83_FR_32197 83 FR 32064 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality State Implementation Plans; California; Chico Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan for the 2006 24-Hour PM2.5

83 FR 32064 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality State Implementation Plans; California; Chico Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan for the 2006 24-Hour PM2.5

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 133 (July 11, 2018)

Page Range32064-32067
FR Document2018-14445

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve, as a revision of the California state implementation plan (SIP), the State's request to redesignate the Chico nonattainment area to attainment for the 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or ``standard''). The EPA is also taking final action to approve the PM<INF>2.5</INF> maintenance plan and the determination that contributions from motor vehicle emissions in the Chico nonattainment area are insignificant. The EPA is approving this revision because it meets the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``the Act'') and EPA guidance for such plans.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32064-32067]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14445]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 52 and 81

[EPA-R09-OAR-2018-0181; FRL-9980-49--Region 9]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality State Implementation 
Plans; California; Chico Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan for 
the 2006 24-Hour PM2.5 Standard

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final 
action to approve, as a revision of the California state implementation 
plan (SIP), the State's request to redesignate the Chico nonattainment 
area to attainment for the 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter 
(PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or 
``standard''). The EPA is also taking final action to approve the 
PM2.5 maintenance plan and the determination that 
contributions from motor vehicle emissions in the Chico nonattainment 
area are insignificant. The EPA is approving this revision because it 
meets the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``the Act'') and 
EPA guidance for such plans.

DATES: This rule is effective on August 10, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-R09-OAR-2018-0181. All documents in the docket are 
listed on the http://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in 
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as 
copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be 
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket 
materials are available through http://www.regulations.gov, or please 
contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section for additional availability information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ginger Vagenas, Air Planning Office 
(AIR-2), Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, (415) 972-3964, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us,'' or 
``our'' refer to the EPA.

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Today's Final Actions
III. What are the effects of today's actions?
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Background

    On July 18, 1997, the EPA established the first air quality 
standards for PM2.5.\1\ The EPA promulgated an annual 
standard at a level of 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter ([micro]g/m\3\) 
based on a 3-year average of annual mean PM2.5 
concentrations. In the same rulemaking, the EPA promulgated a 24-hour 
standard of 65 [micro]g/m\3\ based on a 3-year average of the 98th 
percentile of 24-hour concentrations. On October 17, 2006, the EPA 
retained the annual average NAAQS at 15.0 [micro]g/m\3\ but revised the 
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS to 35 [micro]g/m\3\, based on the 3-year 
average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 62 FR 38652.
    \2\ 71 FR 61144.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Effective December 14, 2009, the EPA established initial air 
quality designations under subpart 1 of the Act for most areas in the 
United States for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, including 
the Chico area.\3\ \4\ Under subpart 1, within three years of the 
effective date of designations, states with areas designated as 
nonattainment for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS are required 
to submit SIP revisions that, among other elements, provide for 
implementation of reasonably available control measures (RACM), 
reasonable further progress (RFP), attainment of the standard as 
expeditiously as practicable but no later than five years from the 
nonattainment designation (in this instance, no later than December 14, 
2014), as well as contingency measures.\5\ \6\ Prior to the due date 
for

[[Page 32065]]

