated nonattainment, and                                                                        Census. LATS covers the Town of
                                           to areas that have been redesignated to                 conformity SIP revisions that address
                                                                                                   the other sections of the Conformity                  Hilton Head Island, the Town of
                                           attainment after 1990 (i.e., maintenance                                                                      Bluffton, and parts of unincorporated
                                           areas) with plans developed under                       Rule. These changes took effect on
                                                                                                   August 10, 2005, when SAFETEA–LU                      Beaufort County. The State also seeks
                                           section 175A of the Act, for the                                                                              approval of the following additional
                                                                                                   was signed into law.
                                           following transportation related criteria                                                                     changes from the old MOA: Clarification
                                           pollutants: Ozone, particulate matter                   B. South Carolina Transportation                      of the responsibilities of the MPOs,
                                           (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10), carbon                          Conformity SIP                                        grammar and punctuation changes,
                                           monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide.                           The Conformity Rule requires the                    recodification of sections C, D and E for
                                              Conformity to the purpose of the SIP                 states to develop their own processes                 ease of reading, the addition of language
                                           means that transportation activities will               and procedures for interagency                        to specifically address the requirements
                                           not cause or contribute to new air                      consultation among the Federal, state,                of 40 CFR 93.122(a)(4)(ii) and 93.125(c),
                                           quality violations, worsen existing                     and local agencies and resolution of                  and the addition of a new ‘‘General
                                           violations, or delay timely attainment of               conflicts meeting the criteria in 40 CFR              Provisions’’ section (section F).
                                           the national ambient air quality                        93.105. The conformity SIP revision                      As noted in EPA’s 2009 approval, 74
                                           standards (NAAQS) for the relevant                      must include processes and procedures                 FR 37168, the State of South Carolina
                                           criteria pollutants. The conformity                     to be followed by the MPO, state DOT,                 developed its consultation SIP based on
                                           regulation is found in 40 CFR part 93                   and US DOT in consulting with the state               the elements contained in 40 CFR
                                           and provisions related to conformity                    and local air quality agencies and EPA                93.105, 93.122(a)(4)(ii), and 93.125(c)
                                           SIPs are found in 40 CFR 51.390.                        before making conformity                              and included it in the SIP. As a first
                                           II. Background for This Action                          determinations. The SIP revision must                 step, the State worked with the existing
                                                                                                   also include processes and procedures                 transportation planning organization’s
                                           A. Federal Requirements                                 for the state and local air quality                   interagency committee that included
                                              EPA promulgated the Federal                          agencies and EPA to coordinate the                    representatives from the SC DHEC; SC
                                           transportation conformity criteria and                  development of applicable SIPs with                   DOT; all of the MPOs in the State;
                                           procedures (‘‘Conformity Rule’’) on                     MPOs, state DOTs, and the US DOT.                     Federal Highway Administration—
                                           November 24, 1993. 58 FR 62188.                           In 2004, EPA approved the State of                  South Carolina Division; Federal Transit
                                           Among other things, the rule required                   South Carolina’s initial conformity SIP               Administration; and the Region 4 office
                                           states to address all provisions of the                 revision which incorporated by                        of EPA. The interagency committee met
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                                           conformity rule in their SIPs, frequently               reference 40 CFR part 93, subpart A (67
                                           referred to as ‘‘conformity SIPs.’’ Under               FR 50808), and customized 40 CFR                         1 Although South Carolina currently has only one

                                           40 CFR 51.390, most sections of the                     93.105, 93.122(a)(4)(ii), and 93.125(c)               nonattainment area (i.e., a portion of York County)
                                                                                                                                                         for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS, its MOA covers
                                           Conformity Rule were required to be                     for all of the MPOs in the entire state               all of the MPOs in the State should any new areas
                                           copied verbatim into the SIP. States                    and for the South Carolina Department                 become subject to conformity requirements for a
                                           were also required to tailor all or                     of Transportation (SC DOT). 69 FR 4245.               transportation-related pollutant in the future.



