Clean Air Act Reclassification; CaliforniaSanta Barbara Nonattainment Area; Ozone

EPA is finding that the Santa Barbara nonattainment area has not attained the 1-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) by the applicable attainment date in the Clean Air Act (CAA) for moderate ozone nonattainment areas, which is November 15, 1996. The finding is based on EPA's review of monitored air quality data from 1994 through 1996 for compliance with the 1-hour ozone NAAQS. As a result of the finding, the Santa Barbara ozone nonattainment area will be reclassified by operation of law as a serious ozone nonattainment area on the effective date of this action. The effect of the reclassification will be to continue progress toward attainment of the 1-hour ozone NAAQS through the development of a new State implementation plan (SIP), due 12 months from the effective date of this action, addressing attainment of that standard by November 15, 1999.