Rule2023-16409
Air Plan Approval; WA; Smoke Management Plan Update
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 10, 2023
Effective
September 11, 2023
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted on August 10, 2022. The submitted revisions incorporate the most recent updates to Washington's Smoke Management Plan and reflect state legislative and regulatory changes. The EPA is approving the revisions based on our determination that the revisions are consistent with Clean Air Act requirements.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 153 (Thursday, August 10, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 153 (Thursday, August 10, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54240-54244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16409]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA-R10-OAR-2022-0731, FRL-10545-02-R10]
Air Plan Approval; WA; Smoke Management Plan Update
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving
Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted on
August 10, 2022. The submitted revisions incorporate the most recent
updates to Washington's Smoke Management Plan and reflect state
legislative and regulatory changes. The EPA is approving the revisions
based on our determination that the revisions are consistent with Clean
Air Act requirements.
DATES: This final rule is effective September 11, 2023.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-R10-OAR-2022-0731. All documents in the docket are
listed on the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> website. Although listed in
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g.,
Confidential Business Information or other information the disclosure
of which is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket
materials are available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, or please
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section for additional availability information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randall Ruddick, EPA Region 10, 1200
Sixth Avenue (Suite 155), Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 553-1999,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#acded9c8c8c5cfc782decdc2c8cdc0c0ecc9dccd82cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="04767160606d676f2a76656a60656868446174652a636b72">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document wherever ``we'' or
``our'' is used, it means the EPA.
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Final Action
III. Incorporation by Reference
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. Background
On March 23, 2023, the EPA proposed to approve Washington's August
10, 2022, SIP submission revising the Washington Smoke Management Plan
(88 FR 17481). The reasons for our proposed approval are included in
the proposal and will not be restated here. The public comment period
closed on April 24, 2023. We received one anonymous comment in support
of our proposed action; therefore, we are finalizing our action as
proposed.
II. Final Action
The EPA is approving and incorporating by reference, where
appropriate, Washington's 2022 submitted revisions into the Washington
SIP 40 CFR part 52, subpart WW as discussed in our March 23, 2023,
proposed approval (88 FR 17481). Once this approval becomes effective,
the Washington SIP will include the following statutes and regulations:
<bullet> RCW 52.12.103, Burning Permits--Issuance--Contents (state
effective March 27, 1984);
<bullet> RCW 52.12.104, Burning Permits--Duties of permittee (state
effective March 27, 1984);
<bullet> RCW 76.04.005, Definitions. (1) ``Additional fire hazard''
(5) ``Department protected lands'' (9) ``Forest debris'' (11)
``Forestland'' (12) ``Forestland owner,'' ``owner of forestland,''
``landowner,'' or ``owner'' (13) ``Forest material'' (15) ``Landowner
operation'' (18) ``Participating landowner'' (20) ``Slash'' (21)
``Slash burning'' (23) ``Unimproved lands'' (state effective July 24,
2015);
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<bullet> RCW 76.04.205, Burning Permits--Civil Penalty (state
effective July 25, 2021);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.1030, Definitions. (21) ``Silvicultural
burning'' (state effective June 11, 2020);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.5000, Definition of ``outdoor burning'' (state
effective July 26, 2020);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.5010, (2) Outdoor burning--Fires prohibited--
Exceptions (state effective June 11, 2020);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.5020, Outdoor burning--Areas where prohibited--
Exceptions--Use for management of storm or flood-related debris--
Silvicultural burning, except (3) (state effective June 11, 2020);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.5120, Burning permits for abating or prevention
of forest fire hazards, management of ecosystems, instruction on
silvicultural operations--Issuance--Fees (state effective June 11,
2020);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.5130, Silvicultural forest burning--Reduce
statewide emissions--Exemption--Monitoring program (state effective
July 28, 2019);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.5140, Burning permits for abating or prevention
of forest fire hazards, management of ecosystems, instruction on
silvicultural operations--Conditions for issuance and use of permits--
Air quality standards to be met--Alternate methods to lessen forest
debris (state effective June 11, 2020);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.5150, Cooperation between department of natural
resources and state, local, or regional air pollution authorities--
Withholding of permits (state effective June 11, 2020);
<bullet> RCW 70A.15.5190, Outdoor burning allowed for managing
storm or flood related debris (state effective June 11, 2020);
<bullet> WAC 332-24-201, Burning Permit Program--Requirements and
Exceptions (state effective June 30, 1992);
<bullet> WAC 332-24-205, General rules--minimum requirements for
all burning, except (13) (state effective November 22, 2019);
<bullet> WAC 332-24-211, Specific rules for small fires not
requiring a written burning permit (solely for the purpose of
establishing the size threshold for burns covered by the Smoke
Management Plan) (state effective June 30, 1992);
<bullet> WAC 332-24-217, Burning permit--penalty (state effective
June 30, 1992);
<bullet> WAC 332-24-221, Specific rules for burning that requires a
written burning permit (state effective February 1, 2012).