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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 65 / Tuesday, April 5, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                         19497

                                           regularly and drafted the consultation                  without further notice unless the                     Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because
                                           procedures, considering elements in 40                  Agency receives adverse comments by                   application of those requirements would
                                           CFR 93.105, 93.122(a)(4)(ii), and                       May 5, 2016.                                          be inconsistent with the CAA; and
                                           93.125(c), and integrated the local                        If EPA receives such comments, then                   • does not provide EPA with the
                                           procedures and processes into the MOA.                  EPA will publish a document                           discretionary authority to address, as
                                           The resulting consultation process                      withdrawing the final rule and                        appropriate, disproportionate human
                                           developed is unique to the State of                     informing the public that the rule will               health or environmental effects, using
                                           South Carolina. SC DHEC offered the                     not take effect. All public comments                  practicable and legally permissible
                                           opportunity for a public hearing                        received will then be addressed in a                  methods, under Executive Order 12898
                                           regarding the new MOA on January 6,                     subsequent final rule based on the                    (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
                                           2015, but no hearing was requested and                  proposed rule. EPA will not institute a
                                           thus none was held. No comments,                        second comment period. Parties                           The SIP is not approved to apply on
                                           written or oral, were received from the                 interested in commenting should do so                 any Indian reservation land or in any
                                           public. The final MOA was issued by                     at this time. If no such comments are                 other area where EPA or an Indian tribe
                                           South Carolina on October 13, 2015, and                 received, the public is advised that this             has demonstrated that a tribe has
                                           subsequently submitted to EPA as a SIP                  rule will be effective on June 6, 2016                jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian
                                           revision.                                               and no further action will be taken on                country, the rule does not have tribal
                                              EPA has evaluated this SIP revision                  the proposed rule.                                    implications as specified by Executive
                                           and has determined that the State has                                                                         Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
                                           met the requirements of federal                         V. Statutory and Executive Order                      2000), nor will it impose substantial
                                           transportation conformity rules as                      Reviews                                               direct costs on tribal governments or
                                           described in 40 CFR part 51, subpart T                     Under the CAA, the Administrator is                preempt tribal law.
                                           and 40 CFR part 93, subpart A. SC                       required to approve a SIP submission                     The Congressional Review Act, 5
                                           DHEC has satisfied the public                           that complies with the provisions of the              U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
                                           participation and comprehensive                         Act and applicable Federal regulations.               Business Regulatory Enforcement
                                           interagency consultation requirement                    See 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).               Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
                                           during development and adoption of the                  Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,                   that before a rule may take effect, the
                                           MOA at the local level. Therefore, EPA                  EPA’s role is to approve state choices,               agency promulgating the rule must
                                           is approving the updated MOA as a                       provided that they meet the criteria of               submit a rule report, which includes a
                                           revision to the South Carolina SIP.                     the CAA. Accordingly, this action                     copy of the rule, to each House of the
                                              EPA has reviewed the submittal to                    merely approves state law as meeting                  Congress and to the Comptroller General
                                           assure consistency with the CAA as                      Federal requirements and does not                     of the United States. EPA will submit a
                                           amended by SAFETEA–LU and EPA                           impose additional requirements beyond                 report containing this action and other
                                           regulations (40 CFR part 93 and 40 CFR                  those imposed by state law. For that                  required information to the U.S. Senate,
                                           51.390) governing state procedures for                  reason, this action:                                  the U.S. House of Representatives, and
                                           transportation conformity and                              • Is not a significant regulatory action           the Comptroller General of the United
                                           interagency consultation and has                        subject to review by the Office of                    States prior to publication of the rule in
                                           concluded that the submittal is                         Management and Budget under                           the Federal Register. A major rule
                                           approvable.                                             Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                  cannot take effect until 60 days after it
                                           IV. Final Action                                        October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,               is published in the Federal Register.
                                                                                                   January 21, 2011);                                    This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
                                             EPA is taking direct final action under                  • does not impose an information
                                           sections 110 and 176 of the Act to                                                                            defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                                                                                   collection burden under the provisions
                                           approve the rule implementing the                       of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                       Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
                                           conformity criteria and consultation                    U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                 petitions for judicial review of this
                                           procedures revision to the South                           • is certified as not having a                     action must be filed in the United States
                                           Carolina SIP pursuant to the CAA, as a                  significant economic impact on a                      Court of Appeals for the appropriate
                                           revision to the South Carolina SIP. This                substantial number of small entities                  circuit by June 6, 2016. Filing a petition
                                           action also establishes consultation                    under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5               for reconsideration by the Administrator
                                           procedures for all counties in South                    U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                  of this final rule does not affect the
                                           Carolina. As a result of this action,                      • does not contain any unfunded                    finality of this action for the purposes of
                                           South Carolina’s previously SIP-                        mandate or significantly or uniquely                  judicial review nor does it extend the
                                           approved conformity procedures at 74                    affect small governments, as described                time within which a petition for judicial
                                           FR 37168 will be replaced by the                        in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                   review may be filed, and shall not
                                           procedures submitted to EPA on                          of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);                              postpone the effectiveness of such rule
                                           October 13, 2015, for approval and                         • does not have Federalism                         or action. Parties with objections to this
                                           adopted by State of South Carolina on                   implications as specified in Executive                direct final rule are encouraged to file a
                                           October 23, 2015.                                       Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                  comment in response to the parallel
                                             EPA is publishing this rule without                   1999);                                                notice of proposed rulemaking for this
                                           prior proposal because the Agency                          • is not an economically significant               action published in the proposed rules
                                           views this as a noncontroversial                        regulatory action based on health or                  section of this issue of the Federal
                                           submittal and anticipates no adverse                    safety risks subject to Executive Order               Register; rather than file an immediate
                                           comments. However, in the proposed                      13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                  petition for judicial review of this direct
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                                           rules section of this Federal Register                     • is not a significant regulatory action           final rule, so that EPA can withdraw
                                           publication, EPA is publishing a                        subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR               this direct final rule and address the
                                           separate document that will serve as the                28355, May 22, 2001);                                 comment in the proposed rulemaking.
                                           proposal to approve the SIP revision                       • is not subject to requirements of                This action may not be challenged later
                                           should adverse comments be filed. This                  Section 12(d) of the National                         in proceedings to enforce its
                                           rule will be effective June 6, 2016                     Technology Transfer and Advancement                   requirements. See section 307(b)(2).


