Determination of Nonattainment and Reclassification of the Baton Rouge 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area; State of Louisiana

EPA is finalizing its finding that the Baton Rouge "marginal" 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereinafter referred to as the Baton Rouge area) did not attain the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard) by June 15, 2007, the attainment deadline set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for "marginal" nonattainment areas. By operation of law, the Baton Rouge area is to be reclassified from a "marginal" to a "moderate" 8-hour ozone nonattainment area on the effective date of this rule. The new attainment deadline for the reclassified Baton Rouge nonattainment area is "as expeditiously as practicable" but no later than June 15, 2010. In addition, EPA is requiring Louisiana to submit State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions addressing the CAA's pollution control requirements for "moderate" 8- hour ozone nonattainment areas no later than January 1, 2009.