Determination of Nonattainment and Reclassification of the Dallas/Fort Worth 1997 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area; Texas

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to determine that the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) 8-hour ozone nonattainment area did not attain the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard) by June 15, 2013, the attainment deadline set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for a Serious ozone nonattainment area under this standard. This proposal is based on EPA's review of complete, quality assured and certified ambient air quality monitoring data for the 2010-2012 monitoring period that are available in the EPA Air Quality System (AQS) database. If the EPA finalizes this determination, the DFW area will be reclassified by operation of law as a Severe ozone nonattainment area for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. The EPA is also proposing that Texas must submit to the EPA the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions to address the Severe ozone nonattainment area requirements of the Act no later than one year after the effective date of the final rulemaking for this reclassification.