---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 7407"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "7407"
heading: "Air quality control regions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/7407"
units:
  - "Chapter 85 — Air Pollution Prevention and Control"
  - "Subchapter I — Programs and Activities"
  - "Part A — Air Quality and Emission Limitations"
---

# §7407. Air quality control regions

- (a) **Responsibility of each State for air quality; submission of implementation plan—** Each [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) shall have the primary responsibility for assuring air quality within the entire geographic area comprising such [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) by submitting an implementation plan for such [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) which will specify the manner in which national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards will be achieved and maintained within each air quality control region in such [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d).
- (b) **Designated regions—** For purposes of developing and carrying out implementation plans under [section 7410 of this title](/usc/42/7410.md)—
  - (1) an air quality control region designated under this section before December 31, 1970, or a region designated after such date under [subsection (c)](#c), shall be an air quality control region; and
  - (2) the portion of such [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) which is not part of any such designated region shall be an air quality control region, but such portion may be subdivided by the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) into two or more air quality control regions with the approval of the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a).
- (c) **Authority of Administrator to designate regions; notification of Governors of affected States—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall, within 90 days after December 31, 1970, after consultation with appropriate [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) and local authorities, designate as an air quality control region any interstate area or major intrastate area which he deems necessary or appropriate for the attainment and maintenance of ambient air quality standards. The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall immediately notify the Governors of the affected [States](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) of any designation made under this subsection.
- (d) **Designations—**
  - (1) **Designations generally—**
    - (A) **Submission by Governors of initial designations following promulgation of new or revised standards—** By such date as the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may reasonably require, but not later than 1 year after promulgation of a new or revised national ambient air quality standard for any pollutant under [section 7409 of this title](/usc/42/7409.md), the Governor of each [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) shall (and at any other time the Governor of a [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) deems appropriate the Governor may) submit to the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) a list of all areas (or portions thereof) in the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d), designating as—
      - (i) nonattainment, any area that does not meet (or that contributes to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standard for the pollutant,
      - (ii) attainment, any area (other than an area identified in [clause (i)](#d-1-A-i)) that meets the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standard for the pollutant, or
      - (iii) unclassifiable, any area that cannot be classified on the basis of available information as meeting or not meeting the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standard for the pollutant.

      The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may not require the Governor to submit the required list sooner than 120 days after promulgating a new or revised national ambient air quality standard.

    - (B) **Promulgation by EPA of designations—**
      - (i) Upon promulgation or revision of a national ambient air quality standard, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall promulgate the designations of all areas (or portions thereof) submitted under [subparagraph (A)](#d-1-A) as expeditiously as practicable, but in no case later than 2 years from the date of promulgation of the new or revised national ambient air quality standard. Such period may be extended for up to one year in the event the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) has insufficient information to promulgate the designations.
      - (ii) In making the promulgations required under [clause (i)](#d-1-B-i), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may make such [modifications](/usc/42/7501.md?p=4) as the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) deems necessary to the designations of the areas (or portions thereof) submitted under [subparagraph (A)](#d-1-A) (including to the boundaries of such areas or portions thereof). Whenever the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) intends to make a [modification](/usc/42/7501.md?p=4), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall notify the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) and provide such [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) with an opportunity to demonstrate why any proposed [modification](/usc/42/7501.md?p=4) is inappropriate. The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall give such notification no later than 120 days before the date the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) promulgates the designation, including any [modification](/usc/42/7501.md?p=4) thereto. If the Governor fails to submit the list in whole or in part, as required under [subparagraph (A)](#d-1-A), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall promulgate the designation that the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) deems appropriate for any area (or portion thereof) not designated by the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d).
      - (iii) If the Governor of any [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d), on the Governor’s own motion, under [subparagraph (A)](#d-1-A), submits a list of areas (or portions thereof) in the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) designated as nonattainment, attainment, or unclassifiable, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall act on such designations in accordance with the procedures under [paragraph (3)](#d-3) (relating to redesignation).
      - (iv) A designation for an area (or portion thereof) made pursuant to this subsection shall remain in effect until the area (or portion thereof) is redesignated pursuant to paragraph [(3)](#d-3) or [(4)](#d-4).
    - (C) **Designations by operation of law—**
      - (i) Any area designated with respect to any [air pollutant](/usc/42/7602.md?p=g) under the provisions of paragraph (1)(A), (B), or (C) of this subsection (as in effect immediately before November 15, 1990) is designated, by operation of law, as a [nonattainment area](/usc/42/7501.md?p=2) for such pollutant within the meaning of [subparagraph (A)(i)](#d-1-A-i).
      - (ii) Any area designated with respect to any [air pollutant](/usc/42/7602.md?p=g) under the provisions of paragraph (1)(E) (as in effect immediately before November 15, 1990) is designated by operation of law, as an attainment area for such pollutant within the meaning of [subparagraph (A)(ii)](#d-1-A-ii).
      - (iii) Any area designated with respect to any [air pollutant](/usc/42/7602.md?p=g) under the provisions of paragraph (1)(D) (as in effect immediately before November 15, 1990) is designated, by operation of law, as an unclassifiable area for such pollutant within the meaning of [subparagraph (A)(iii)](#d-1-A-iii).
  - (2) **Publication of designations and redesignations—**
    - (A) The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall publish a notice in the Federal Register promulgating any designation under paragraph [(1)](#d-1) or [(5)](#d-5), or announcing any designation under [paragraph (4)](#d-4), or promulgating any redesignation under [paragraph (3)](#d-3).
    - (B) Promulgation or announcement of a designation under paragraph [(1)](#d-1), [(4)](#d-4) or [(5)](#d-5) shall not be subject to the provisions of sections [553](/usc/5/553.md) through [557](/usc/5/557.md) of title 5 (relating to notice and comment), except nothing herein shall be construed as precluding such public notice and comment whenever possible.
  - (3) **Redesignation—**
    - (A) Subject to the requirements of [subparagraph (E)](#d-3-E), and on the basis of air quality data, planning and control considerations, or any other air quality-related considerations the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) deems appropriate, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may at any time notify the Governor of any [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) that available information indicates that the designation of any area or portion of an area within the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) or interstate area should be revised. In issuing such notification, which shall be public, to the Governor, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall provide such information as the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may have available explaining the basis for the notice.
    - (B) No later than 120 days after receiving a notification under [subparagraph (A)](#d-3-A), the Governor shall submit to the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) such redesignation, if any, of the appropriate area (or areas) or portion thereof within the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) or interstate area, as the Governor considers appropriate.
    - (C) No later than 120 days after the date described in [subparagraph (B)](#d-3-B) (or [paragraph (1)(B)(iii)](#d-1-B-iii)), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall promulgate the redesignation, if any, of the area or portion thereof, submitted by the Governor in accordance with [subparagraph (B)](#d-3-B), making such [modifications](/usc/42/7501.md?p=4) as the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may deem necessary, in the same manner and under the same procedure as is applicable under [clause (ii)](#d-1-B-ii) of paragraph (1)(B), except that the phrase “60 days” shall be substituted for the phrase “120 days” in that clause. If the Governor does not submit, in accordance with [subparagraph (B)](#d-3-B), a redesignation for an area (or portion thereof) identified by the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) under [subparagraph (A)](#d-3-A), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall promulgate such redesignation, if any, that the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) deems appropriate.
    - (D) The Governor of any [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) may, on the Governor’s own motion, submit to the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) a revised designation of any area or portion thereof within the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d). Within 18 months of receipt of a complete [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) redesignation submittal, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall approve or deny such redesignation. The submission of a redesignation by a Governor shall not affect the effectiveness or enforceability of the [applicable implementation plan](/usc/42/7602.md?p=q) for the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d).
    - (E) The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may not promulgate a redesignation of a [nonattainment area](/usc/42/7501.md?p=2) (or portion thereof) to attainment unless—
      - (i) the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) determines that the area has attained the national ambient air quality standard;
      - (ii) the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) has fully approved the [applicable implementation plan](/usc/42/7602.md?p=q) for the area under [section 7410(k) of this title](/usc/42/7410.md?p=k);
      - (iii) the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) determines that the improvement in air quality is due to permanent and enforceable reductions in emissions resulting from implementation of the [applicable implementation plan](/usc/42/7602.md?p=q) and applicable Federal [air pollutant](/usc/42/7602.md?p=g) control regulations and other permanent and enforceable reductions;
      - (iv) the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) has fully approved a maintenance plan for the area as meeting the requirements of [section 7505a of this title](/usc/42/7505a.md); and
      - (v) the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) containing such area has met all requirements applicable to the area under [section 7410 of this title](/usc/42/7410.md) and part D.