In addition, the EPA is proposing to approve, but not incorporate
by reference, into the Washington SIP at 40 CFR part 52, subpart WW the
Department of Natural Resources Smoke Management Plan, state effective
May 10, 2022 (including all Appendices to such plan), as such plan
applies to silvicultural burning regulated by DNR.
We note that, as provided in 40 CFR 52.2476 of the Washington SIP,
any variance or exception to the 2022 SMP granted by DNR or Ecology
must be submitted by Washington for approval to EPA in accordance with
the requirements for revising SIPs in 40 CFR 51.104 and any such
variance or exception does not modify the requirements of the federally
approved Washington SIP until approved by EPA as a SIP revision.
III. Incorporation by Reference
In this document, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that
includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of
1 CFR 51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of
regulatory provisions described in section II of this preamble and set
forth in the amendments to 40 CFR part 52 in this document. The EPA has
made, and will continue to make, these materials reasonably available
through <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and at the EPA Region 10 Office
(please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this preamble for more information). Therefore,
these materials have been approved by the EPA for inclusion in the SIP,
have been incorporated by reference by the EPA into that plan, are
fully federally enforceable under sections 110 and 113 of the Clean Air
Act as of the effective date of the final rule of the EPA's approval,
and will be incorporated by reference in the next update to the SIP
compilation.\1\
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\1\ 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
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IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a
SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Clean Air Act
and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act.
Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting Federal
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
<bullet> Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21,
2011);
<bullet> Does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
<bullet> Is certified as not having a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
<bullet> Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
<bullet> Does not have federalism implications as specified in
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
<bullet> Is not an economically significant regulatory action based
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997);
<bullet> Is not a significant regulatory action subject to
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); and
<bullet> Is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent
with the Clean Air Act.
Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies to identify and address
``disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects'' of their actions on minority populations and low-income
populations to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.
The EPA defines environmental justice (EJ) as ``the fair treatment and
meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, or income with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and
policies.'' The EPA further defines the term fair treatment to mean
that ``no group of people should bear a disproportionate burden of
environmental harms and risks, including those resulting from the
negative environmental consequences of industrial, governmental, and
commercial operations or programs and policies.''
The air agency did not evaluate environmental justice
considerations as part of its SIP submittal; the Clean Air Act and
applicable implementing regulations neither prohibit nor require such
an evaluation. The EPA did not perform an EJ analysis and did not
consider EJ in this action. Due to the
[[Page 54242]]
nature of this action, it is expected to have a neutral to positive
impact on the air quality of the affected area. Consideration of EJ is
not required as part of this action, and there is no information in the
record inconsistent with the stated goal of Executive Order 12898 of
achieving environmental justice for people of color, low-income
populations, and Indigenous peoples.
In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian
reservation land in Washington except as specifically noted below and
is also not approved to apply in any other area where the EPA or an
Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those
areas of Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor
will it impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or
preempt tribal law. Washington's SIP is approved to apply on non-trust
land within the exterior boundaries of the Puyallup Indian Reservation,
also known as the 1873 Survey Area. Under the Puyallup Tribe of Indians
Settlement Act of 1989, 25 U.S.C. 1773, Congress explicitly provided
state and local agencies in Washington authority over activities on
non-trust lands within the 1873 Survey Area. Consistent with EPA
policy, the EPA provided a consultation opportunity to potentially
affected tribes in a letter dated May 24, 2022.
This action is subject to the Congressional Review Act, and the EPA
will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the
Comptroller General of the United States. This action is not a ``major
rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by October 10, 2023. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule
does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of
judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for
judicial review may be filed and shall not postpone the effectiveness
of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in
proceedings to enforce its requirements. See section 307(b)(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone,
Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur
oxides, Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: July 12, 2023.
Casey Sixkiller,
Regional Administrator, Region 10.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 40 CFR part 52 is
amended as follows:
PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart WW--Washington
0
2. Amend Sec. 52.2470 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (c), table 1, by adding:
0
i. The heading ``Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 332-24--Forest
Protection'' and the entries ``332-24-201'', ``332-24-205'', ``332-24-
211'', ``332-24-217'', and ``332-24-221'' immediately after the entry
``173-492-100'';
0
ii. The heading ``Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 52.12--Fire
Protection Districts, Powers--Burning Permits'' and the entries
``52.12.103'' and ``52.12.104'' immediately after newly added entry
``332-24-221'';
0
iii. The heading ``Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 70A.15--
Washington Clean Air Act'' and the entries ``70A.15.1030(21)'',
``70A.15.5000'', ``70A.15.5010(2)'', ``70A.15.5020'', ``70A.15.5120'',
``70A.15.5130'', ``70A.15.5140'', ``70A.15.5150'', ``70A.15.5190''
immediately after newly added entry ``52.12.104''; and
0
iv. The heading ``Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 76.04--Washington
Clean Air Act'' and the entries ``76.04.005'' and ``76.04.205''
immediately after newly added entry ``70A.15.5190''; and
0
b. In paragraph (e), table 2, by adding the heading ``Smoke Management
Planning'' and the entry ``Department of Natural Resources 2022 Smoke
Management Plan'' immediately after the entry for ``Regional Haze
Progress Report''.