these submissions, the California Air Resources Board (CARB or 
``State'') requested that the EPA make a determination that, based on 
quality assured and certified data from the 2008-2010 period, the Chico 
PM2.5 nonattainment area had attained the 2006 24-hour 
PM2.5 NAAQS.\7\ In addition to requesting a finding of 
attainment, the State requested that the EPA suspend the attainment-
related planning requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ All 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS areas were 
designated under subpart 1 of the Act. Subpart 1 contains the 
general requirements for nonattainment areas for any pollutant 
governed by a NAAQS and is less prescriptive than the other subparts 
of title I, part D. See 74 FR 58688 (November 13, 2009).
    \4\ The boundaries for this area are described in 40 CFR 81.305.
    \5\ See CAA sections 172(a)(2), 172(c)(1), 172(c)(2), and 
172(c)(9).
    \6\ In response to a decision issued by the D.C. Circuit 
(Natural Resources Defense Council v. EPA, 706 F.3d 428 (D.C. Cir. 
2013), the EPA subsequently identified all PM2.5 
nonattainment areas for the 1997 and 2006 NAAQS as ``moderate'' 
nonattainment areas under subpart 4 and established a new SIP 
submission date of December 31, 2014, for moderate area attainment 
plans and for any additional attainment-related or nonattainment new 
source review plans necessary for areas to comply with the 
requirements applicable under subpart 4. We also noted that the 
moderate area attainment deadline under subpart 4 is no later than 
December 31, 2015. See 79 FR 31566 (June 2, 2014).
    \7\ Letter from James N. Goldstene, Executive Officer, CARB, to 
Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX, dated June 
2, 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Effective October 10, 2013, the EPA determined that the Chico 
nonattainment area had attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
standard based on the 2010-2012 monitoring period.\8\ Based on that 
determination and pursuant to 40 CFR 51.1004(c), the requirements for 
this area to submit an attainment demonstration, together with RACM, an 
RFP plan, and contingency measures for failure to meet RFP and 
attainment deadlines were suspended for so long as the area continued 
to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS or until the area is 
redesignated to attainment.\9\ The EPA subsequently issued a 
determination that the Chico PM2.5 nonattainment area had 
attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS by the applicable 
attainment date of December 31, 2015, based on 2013-2015 data.\10\ On 
December 18, 2017, CARB submitted the ``Chico, CA/Butte County 
PM2.5 Nonattainment Area Redesignation Request and 
Maintenance Plan'' (``Chico PM2.5 Plan'' or ``Plan'') and 
requested that the EPA redesignate the Chico PM2.5 
nonattainment area to attainment for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
NAAQS.
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    \8\ 78 FR 55225 (September 10, 2013).
    \9\ For more information on the regulatory basis for determining 
attainment of the NAAQS, see the proposed determination of 
attainment at 77 FR 65651 (October 30, 2012).
    \10\ 82 FR 21711 (May 10, 2017).
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    On May 9, 2018, the EPA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
approve California's request to redesignate the Chico PM2.5 
nonattainment area to attainment for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
standard, as well as proposing to approve California's 10-year 
maintenance plan for the area.\11\ We also proposed to determine that 
the emission contributions from motor vehicles are insignificant. The 
proposed rulemaking set forth the basis for determining that 
California's redesignation request meets the CAA requirements for 
redesignation for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard and 
provided an extensive background on the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 
standard, CAA requirements for redesignation for the 2006 24-hour 
PM2.5 standard, and their relationship to air quality in the 
Chico nonattainment area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 83 FR 21238.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Our proposed rulemaking also described the complete, quality-
assured, and certified air quality monitoring data for the Chico 
nonattainment area for 2014-2016 showing that this area continued to 
attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard. Certified data for 
2017 and preliminary data for 2018 from non-regulatory monitors 
available on CARB's real-time website are also consistent with 
continued attainment of the standard.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ CARB's real-time AQMIS (Air Quality and Meteorological 
Information System) database can be found at: https://www.arb.ca.gov/aqmis2/aqmis2.php. AQMIS provides a combination of 
preliminary real-time data from both non-regulatory and regulatory 
monitors in addition to historical regulatory data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The EPA's proposed action provided a 30-day public comment period. 
During this period, we received one anonymous comment. After reviewing 
the comment, we determined that it was outside the scope of our 
proposed action and that it fails to identify any material issue 
necessitating a response. The comment has been added to the docket for 
this action and is accessible at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-R09-OAR-2018-0181.

II. Today's Final Actions

    Based on our review of the Chico PM2.5 Plan submitted by 
CARB, air quality monitoring data, and other relevant materials, and 
for the reasons described in our proposed rule, the EPA is approving 
under CAA section 107(d)(3)(D) the State's request to redesignate the 
Chico PM2.5 nonattainment area to attainment for the 2006 
24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. We are doing so based on our conclusion 
that the area has met the five criteria for redesignation under CAA 
section 107(d)(3)(E): (1) The area has attained the 24-hour 
PM2.5 NAAQS in the 2014-2016 time period and has continued 
to attain the PM2.5 standard since that time; (2) the 
relevant portions of the California SIP are fully approved; (3) the 
improvement in air quality is due to permanent and enforceable 
reductions in emissions; (4) California has met all requirements 
applicable to the Chico PM2.5 nonattainment area with 
respect to section 110 and part D of the CAA; and (5) the Chico 
PM2.5 Plan meets the requirements of section 175A of the 
CAA.
    Under CAA section 110(k)(3), the EPA is also approving the Chico 
PM2.5 Plan as a revision to the California SIP. The EPA 
finds that the maintenance demonstration shows that the area will 
continue to attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS for at least 
10 years beyond redesignation (i.e., through 2030) and that the 
contingency provisions, which describe the actions that the Butte 
County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) will take in the event 
of a future monitored violation, meet all applicable requirements for 
maintenance plans and related contingency provisions in CAA section 
175A. The EPA is also taking final action to approve the emission 
determination that contributions from motor vehicle emissions in the 
Chico nonattainment area are insignificant. The EPA is finalizing these 
actions because the SIP revision meets the requirements of the CAA, its 
implementing regulations, and EPA guidance for such plans.

