[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66125-66126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27211]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Federal Land Managers' Air Quality Related Values Work Group
(FLAG)
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of final report.
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SUMMARY: On July 8, 2008 (FR39039), the National Park Service, in
cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture Forest Service, announced the availability
of, and solicited comments on, the draft FLAG Phase I Report--REVISED.
The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of the final
revised FLAG report, and the accompanying Response to Public Comments
document.
The Federal Land Managers' Air Quality Related Values Work Group
(FLAG) was formed (1) to develop a more consistent and objective
approach for the Federal Land Managers (FLMs), i.e., National Park
Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of
Agriculture Forest Service (the Agencies), to evaluate air pollution
effects on their air quality related values (AQRVs); and (2) to provide
State permitting authorities and potential permit applicants
consistency on how to assess the impacts of new and existing sources on
AQRVs. The FLAG effort focuses on the effects of the air pollutants
that could affect the health and status of resources in areas managed
by the three agencies, primarily such pollutants as ozone, particulate
matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrates, and sulfates. FLAG
formed subgroups that concentrated on four issues: (1) Terrestrial
effects of ozone; (2) aquatic and terrestrial effects of wet and dry
pollutant deposition; (3) visibility; and (4) process and policy
issues. In December 2000, after undergoing a public review and comment
process that included a 90-day public comment period announced in the
Federal Register and a public meeting, the FLMs published a final Phase
I report (FLAG 2000), along with an accompanying ``Response to Public
Comments'' document.
FLAG 2000 has been a useful tool to the FLMs, State permitting
authorities, and permit applicants. It was intended to be a working
document that would be revised as necessary as the FLMs learn more
about how to better assess the health and status of AQRVs. Based on
knowledge gained and regulatory developments since FLAG 2000, the FLMs
believe certain revisions to FLAG 2000 are now appropriate. The final
revised report reflects those changes.
During the 60-day public comment period on the draft report, the
Agencies received 22 comment letters from various constituencies (e.g.,
State air regulatory agencies, concerned citizens, environmental
groups, industry representatives, Tribal representatives). These
commenters raised specific concerns, and many supported the proposed
revisions in general and thought that the changes were warranted and
helpful. The Agencies considered all comments received and revised the
draft FLAG report accordingly. The Agencies also prepared an
accompanying ``Response to Public Comments'' document that discusses
the public comments and provides the Agencies' rationale for accepting
or rejecting the comment. The Agencies did not make any major technical
or policy changes from the draft revised report. However, we made some
editorial changes and inserted clarifying language as a result of
comments received, and reformatted the report to make it more reader
friendly.
[[Page 66126]]
ADDRESSES: A copy of the final FLAG Phase I Report--REVISED and the
accompanying Response to Public Comments document can be downloaded
from the Internet at: http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/permits/flag/index.cfm.
A copy can also be obtained from John Bunyak, Air Resources
Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado
80225; e-mail: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Bunyak at the above address or by
calling (303) 969-2818.
Dated: September 8, 2010.
Thomas L. Strickland,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the
Interior.
[FR Doc. 2010-27211 Filed 10-26-10; 8:45 am]
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