The EPA is taking action today to identify ozone areas where the 1-hour standard is no longer applicable. Therefore, the 40 CFR part 81 for ozone is being amended to reflect such changes. Today's regulation is being published in direct response to the President's memorandum of July 16, 1997. The President's memo directed EPA to publish within 90 days an action identifying ozone areas to which the 1-hour standard will cease to apply because they have not measured a current violation of the 1-hour standard. For all other areas, the 1- hour standard will continue to apply. Furthermore, this action is being done to assist in the phasing-out of the 1-hour standard since the recently promulgated new 8-hour standard is now in effect and is more protective of public health than the 1-hour ozone standard. The goal is to move toward implementation of the new 8-hour standard. Following today's action, the Agency intends to publish, in early 1998, a subsequent document which takes similar action to revoke the 1-hour standard in additional areas that have air quality that does not violate the 1-hour standard. Furthermore, the Agency will publish, on an annual basis, similar actions identifying areas where the 1-hour standard is no longer applicable.