Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designations of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; Tennessee: Knoxville; Determination of Attaining Data for the 1997 Annual and 2006 24-Hour Fine Particulate Matter Standards

EPA is making two determinations, one regarding the Knoxville, Tennessee, 1997 annual fine particulate (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) nonattainment area and one regarding the Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette, Tennessee, 2006 24-hour PM<INF>2.5</INF> nonattainment area (both areas have the same geographic boundary and will hereafter be collectively referred to as the "Knoxville Area" or "Area"). First, EPA is determining that the Area has attained the 1997 annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or "standard"). Second, EPA is determining that the Area has attained the 2006 24-hour PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS. These determinations of attaining data are based upon quality-assured and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2009-2011 period, showing that the Area has monitored attainment of the 1997 annual PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS and 2006 24-hour PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS. The requirements for the Area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated reasonably available control measures (RACM), reasonable further progress (RFP) plans, contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions related to attainment of the standards shall be suspended so long as the Area continues to attain the respective PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS.