On January 16, 1998, the EPA published a proposed rule (63 FR 2804) and a direct final rule (63 FR 2726) announcing EPA's decision to identify areas, designated under the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone, where the 1-hour NAAQS is no longer applicable because there has been no current measured violation of the 1-hour standard in such areas. The EPA is withdrawing the final rule due to adverse comments and will summarize and address all relevant public comments received in a subsequent final rule (based upon the proposed rule cited above).