Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Massachusetts and New Hampshire; Determination of Attainment of the One-Hour and 1997 Eight-Hour Ozone Standards for Eastern Massachusetts

The EPA is making three separate and independent determinations. First, the EPA is determining that the Boston-Lawrence- Worcester (Eastern Massachusetts), MA-NH serious one-hour ozone nonattainment area met the applicable deadline of November 15, 2007, for attaining the one-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. This final determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, certified ambient air monitoring data that show the area attained the level of the now revoked one-hour ozone NAAQS for the 2005-2007 monitoring period. Second, EPA is determining that the Boston-Lawrence-Worcester (Eastern Massachusetts) moderate 1997 eight- hour ozone nonattainment area attained the 1997 eight-hour NAAQS for ozone by its applicable attainment date (June 15, 2010), based upon complete, quality-assured, certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2007-2009 monitoring period. Third, EPA is determining that the Boston-Lawrence-Worcester (Eastern Massachusetts) moderate 1997 eight- hour ozone nonattainment area has attained the 1997 eight-hour NAAQS for ozone, based upon complete, quality-assured, certified ambient air monitoring data for 2008-2010 monitoring period, and continuing through 2011. 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 eight-hour ozone NAAQS shall be suspended for so long as the area continues to attain the 1997 ozone NAAQS.

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.