Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans for Colorado and Montana: Transportation Conformity

요약

EPA is proposing to take direct final action to approve revisions to the Colorado and Montana State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that incorporate consultation procedures for transportation conformity. The conformity rules assure that in air quality nonattainment or maintenance areas, projected emissions from transportation plans and projects stay within the motor vehicle emissions ceiling in the SIP. The transportation conformity SIP revisions enable the States to implement and enforce transportation conformity consultation procedures at the State level per regulations for 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 Laws. Our approval action would streamline the conformity process and allow direct consultation among agencies at the local levels. EPA is taking this action under section 110(k) and 176 of the Clean Air Act (Act). In the "Rules and Regulations" section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP revisions as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views these as non controversial revisions and anticipates