Background information: The EPA revised the air quality standard for fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size (PM_2.5) in 2006. The reason for changing the standard was to better protect public health. EPA changed the standard from 65 micrograms per cubic meter to 35 micrograms per cubic meter.

     When EPA changes an air quality standard, states can make recommendations to EPA on whether areas in the state should be designated "attainment" (meeting the standard), "nonattainment" (not meeting the standard), or "unclassifiable" (there is not enough information to determine if the area meets the standard).

     Ecology's recommendations: After examining EPA's monitoring data, ecology proposes to make the following recommendations:

     Attainment:

•	Duwamish area of Seattle
•	Lake Forest Park
•	Marysville
•	Spokane

     Nonattainment:

•	*South Tacoma

     *The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) developed the proposed nonattainment area for Tacoma, which is within PSCAA's jurisdiction, on the basis of the nine factors in EPA guidance and with input from a variety of organizations. The proposed area is the entire area within the Pierce County comprehensive urban growth area (CUGA), except for:

▪	Areas to the south and southwest (including Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base), and
▪	The area to the east along and east of the Puyallup River-White River valleys (including Sumner, Auburn, Pacific, Bonney Lake, and Orting).

     *Unclassifiable:

•	Moose Lodge in Vancouver
•	S. 4th Avenue in Yakima

     *Unclassifiable areas had monitors that were discontinued but restarted in January 2007.

     Public hearing schedule: Ecology will hold a hearing to receive public comment on the draft PM_2.5 recommendations and the proposed nonattainment area boundary on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., at the Pierce County Library and Administrative Center (PAC Building), 3005 112th Street E., Tacoma, WA 98446.

     You can view more information about the recommendations at the following locations:

	Department of Ecology Air Quality Program 300 Desmond Drive Lacey, WA 98503
	Department of Ecology Central Regional Office 15 West Yakima Avenue Yakima, WA 98902-3401
	Department of Ecology Northwest Regional Office 3190 160th Avenue S.E. Bellevue, WA 98008-5452
	Department of Ecology Eastern Regional Office 4601 North Monroe Street Spokane, WA 99205-1295
	Department of Ecology Vancouver Field Office 2108 Grand Boulevard Vancouver, WA 98661-4622
	Southwest Clean Air Agency 11815 N.E. 99th Street, Suite 1294 Vancouver, WA 98682
	Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency 1101 West College Avenue, Suite 403 Spokane, WA 99201
	Pierce County Library 3005 112th Street East Tacoma, WA 98446-2215
	Yakima Library 102 North 3rd Street Yakima, WA 98901
	Puget Sound Clean Air Agency 1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 105 Seattle, WA 98101-2038
	Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority 6 South 2nd Street, Room 1016 Yakima, WA 98901
	Marysville Library 6120 Grove Street Marysville, WA 98270
	Vancouver Library 1007 East Mill Plain Boulevard Vancouver, WA 98663

     How to comment: You must provide your comments by 5:00 p.m. December 10, 2007. You can comment in person at the hearing, or mail, e-mail or fax your comments to Doug Schneider, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 4700, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, fax (360) 407-7534, e-mail dsch461@ecy.wa.gov.

     For more information: Contact Doug Schneider at the contact information provided above.

     If you need special accommodations, please call Tami Dahlgren of the air quality program at (360) 407-6800 by November 28. If you have a hearing loss, call 711 for Washington Relay Service. If you have a speech disability, call 877-833-6341.

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