III. What are the effects of today's actions?

    The EPA's approval of California's redesignation request changes 
the legal designation of a portion of Butte County (the Chico 
nonattainment area) for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, found 
at 40 CFR part 81, from nonattainment to attainment. Approval of 
BCAQMD's associated SIP revision also incorporates a plan for 
maintaining the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS in the Chico area 
through 2030 into the California SIP. The maintenance plan identifies 
contingency measures to remedy any future violations of the 2006 24-
hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
    As a result of the EPA's motor vehicle insignificance finding, the 
Butte County Association of Governments is no longer required to 
perform regional emissions analyses for either directly emitted 
PM2.5 or nitrogen oxides as part of future PM2.5 
conformity determinations for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS 
for the Chico area. The EPA's insignificance finding should, however, 
be noted in the transportation conformity documentation that is 
prepared for this area. Areas with insignificant regional motor vehicle 
emissions for a pollutant or precursor are still required to make a 
conformity determination that satisfies other relevant conformity 
requirements such as financial constraint, timely implementation of 
transportation control measures, and project level conformity.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the

[[Page 32066]]

Act and applicable federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 
52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the 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);
     is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 
2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under 
Executive Order 12866;
     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 Clean Air Act; and
     does not provide the EPA with the discretionary authority 
to address disproportionate human health or environmental effects with 
practical, appropriate, and legally permissible methods under Executive 
Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian 
reservation land or in any other area where the 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 and will not 
impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal 
law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 
2000). We offered to consult with the Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu 
Indians of California, the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of 
California, the Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California, and 
the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, which have lands within 
the Chico PM2.5 nonattainment area. The tribes did not 
respond to the EPA's offer to consult.
    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. The 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 Clean Air Act, petitions for 
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court 
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by September 10, 2018. 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. This action may not be challenged later in 
proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Ammonia, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen 
dioxide, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

40 CFR Part 81

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, National parks, 
Wilderness areas.

    Dated: June 26, 2018.
Deborah Jordan,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.

    Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations 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 F--California

0
2. Section 52.220 is amended by adding paragraph (c)(506) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  52.220  Identification of plan--in part.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (506) The following plan was submitted on December 18, 2017, by the 
Governor's designee.
    (i) [Reserved]
    (ii) Additional materials. (A) Butte County Air Quality Management 
District.
    (1) ``Chico, CA/Butte County PM2.5 Nonattainment Area 
Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan,'' adopted October 26, 2017.
    (2) [Reserved]

PART 81--DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PURPOSES

0
3. The authority citation for part 81 continues to read as follows:

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

Subpart C--Section 107 Attainment Status Designations

0
4. Section 81.305 is amended by revising the entry for ``Chico, CA'' in 
the table entitled ``California--2006 24-Hour PM2.5 NAAQS 
[Primary and secondary]'' to read as follows:


Sec.  81.305  California.

* * * * *

[[Page 32067]]



                                      California--2006 24-Hour PM2.5 NAAQS
                                             [Primary and secondary]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Designation \a\                         Classification
         Designated area         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Date \1\              Type              Date \2\              Type
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chico, CA:
    Butte County (part).........  August 10, 2018...  Attainment........
        That portion of Butte
         County which lies west
         of the line described
         as follows: (Mount
         Diablo Base and
         Meridian) Beginning at
         the intersection of the
         Butte-Yuba county line
         and the township line
         common to T18N R6E and
         T19N R6E, west to the
         township line common to
         T18N R6E and T19N R6E,
         then north along the
         range line common to
         R5E and R6E, then west
         along the township line
         common to T21N and
         T20N, then north along
         the range line common
         to R4E and R5E, then
         west along the township
         line common to T24N and
         T23N to the Butte-
         Tehama County boundary.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Includes Indian Country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
\1\ This date is 30 days after November 13, 2009, unless otherwise noted.
\2\ This date is July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted.

