Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plan for New Mexico Albuquerque/Bernalillo County: General Conformity Rules

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Proposed rulemaking.

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This action proposes to approve a revision to the New Mexico State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County nonattainment area that contains general conformity rules. Specifically, the general conformity rules, if approved, will enable the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board to review conformity of all Federal actions (see 40 CFR Part 51, Subpart W-- Determining Conformity of General Federal Actions to State or Federal Implementation Plans) with the control strategy SIP's submitted for the nonattainment and maintenance areas within the boundary of Bernalillo County. This proposed action would streamline the conformity process and allow direct consultation among agencies at the local levels. The Federal actions by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration (under 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act) are covered by the transportation conformity rules under 40 CFR Part 51 Subpart T--Conformity to State or Federal Implementation Plans of Transportation Plans, Programs, and Projects Developed, Funded or Approved Under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act. The EPA approved the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County transportation conformity SIP on November 8, 1995 (60 FR 56241). In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, the EPA is approving this General Conformity SIP revision as a direct final rulemaking without prior proposal because the EPA views this action as noncontroversial and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to that direct final rule, no further activity is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If the EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in providing comments on this action should do so at this time.

Comments on this proposed rule must be received in writing, postmarked by October 15, 1996. If no adverse comments are received, then the direct final rule will be effective on November 12, 1996.

Copies of the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County General Conformity SIP and other relevant information are available for inspection during normal business hours at the following locations. Interested persons wanting to examine these documents should make an appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 hours before the visiting day:

Air Planning Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202, Telephone: (214) 665-7214. Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Air Pollution Control Division, Albuquerque Environmental Health Department, One Civic Plaza, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103, Telephone: (505) 768-2600.

Mr. J. Behnam, P. E.; Air Planning Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202, Telephone (214) 665-7247.