Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of New Hampshire; Interim Final Determination That New Hampshire has Avoided the Deficiencies of its I/M SIP Revision

Elsewhere in today's Federal Register, EPA has published rulemaking actions proposing to determine that the one hour ozone standard no longer applies in New Hampshire and other nearby areas, and proposing approval of the State of New Hampshire's motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program, under Section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Additionally, EPA is proposing to lift the requirement that New Hampshire submit an enhanced I/M program consistent with specific Clean Air Act requirements for the Ozone Transport Region (OTR). Based on these proposed actions, EPA is making an interim final determination, by this action, that the State is more likely than not no longer subject to the requirements prompting the original disapproval of the New Hampshire enhanced I/M SIP revision. This action will defer the application of the offset sanction that is otherwise applicable beginning December 6, 1998, and defers the future application of the highway sanction. Although this action is effective upon publication, EPA will take comment on this interim final determination as well as EPA's action proposing approval of the State's submittal and a determination that the one-hour ozone standard no longer applies in New Hampshire and other nearby areas. EPA will publish a final notice taking into consideration any comments received on EPA's proposed actions and this interim final action.