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2018-14445 Filed 7-10-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                             32064                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             § 52.2532      Motor vehicle emissions                         emissions budgets (MVEBs) for the                           Environmental Protection on March 14,
                                             budgets.                                                       Charleston, West Virginia 8-hour ozone                      2011:
                                               (a) EPA approves the following                               maintenance area submitted by the
                                             revised 2009 and 2018 motor vehicle                            Secretary of the Department of

                                                                                                                                                                                           Tons per day      Tons per day
                                                                                       Applicable geographic area                                                         Year              (tpd) VOC         (tpd) NOX

                                             Charleston Area (Kanawha and Putnam Counties) ....................................................................                   2009              16.7                38.9
                                             Charleston Area (Kanawha and Putnam Counties) ....................................................................                   2018              13.7                17.1



                                             *     *    *    *    *                                         emissions budgets (MVEBs) for the                           Secretary of the Department of
                                               (e) EPA approves the following                               Wheeling, West Virginia 8-hour ozone                        Environmental Protection on March 14,
                                             revised 2009 and 2018 motor vehicle                            maintenance area submitted by the                           2011:

                                                                                                                                                                                           Tons per day      Tons per day
                                                                                       Applicable geographic area                                                         Year              (tpd) VOC         (tpd) NOX

                                             Wheeling Area (Marshall and Ohio Counties) .............................................................................             2009              10.4                 9.1
                                             Wheeling Area (Marshall and Ohio Counties) .............................................................................             2018               9.1                 3.1



                                             *       *       *       *       *                              the http://www.regulations.gov website.                     NAAQS at 15.0 mg/m3 but revised the
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–14743 Filed 7–10–18; 8:45 am]                    Although listed in the index, some                          24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS to 35 mg/m3,
                                             BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                         information is not publicly available,                      based on the 3-year average of the 98th
                                                                                                            e.g., Confidential Business Information                     percentile of 24-hour concentrations.2
                                                                                                            (CBI) or other information whose                               Effective December 14, 2009, the EPA
                                             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                       disclosure is restricted by statute.                        established initial air quality
                                             AGENCY                                                         Certain other material, such as                             designations under subpart 1 of the Act
                                                                                                            copyrighted material, is not placed on                      for most areas in the United States for
                                             40 CFR Parts 52 and 81                                         the internet and will be publicly                           the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS,
                                             [EPA–R09–OAR–2018–0181; FRL–9980–                              available only in hard copy form.                           including the Chico area.3 4 Under
                                             49—Region 9]                                                   Publicly available docket materials are                     subpart 1, within three years of the
                                                                                                            available through http://                                   effective date of designations, states
                                             Approval and Promulgation of Air                               www.regulations.gov, or please contact
                                             Quality State Implementation Plans;                                                                                        with areas designated as nonattainment
                                                                                                            the person identified in the FOR FURTHER                    for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS are
                                             California; Chico Redesignation                                INFORMATION CONTACT section for
                                             Request and Maintenance Plan for the                                                                                       required to submit SIP revisions that,
                                                                                                            additional availability information.                        among other elements, provide for
                                             2006 24-Hour PM2.5 Standard
                                                                                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                            implementation of reasonably available
                                             AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                              Ginger Vagenas, Air Planning Office                         control measures (RACM), reasonable
                                             Agency (EPA).                                                  (AIR–2), Environmental Protection                           further progress (RFP), attainment of the
                                             ACTION: Final rule.                                            Agency, Region IX, (415) 972–3964,                          standard as expeditiously as practicable
                                                                                                            vagenas.ginger@epa.gov.                                     but no later than five years from the
                                             SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                                                                                    nonattainment designation (in this
                                                                                                            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                             Agency (EPA) is taking final action to                                                                                     instance, no later than December 14,
                                                                                                            Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’
                                             approve, as a revision of the California                                                                                   2014), as well as contingency
                                                                                                            or ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.
                                             state implementation plan (SIP), the                                                                                       measures.5 6 Prior to the due date for
                                             State’s request to redesignate the Chico                       Table of Contents
                                             nonattainment area to attainment for the                                                                                     2 71 FR 61144.
                                                                                                            I. Background
                                             2006 24-hour fine particulate matter                           II. Today’s Final Actions                                     3 All 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS areas were
                                             (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality                           III. What are the effects of today’s actions?               designated under subpart 1 of the Act. Subpart 1
                                             Standard (NAAQS or ‘‘standard’’). The                          IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews                   contains the general requirements for
                                             EPA is also taking final action to                                                                                         nonattainment areas for any pollutant governed by
                                                                                                            I. Background                                               a NAAQS and is less prescriptive than the other
                                             approve the PM2.5 maintenance plan                                                                                         subparts of title I, part D. See 74 FR 58688
                                             and the determination that                                       On July 18, 1997, the EPA established                     (November 13, 2009).
                                             contributions from motor vehicle                               the first air quality standards for PM2.5.1                   4 The boundaries for this area are described in 40