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                                           19498                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 65 / Tuesday, April 5, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                           List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52                        Dated: March 25, 2016.                                Subpart (PP)—South Carolina
                                                                                                   Heather McTeer Toney,
                                             Environmental protection, Air                         Regional Administrator, Region 4.                       ■ 2. Section 52.2120(e) is amended by
                                           pollution control, Carbon monoxide,                                                                             adding an entry at the end of the table
                                           Intergovernmental relations,                                  40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
                                                                                                                                                           for ‘‘South Carolina Transportation
                                           Incorporation by reference,                             PART 52—APPROVAL AND                                    Conformity Air Quality Implementation
                                           Intergovernmental relations,                            PROMULGATION OF                                         Plan’’ to read as follows:
                                           Incorporation by reference Nitrogen                     IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                           dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and                                                                                   § 52.2120(e)     Identification of plan.
                                           recordkeeping requirements, Volatile                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52                 *       *    *       *      *
                                           organic compounds.                                      continues to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                               (e) * * *
                                                                                                       Authority: 42.U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

                                                                                 EPA APPROVED SOUTH CAROLINA NON-REGULATORY PROVISIONS
                                                                                                                      State effective
                                                                        Provision                                                               EPA approval date                      Explanation
                                                                                                                           date


                                                    *                   *                 *                                   *                      *                      *                     *
                                           South Carolina Transportation Conformity Air Quality Imple-                    10/23/2015     4/5/2016, [Insert citation of
                                             mentation Plan.                                                                               publication]



