Air Quality Designations and Classifications for the 8-Hour Ozone; National Ambient Air Quality Standards; Early Action Compact Areas With Deferred Effective Dates

The EPA is granting a deferral of the effective date, to September 30, 2005, of the nonattainment designation for Hamilton and Meigs Counties, Tennessee, and Catoosa County, Georgia, based on additional information submitted by this area. The basis for this action is an updated modeling analysis completed by this area that demonstrates attainment of the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by December 31, 2007. In addition, in a letter dated May 27, 2004, from the Mayors of the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County to EPA, the area has fully committed to adopt and implement additional local measures on a schedule consistent with requirements for Early Action Compact (EAC) areas. These measures are also included in the updated modeling analysis.