                                             emissions in the Chico nonattainment                           The EPA promulgated an annual                               CFR 81.305.
                                                                                                                                                                          5 See CAA sections 172(a)(2), 172(c)(1), 172(c)(2),
                                             area are insignificant. The EPA is                             standard at a level of 15.0 micrograms                      and 172(c)(9).
                                             approving this revision because it meets                       per cubic meter (mg/m3) based on a 3-                         6 In response to a decision issued by the D.C.
                                             the requirements of the Clean Air Act                          year average of annual mean PM2.5                           Circuit (Natural Resources Defense Council v. EPA,
                                             (CAA or ‘‘the Act’’) and EPA guidance                          concentrations. In the same rulemaking,                     706 F.3d 428 (D.C. Cir. 2013), the EPA subsequently
                                             for such plans.                                                the EPA promulgated a 24-hour                               identified all PM2.5 nonattainment areas for the
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES




                                                                                                                                                                        1997 and 2006 NAAQS as ‘‘moderate’’
                                             DATES: This rule is effective on August                        standard of 65 mg/m3 based on a 3-year                      nonattainment areas under subpart 4 and
                                             10, 2018.                                                      average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour                   established a new SIP submission date of December
                                             ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a                           concentrations. On October 17, 2006,                        31, 2014, for moderate area attainment plans and for
                                                                                                            the EPA retained the annual average                         any additional attainment-related or nonattainment
                                             docket for this action under Docket ID                                                                                     new source review plans necessary for areas to
                                             No. EPA–R09–OAR–2018–0181. All                                                                                             comply with the requirements applicable under
                                             documents in the docket are listed on                             1 62   FR 38652.                                         subpart 4. We also noted that the moderate area



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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                         32065

