Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Massachusetts; Determination of Attainment of the 1997 Ozone Standard for the Eastern Massachusetts Nonattainment Area

The EPA is proposing two separate and independent determinations regarding the Boston-Lawrence-Worcester (Eastern Massachusetts) moderate 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. First, based on complete, quality-assured and certified air monitoring data for 2007-2009, EPA is proposing to determine that the Eastern Massachusetts nonattainment area attained the 1997 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone as of the area's applicable attainment date, June 15, 2010. Second, EPA is proposing to determine that Eastern Massachusetts has attained the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, based upon complete, quality-assured and certified ambient air monitoring data that show the area monitored attainment of the 1997 8- hour ozone NAAQS for the 2008-2010 and 2009-2011 monitoring periods. If this latter proposed determination is made final, under the provisions of EPA's ozone implementation rule, the requirements for this area to submit an attainment demonstration, a reasonable further progress plan, contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plans related to attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS shall be suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 1997 ozone NAAQS. EPA is proposing these determinations under the Clean Air Act.

Agency Contact: Richard P. Burkhart, Air Quality Planning Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional Office, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109- 3912, telephone number (617) 918-1664, fax number (617) 918-0664, email Burkhart.Richard@epa.gov.