Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; Arkansas; Redesignation of the Crittenden County, AR Portion of the Memphis, Tennessee-Arkansas 1997 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area to Attainment

EPA is taking final action to approve a request submitted on February 24, 2009, from the State of Arkansas to redesignate the Arkansas portion of the bi-state Memphis, Tennessee-Arkansas 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as the "bi-state Memphis Area") to attainment for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The bi-state Memphis 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS nonattainment area is composed of Crittenden County, Arkansas and Shelby County, Tennessee. EPA's approval of the redesignation request is based on the determination that the bi-state Memphis Area has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA), including the determination that the bi-state Memphis Area has attained the 1997 8- hour ozone standard. Additionally, EPA is approving a revision to the Arkansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) including the 1997 8-hour ozone maintenance plan for Crittenden County, Arkansas that contains the new 2006 and 2021 motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for Crittenden County, Arkansas. The State of Tennessee has submitted a similar redesignation request and maintenance plan for the Tennessee portion of this 1997 8-hour ozone area. EPA has taken action on Tennessee's redesignation request, emissions inventory and maintenance plan through a separate rulemaking action (75 FR 56). On March 12, 2008, EPA issued a revised 8-hour ozone standard. EPA later announced on September 16, 2009, that it may reconsider this revised ozone standard. The current action, however, is being taken to address requirements under the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Requirements for the bi-state Memphis Area under the 2008 standard will be addressed in the future.