                                             these submissions, the California Air                    provided an extensive background on                   as a revision to the California SIP. The
                                             Resources Board (CARB or ‘‘State’’)                      the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard, CAA                  EPA finds that the maintenance
                                             requested that the EPA make a                            requirements for redesignation for the                demonstration shows that the area will
                                             determination that, based on quality                     2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard, and their                continue to attain the 2006 24-hour
                                             assured and certified data from the                      relationship to air quality in the Chico              PM2.5 NAAQS for at least 10 years
                                             2008–2010 period, the Chico PM2.5                        nonattainment area.                                   beyond redesignation (i.e., through
                                             nonattainment area had attained the                         Our proposed rulemaking also                       2030) and that the contingency
                                             2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.7 In                            described the complete, quality-assured,              provisions, which describe the actions
                                             addition to requesting a finding of                      and certified air quality monitoring data             that the Butte County Air Quality
                                             attainment, the State requested that the                 for the Chico nonattainment area for                  Management District (BCAQMD) will
                                             EPA suspend the attainment-related                       2014–2016 showing that this area                      take in the event of a future monitored
                                             planning requirements.                                   continued to attain the 2006 24-hour                  violation, meet all applicable
                                                Effective October 10, 2013, the EPA                   PM2.5 standard. Certified data for 2017               requirements for maintenance plans and
                                             determined that the Chico                                and preliminary data for 2018 from non-               related contingency provisions in CAA
                                             nonattainment area had attained the                      regulatory monitors available on CARB’s               section 175A. The EPA is also taking
                                             2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard based on                     real-time website are also consistent                 final action to approve the emission
                                             the 2010–2012 monitoring period.8                        with continued attainment of the                      determination that contributions from
                                             Based on that determination and                          standard.12                                           motor vehicle emissions in the Chico
                                             pursuant to 40 CFR 51.1004(c), the                          The EPA’s proposed action provided                 nonattainment area are insignificant.
                                             requirements for this area to submit an                  a 30-day public comment period. During                The EPA is finalizing these actions
                                             attainment demonstration, together with                  this period, we received one anonymous                because the SIP revision meets the
                                             RACM, an RFP plan, and contingency                       comment. After reviewing the comment,                 requirements of the CAA, its
                                             measures for failure to meet RFP and                     we determined that it was outside the                 implementing regulations, and EPA
                                             attainment deadlines were suspended                      scope of our proposed action and that it              guidance for such plans.
                                             for so long as the area continued to                     fails to identify any material issue
                                                                                                                                                            III. What are the effects of today’s
                                             attain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS                      necessitating a response. The comment
                                                                                                                                                            actions?
                                             or until the area is redesignated to                     has been added to the docket for this
                                             attainment.9 The EPA subsequently                        action and is accessible at https://                     The EPA’s approval of California’s
                                             issued a determination that the Chico                    www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-                     redesignation request changes the legal
                                                                                                      R09-OAR-2018-0181.                                    designation of a portion of Butte County
                                             PM2.5 nonattainment area had attained
                                                                                                                                                            (the Chico nonattainment area) for the
                                             the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS by the                      II. Today’s Final Actions                             2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS, found at 40
                                             applicable attainment date of December
                                                                                                         Based on our review of the Chico                   CFR part 81, from nonattainment to
                                             31, 2015, based on 2013–2015 data.10
                                                                                                      PM2.5 Plan submitted by CARB, air                     attainment. Approval of BCAQMD’s
                                             On December 18, 2017, CARB submitted
                                                                                                      quality monitoring data, and other                    associated SIP revision also incorporates
                                             the ‘‘Chico, CA/Butte County PM2.5
                                                                                                      relevant materials, and for the reasons               a plan for maintaining the 2006 24-hour
                                             Nonattainment Area Redesignation
                                                                                                      described in our proposed rule, the EPA               PM2.5 NAAQS in the Chico area through
                                             Request and Maintenance Plan’’ (‘‘Chico
                                                                                                      is approving under CAA section                        2030 into the California SIP. The
                                             PM2.5 Plan’’ or ‘‘Plan’’) and requested
                                                                                                      107(d)(3)(D) the State’s request to                   maintenance plan identifies
                                             that the EPA redesignate the Chico
                                                                                                      redesignate the Chico PM2.5                           contingency measures to remedy any
                                             PM2.5 nonattainment area to attainment
                                                                                                      nonattainment area to attainment for the              future violations of the 2006 24-hour
                                             for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS.
                                                                                                      2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. We are                      PM2.5 NAAQS.
                                                On May 9, 2018, the EPA issued a                                                                               As a result of the EPA’s motor vehicle
                                                                                                      doing so based on our conclusion that
                                             notice of proposed rulemaking to                                                                               insignificance finding, the Butte County
                                                                                                      the area has met the five criteria for
                                             approve California’s request to                                                                                Association of Governments is no longer
                                                                                                      redesignation under CAA section
                                             redesignate the Chico PM2.5                                                                                    required to perform regional emissions
                                                                                                      107(d)(3)(E): (1) The area has attained
                                             nonattainment area to attainment for the                                                                       analyses for either directly emitted
                                                                                                      the 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS in the 2014–
                                             2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard, as well as                                                                        PM2.5 or nitrogen oxides as part of future
                                                                                                      2016 time period and has continued to
                                             proposing to approve California’s 10-                                                                          PM2.5 conformity determinations for the
                                                                                                      attain the PM2.5 standard since that
                                             year maintenance plan for the area.11                                                                          2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS for the
                                                                                                      time; (2) the relevant portions of the
                                             We also proposed to determine that the                                                                         Chico area. The EPA’s insignificance
                                                                                                      California SIP are fully approved; (3) the
                                             emission contributions from motor                                                                              finding should, however, be noted in
                                                                                                      improvement in air quality is due to
                                             vehicles are insignificant. The proposed                                                                       the transportation conformity
                                                                                                      permanent and enforceable reductions
                                             rulemaking set forth the basis for                                                                             documentation that is prepared for this
                                                                                                      in emissions; (4) California has met all
                                             determining that California’s                                                                                  area. Areas with insignificant regional
                                                                                                      requirements applicable to the Chico
                                             redesignation request meets the CAA                                                                            motor vehicle emissions for a pollutant
                                                                                                      PM2.5 nonattainment area with respect
                                             requirements for redesignation for the                                                                         or precursor are still required to make
                                                                                                      to section 110 and part D of the CAA;
                                             2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard and                                                                                a conformity determination that satisfies
                                                                                                      and (5) the Chico PM2.5 Plan meets the
                                                                                                      requirements of section 175A of the                   other relevant conformity requirements
                                             attainment deadline under subpart 4 is no later than
                                             December 31, 2015. See 79 FR 31566 (June 2, 2014).       CAA.                                                  such as financial constraint, timely
                                                7 Letter from James N. Goldstene, Executive              Under CAA section 110(k)(3), the EPA               implementation of transportation
                                             Officer, CARB, to Jared Blumenfeld, Regional             is also approving the Chico PM2.5 Plan                control measures, and project level
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                                             Administrator, EPA Region IX, dated June 2, 2011.                                                              conformity.
                                                8 78 FR 55225 (September 10, 2013).
                                                                                                        12 CARB’s real-time AQMIS (Air Quality and
                                                9 For more information on the regulatory basis for
                                                                                                      Meteorological Information System) database can be    IV. Statutory and Executive Order
                                             determining attainment of the NAAQS, see the             found at: https://www.arb.ca.gov/aqmis2/              Reviews
                                             proposed determination of attainment at 77 FR            aqmis2.php. AQMIS provides a combination of
                                             65651 (October 30, 2012).                                preliminary real-time data from both non-regulatory
                                                                                                                                                              Under the CAA, the Administrator is
                                                10 82 FR 21711 (May 10, 2017).
                                                                                                      and regulatory monitors in addition to historical     required to approve a SIP submission
                                                11 83 FR 21238.                                       regulatory data.                                      that complies with the provisions of the


