Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Region 4 States; Visibility Protection Infrastructure Requirements for the 1997 and 2006 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve submissions from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee for inclusion into each state's respective state implementation plan (SIP). This action pertains to Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements regarding the protection of visibility in another state for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA. These plans are commonly referred to as "infrastructure" SIPs. Specifically, EPA is taking final action to approve the submissions for Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee as they relate to the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM<INF>2.5</INF> NAAQS infrastructure SIP requirements to protect visibility in other states. All other applicable infrastructure requirements for these NAAQS associated with these seven states have been addressed in separate rulemakings.