Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Minnesota

This action approves a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision for the State of Minnesota which was submitted pursuant to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) general conformity rules set forth at 40 CFR part 51, subpart W--Determining Conformity of General Federal Actions to State or Federal Implementation Plans. Section 51.851(a) of the general conformity rules requires each State to submit to EPA a revision to its applicable SIP which contains criteria and procedures for assessing conformity of Federal actions to applicable SIPs. The general conformity rules, except for the 40 CFR 51.851(a) language requiring State submission of a SIP revision, are repeated at 40 CFR part 93, subpart B. Minnesota's SIP revision incorporates verbatim the criteria and procedures set forth at 40 CFR part 51, subpart W. This general conformity SIP revision will enable the State of Minnesota to implement and enforce the Federal general conformity requirements in the nonattainment and maintenance areas at the State and local level conformity SIP revision submitted pursuant to 40 CFR part 51, subpart W. SIP revisions submitted under 40 CFR part 51, subpart T, relating to conformity of Federal transportation actions funded or approved under Title 23 U.S.C. or the Federal Transit Act, will be addressed in a separate notice. This action provides the rationale for the proposed approval and other information.