The additions read as follows:
Sec. 52.2470 Identification of plan.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
Table 1--Regulations Approved Statewide
[Not applicable in Indian reservations (excluding non-trust land within the exterior boundaries of the Puyallup
Indian Reservation) and any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has
jurisdiction.]
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State
State citation Title/subject effective EPA approval date Explanations
date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
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Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 332-24--Forest Protection
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332-24-201................. Burning Permit 6/30/92 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
Program--Requirements Federal Register
and Exceptions. CITATION].
332-24-205................. General rules--Minimum 11/22/19 8/10/2023, [INSERT Except section (13).
Requirements for All Federal Register
Burning. CITATION].
332-24-211................. Specific rules for 7/31/92 8/10/2023, [INSERT Included for the
small fires not Federal Register purpose of setting
requiring a written CITATION]. the size limit for
burning permit. burns covered by the
Department of Natural
Resources 2022 Smoke
Management Plan in
paragraph (e), Table
2.
332-24-217................. Burning permit 7/31/92 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
requirements--Penalty. Federal Register
CITATION].
[[Page 54243]]
332-24-221................. Specific Rules for 2/1/12 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
Burning That Requires Federal Register
a Written Burning CITATION].
Permit.
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Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 52.12--Fire Protection Districts, Powers--Burning Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52.12.103.................. Burning permits-- 3/27/84 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
Issuance--Contents.. Federal Register
CITATION].
52.12.104.................. Burning permits-- 3/27/84 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
Duties of permittee. Federal Register
CITATION].
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Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 70A.15--Washington Clean Air Act
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70A.15.1030(21)............ Definitions. 6/11/20 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
``Silvicultural Federal Register
burning''. CITATION].
70A.15.5000................ Definition of 7/26/20 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
``outdoor burning''. Federal Register
CITATION].
70A.15.5010 (2)............ Outdoor burning--Fires 6/11/20 8/10/2023, [INSERT Except (1).
prohibited--Exception Federal Register
s. CITATION].
70A.15.5020................ Outdoor burning--Areas 6/11/20 8/10/2023, [INSERT Except (3).
where prohibited-- Federal Register
Exceptions--Use for CITATION].
management of storm
or flood-related
debris--Silvicultural
burning.
70A.15.5120................ Burning permits for 6/11/20 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
abating or prevention Federal Register
of forest fire CITATION].
hazards, management
of ecosystems,
instruction or
silvicultural
operations--issuance-
-Fees.
70A.15.5130................ Silvicultural forest 7/28/19 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
burning--Reduce Federal Register
statewide emissions CITATION].
Exemption--Monitoring
program.
70A.15.5140................ Burning permits for 6/11/20 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
abating or prevention Federal Register
of forest fire CITATION].
hazards, management
of ecosystems,
instruction or
silvicultural
operations--Condition
s for issuance and
use of permits--Air
quality standards to
be met--Alternate
methods to lessen
forest debris.
70A.15.5150................ Cooperation between 6/11/20 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
department of natural Federal Register
resources and state, CITATION].
local, or regional
air pollution
authorities--Withhold
ing of permits.
70A.15.5190................ Outdoor burning 6/11/20 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
allowed for managing Federal Register
storm or flood- CITATION].
related debris.
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Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 76.04--Washington Clean Air Act
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76.04.005.................. Definitions........... 7/24/15 8/10/2023, [INSERT Except (2), (3), (4),
Federal Register (6), (7), (8), (10),
CITATION]. (14), (16), (17),
(19), (22)
76.04.205.................. Burning Permits--Civil 7/25/21 8/10/2023, [INSERT ......................
Penalty. Federal Register
CITATION].
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* * * * *
(e) * * *
[[Page 54244]]
Table 2--Attainment, Maintenance, and Other Plans
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State
Name of SIP provision Applicable geographic or submittal EPA approval date Explanations
nonattainment area date
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* * * * * * *
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Smoke Management Planning
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Department of Natural Resources Statewide................ 8/10/22 8/10/2023, [INSERT ..............
2022 Smoke Management Plan. Federal Register
CITATION]..
* * * * * * *
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[FR Doc. 2023-16409 Filed 8-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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