Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Ohio and Indiana; Redesignation of the Ohio and Indiana Portions Cincinnati-Hamilton Area to Attainment of the 1997 Annual Standard for Fine Particulate Matter

Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, EPA is withdrawing the October 19, 2011 (76 FR 64825), direct final rule approving Ohio's and Indiana's requests to redesignate their respective portions of the Cincinnati-Hamilton nonattainment area (for Ohio: Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties, Ohio; for Indiana: a portion of Dearborn County) to attainment for the 1997 annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) for fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>). In the direct final rule, EPA stated that if adverse comments were received by November 18, 2011, the rule would be withdrawn and not take effect. On October 19, 2011, EPA received a comment. EPA interprets this comment as adverse and, therefore, EPA is withdrawing the direct final rule. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on October 19, 2011 (76 FR 64880). EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.