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                                             32066             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             Act and applicable federal regulations.                  an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a               dioxide, Particulate matter, Reporting
                                             42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                      tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of             and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
                                             Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the                  Indian country, the rule does not have                oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
                                             EPA’s role is to approve state choices,                  tribal implications and will not impose
                                                                                                                                                            40 CFR Part 81
                                             provided that they meet the criteria of                  substantial direct costs on tribal
                                             the CAA. Accordingly, this action                        governments or preempt tribal law as                    Environmental protection, Air
                                             merely approves State law as meeting                     specified by Executive Order 13175 (65                pollution control, National parks,
                                             federal requirements and does not                        FR 67249, November 9, 2000). We                       Wilderness areas.
                                             impose additional requirements beyond                    offered to consult with the Enterprise                  Dated: June 26, 2018.
                                             those imposed by State law. For that                     Rancheria of Maidu Indians of                         Deborah Jordan,
                                             reason, this action:                                     California, the Berry Creek Rancheria of
                                                                                                                                                            Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
                                                • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory                   Maidu Indians of California, the
                                             action’’ subject to review by the Office                 Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians                    Part 52, chapter I, title 40 of the Code
                                             of Management and Budget under                           of California, and the Mechoopda Indian               of Federal Regulations is amended as
                                             Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                     Tribe of Chico Rancheria, which have                  follows:
                                             October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,                  lands within the Chico PM2.5
                                             January 21, 2011);                                       nonattainment area. The tribes did not                PART 52—APPROVAL AND
                                                • is not an Executive Order 13771 (82                 respond to the EPA’s offer to consult.                PROMULGATION OF
                                             FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory                       The Congressional Review Act, 5                    IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                             action because SIP approvals are                         U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
                                             exempted under Executive Order 12866;                    Business Regulatory Enforcement                       ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52
                                                • does not impose an information                      Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides              continues to read as follows:
                                             collection burden under the provisions                   that before a rule may take effect, the                   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                             of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                       agency promulgating the rule must
                                             U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                    submit a rule report, which includes a                Subpart F—California
                                                • is certified as not having a                        copy of the rule, to each House of the
                                             significant economic impact on a                         Congress and to the Comptroller General               ■ 2. Section 52.220 is amended by
                                             substantial number of small entities                     of the United States. The EPA will                    adding paragraph (c)(506) to read as
                                             under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                  submit a report containing this action                follows:
                                             U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                     and other required information to the
                                                                                                                                                            § 52.220    Identification of plan—in part.
                                                • does not contain any unfunded                       U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
                                                                                                      Representatives, and the Comptroller                  *      *    *    *    *
                                             mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                                                                                      General of the United States prior to                   (c) * * *
                                             affect small governments, as described
                                                                                                      publication of the rule in the Federal                  (506) The following plan was
                                             in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                                                                      Register. A major rule cannot take effect             submitted on December 18, 2017, by the
                                             of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
                                                                                                      until 60 days after it is published in the            Governor’s designee.
                                                • does not have Federalism
                                                                                                      Federal Register. This action is not a                  (i) [Reserved]
                                             implications as specified in Executive
                                             Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,                     ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C.                   (ii) Additional materials. (A) Butte
                                             1999);                                                   804(2).                                               County Air Quality Management
                                                • is not an economically significant                     Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean               District.
                                             regulatory action based on health or                     Air Act, petitions for judicial review of               (1) ‘‘Chico, CA/Butte County PM2.5
                                             safety risks subject to Executive Order                  this action must be filed in the United               Nonattainment Area Redesignation
                                             13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                     States Court of Appeals for the                       Request and Maintenance Plan,’’
                                                • is not a significant regulatory action              appropriate circuit by September 10,                  adopted October 26, 2017.
                                             subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR                  2018. Filing a petition for                             (2) [Reserved]
                                             28355, May 22, 2001);                                    reconsideration by the Administrator of
                                                                                                      this final rule does not affect the finality          PART 81—DESIGNATION OF AREAS
                                                • is not subject to requirements of                                                                         FOR AIR QUALITY PURPOSES
                                             Section 12(d) of the National                            of this action for the purposes of judicial
                                             Technology Transfer and Advancement                      review nor does it extend the time
                                                                                                      within which a petition for judicial                  ■ 3. The authority citation for part 81
                                             Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because                                                                       continues to read as follows:
                                             application of those requirements would                  review may be filed, and shall not
                                                                                                      postpone the effectiveness of such rule                   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                             be inconsistent with the Clean Air Act;
                                             and                                                      or action. This action may not be
                                                                                                      challenged later in proceedings to                    Subpart C—Section 107 Attainment
                                                • does not provide the EPA with the                                                                         Status Designations
                                             discretionary authority to address                       enforce its requirements. (See section
                                             disproportionate human health or                         307(b)(2).)
                                                                                                                                                            ■ 4. Section 81.305 is amended by
                                             environmental effects with practical,                    List of Subjects                                      revising the entry for ‘‘Chico, CA’’ in the
                                             appropriate, and legally permissible                                                                           table entitled ‘‘California—2006 24-
                                             methods under Executive Order 12898                      40 CFR Part 52
                                                                                                                                                            Hour PM2.5 NAAQS [Primary and
                                             (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                           Environmental protection, Air                       secondary]’’ to read as follows:
                                                In addition, the SIP is not approved                  pollution control, Ammonia,
                                             to apply on any Indian reservation land                  Incorporation by reference,                           § 81.305    California.
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                                             or in any other area where the EPA or                    Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen                 *       *     *     *     *




