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

This rule sets forth the air quality designations and classifications for every area in the United States, including Indian country, for the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard. We are issuing this rule so that citizens will know whether the air where they live and work is healthful or unhealthful and to establish the boundaries and classifications for areas designated as nonattainment. Children are at risk when exposed to ozone pollution because their lungs are still developing, people with existing respiratory disease are at risk, and even healthy people who are active outdoors can experience difficulty breathing when exposed to ozone pollution. In this document, EPA is also promulgating the first deferral of the effective date, to September 30, 2005, of the nonattainment designation for Early Action Compact areas that have met all milestones through March 31, 2004. Finally, we are inviting States to submit by July 15, 2004, requests to reclassify areas if their design value falls within five percent of a high or lower classification. This rule does not establish or address State and Tribal obligations for planning and control requirements which apply to nonattainment areas for the 8-hour ozone standard. Two separate rules, one of which is also published today, set forth the planning and control requirements which apply to nonattainment areas for this standard. The second rule will be published at a later date.