Interim Final Determination That the State of California Has Corrected Deficiencies and Stay of Sanctions, South Coast Air Quality Management District

Elsewhere in today's Federal Register, EPA has published a direct final rulemaking fully approving the State of California's submittal of a revision to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP). We have also published a proposed rulemaking to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on EPA's action. If a person submits adverse comments on our direct final action, we will withdraw our direct final rule and will consider any comments received before taking final action on the State's submittal. Based on the proposed full approval, we are making an interim final determination by this action that the State has corrected the deficiencies for which a sanctions clock began on August 25, 2000. This action will stay the imposition of the offset sanction and defer the imposition of the highway sanction. Although this action is effective upon publication, we will take comment. If no comments are received on our approval of the State's submittal and on our interim final determination, the direct final action published in today's Federal Register will also finalize our determination that the State has corrected the deficiencies that started the sanctions clock. If comments are received on our approval or on this interim final determination, we will publish a final rule taking into consideration any comments received.