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                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                                      32067

                                                                                                             CALIFORNIA—2006 24-HOUR PM2.5 NAAQS
                                                                                                                                  [Primary and secondary]

                                                                                                                                                                       Designation a                      Classification
                                                                                      Designated area
                                                                                                                                                                  Date 1            Type              Date 2               Type

                                             Chico, CA:
                                                 Butte County (part) ..................................................................................   August 10,            Attainment.
                                                                                                                                                            2018.
                                                          That portion of Butte County which lies west of the line described
                                                            as follows: (Mount Diablo Base and Meridian) Beginning at the
                                                            intersection of the Butte-Yuba county line and the township line
                                                            common to T18N R6E and T19N R6E, west to the township
                                                            line common to T18N R6E and T19N R6E, then north along the
                                                            range line common to R5E and R6E, then west along the town-
                                                            ship line common to T21N and T20N, then north along the
                                                            range line common to R4E and R5E, then west along the town-
                                                            ship line common to T24N and T23N to the Butte-Tehama
                                                            County boundary.

                                                          *                            *                             *                            *                         *                     *                        *
                                                 a Includes   Indian Country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
                                                 1 This   date is 30 days after November 13, 2009, unless otherwise noted.
                                                 2 This   date is July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted.


                                             *       *        *        *        *
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–14445 Filed 7–10–18; 8:45 am]
                                             BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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Document Created: 2018-07-10 23:54:07
Document Modified: 2018-07-10 23:54:07
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
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis rule is effective on August 10, 2018.
ContactGinger Vagenas, Air Planning Office (AIR-2), Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, (415) 972-3964, [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 32064 
CFR Citation40 CFR 52
40 CFR 81
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Ammonia; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Sulfur Oxides; Volatile Organic Compounds; National Parks and Wilderness Areas

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