                                           [FR Doc. 2016–07811 Filed 4–4–16; 8:45 am]              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:      Luis              Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–612, a regulatory
                                           BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering                           flexibility analysis is not required.
                                                                                                   Management Branch, Federal Insurance                       Regulatory Classification. This final
                                                                                                   and Mitigation Administration, Federal                  rule is not a significant regulatory action
                                           DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                  Emergency Management Agency, 500 C                      under the criteria of section 3(f) of
                                           SECURITY                                                Street SW., Washington, DC 20472,                       Executive Order 12866 of September 30,
                                                                                                   (202) 646–4064, or (email)                              1993, Regulatory Planning and Review,
                                           Federal Emergency Management                            Luis.Rodriguez3@fema.dhs.gov.                           58 FR 51735.
                                           Agency                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                                                                              Executive Order 13132, Federalism.
                                                                                                   Federal Emergency Management Agency
                                                                                                                                                           This final rule involves no policies that
                                           44 CFR Part 67                                          (FEMA) makes the final determinations
                                                                                                                                                           have federalism implications under
                                                                                                   listed below for the modified BFEs for
                                           [Docket ID FEMA–2016–0002]                                                                                      Executive Order 13132.
                                                                                                   each community listed. These modified
                                                                                                   elevations have been published in                          Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
                                           Final Flood Elevation Determinations                    newspapers of local circulation and                     Reform. This final rule meets the
                                           AGENCY:  Federal Emergency                              ninety (90) days have elapsed since that                applicable standards of Executive Order
                                           Management Agency, DHS.                                 publication. The Deputy Associate                       12988.
                                           ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                   Administrator for Mitigation has                        List of Subjects in 44 CFR Part 67
                                                                                                   resolved any appeals resulting from this
                                           SUMMARY:   Base (1% annual-chance)                      notification.                                             Administrative practice and
                                           Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified                       This final rule is issued in accordance              procedure, Flood insurance, Reporting
                                           BFEs are made final for the                             with section 110 of the Flood Disaster                  and recordkeeping requirements.
                                           communities listed below. The BFEs                      Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. 4104,                   Dated: March 10, 2016.
                                           and modified BFEs are the basis for the                 and 44 CFR part 67. FEMA has
                                                                                                                                                           Roy E. Wright,
                                           floodplain management measures that                     developed criteria for floodplain
                                                                                                   management in floodprone areas in                       Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance
                                           each community is required either to                                                                            and Mitigation, Department of Homeland
                                           adopt or to show evidence of being                      accordance with 44 CFR part 60.                         Security, Federal Emergency Management
                                           already in effect in order to qualify or                   Interested lessees and owners of real                Agency.
                                           remain qualified for participation in the               property are encouraged to review the
                                           National Flood Insurance Program                        proof Flood Insurance Study and FIRM                      Accordingly, 44 CFR part 67 is
                                           (NFIP).                                                 available at the address cited below for                amended as follows:
                                                                                                   each community. The BFEs and
                                           DATES:  The date of issuance of the Flood               modified BFEs are made final in the                     PART 67—[AMENDED]
                                           Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) showing                       communities listed below. Elevations at
                                           BFEs and modified BFEs for each                         selected locations in each community                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 67
                                           community. This date may be obtained                    are shown.                                              continues to read as follows:
                                           by contacting the office where the maps                    National Environmental Policy Act.                     Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.;
                                           are available for inspection as indicated               This final rule is categorically excluded               Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978, 3 CFR,
                                           in the table below.                                     from the requirements of 44 CFR part                    1978 Comp., p. 329; E.O. 12127, 44 FR 19367,
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                                           ADDRESSES: The final BFEs for each                      10, Environmental Consideration. An                     3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 376.
                                           community are available for inspection                  environmental impact assessment has                     § 67.11   [Amended]
                                           at the office of the Chief Executive                    not been prepared.
                                           Officer of each community. The                             Regulatory Flexibility Act. As flood                 ■ 2. The tables published under the
                                           respective addresses are listed in the                  elevation determinations are not within                 authority of § 67.11 are amended as
                                           table below.                                            the scope of the Regulatory Flexibility                 follows:


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Document Created: 2018-02-07 13:53:32
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 13:53:32
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionDirect final rule.
DatesThis direct final rule is effective June 6, 2016 without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by May 5, 2016. If EPA receives such comments, it will publish a timely withdrawal of the direct final rule in the Federal Register and inform the public that the rule will not take effect.
ContactKelly Sheckler, Air Regulatory Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960. Ms. Sheckler's telephone number is 404-562-9992. She can also be reached via electronic mail at [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 19495 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Carbon Monoxide; Intergovernmental Relations; Incorporation by Reference; Incorporation by Reference Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Volatile Organic Compounds

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