The EPA is taking final action to extend the deferral of the effective date of the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) designation for the Denver Early Action Compact (EAC) from July 1, 2007 to September 14, 2007. The EAC areas have agreed to reduce ground-level ozone pollution earlier than the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires. On November 29, 2006, EPA extended the deferred effective date for the Denver EAC area from December 31, 2006, to July 1, 2007. In that final rulemaking, EPA noted that there were issues with Denver's EAC that would need to be addressed before EPA would extend their deferral until April 15, 2008. The action extending the deferral to July 2007 was challenged, and the parties are discussing settlement. EPA is now issuing a short further deferral to preserve the status quo as settlement discussion take place. EPA is issuing at this time a short further deferral of the effective date of Denver's designation for the 8-hour ozone standard from July 1, 2007 to September 14, 2007.