    - (F) The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall not promulgate any redesignation of any area (or portion thereof) from nonattainment to unclassifiable.
  - (4) **Nonattainment designations for ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (PM–10)—**
    - (A) **Ozone and carbon monoxide—**
      - (i) Within 120 days after November 15, 1990, each Governor of each [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) shall submit to the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) a list that designates, affirms or reaffirms the designation of, or redesignates (as the case may be), all areas (or portions thereof) of the Governor’s [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) as attainment, nonattainment, or unclassifiable with respect to the national ambient air quality standards for ozone and carbon monoxide.
      - (ii) No later than 120 days after the date the Governor is required to submit the list of areas (or portions thereof) required under clause (i) of this subparagraph, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall promulgate such designations, making such [modifications](/usc/42/7501.md?p=4) as the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may deem necessary, in the same manner, and under the same procedure, as is applicable under [clause (ii)](#d-1-B-ii) of paragraph (1)(B), except that the phrase “60 days” shall be substituted for the phrase “120 days” in that clause. If the Governor does not submit, in accordance with clause (i) of this subparagraph, a designation for an area (or portion thereof), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall promulgate the designation that the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) deems appropriate.
      - (iii) No [nonattainment area](/usc/42/7501.md?p=2) may be redesignated as an attainment area under this subparagraph.
      - (iv) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(C)(ii) of this subsection, if an ozone or carbon monoxide [nonattainment area](/usc/42/7501.md?p=2) located within a metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan statistical area (as established by the Bureau of the Census) is classified under part D of this subchapter as a Serious, Severe, or Extreme Area, the boundaries of such area are hereby revised (on the date 45 days after such classification) by operation of law to include the entire metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan statistical area, as the case may be, unless within such 45-day period the Governor (in consultation with [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) and local [air pollution control agencies](/usc/42/7602.md?p=b)) notifies the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) that additional time is necessary to evaluate the application of [clause (v)](#d-4-A-v). Whenever a Governor has submitted such a notice to the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), such boundary revision shall occur on the later of the date 8 months after such classification or 14 months after November 15, 1990, unless the Governor makes the finding referred to in [clause (v)](#d-4-A-v), and the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) concurs in such finding, within such period. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a boundary revision under this clause or [clause (v)](#d-4-A-v) shall apply for purposes of any [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) implementation plan revision required to be submitted after November 15, 1990.
      - (v) Whenever the Governor of a [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) has submitted a notice under [clause (iv)](#d-4-A-iv), the Governor, in consultation with [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) and local [air pollution control agencies](/usc/42/7602.md?p=b), shall undertake a study to evaluate whether the entire metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan statistical area should be included within the [nonattainment area](/usc/42/7501.md?p=2). Whenever a Governor finds and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), and the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) concurs in such finding, that with respect to a portion of a metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan statistical area, sources in the portion do not contribute significantly to [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of the national ambient air quality standard, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall approve the Governor’s request to exclude such portion from the [nonattainment area](/usc/42/7501.md?p=2). In making such finding, the Governor and the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall consider factors such as population density, traffic congestion, commercial development, industrial development, meteorological conditions, and pollution transport.
    - (B) **PM–10 designations—** By operation of law, until redesignation by the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) pursuant to [paragraph (3)](#d-3)—
      - (i) each area identified in 52 Federal Register 29383 (Aug. 7, 1987) as a Group I area (except to the extent that such identification was [modified](/usc/42/7501.md?p=4) by the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) before November 15, 1990) is designated nonattainment for [PM–10](/usc/42/7602.md?p=t);
      - (ii) any area containing a site for which air quality monitoring data show a [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of the national ambient air quality standard for [PM–10](/usc/42/7602.md?p=t) before January 1, 1989 (as determined under part 50, appendix K of [title 40](/usc/40.md) of the Code of Federal Regulations) is hereby designated nonattainment for [PM–10](/usc/42/7602.md?p=t); and
      - (iii) each area not described in clause [(i)](#d-4-B-i) or [(ii)](#d-4-B-ii) is hereby designated unclassifiable for [PM–10](/usc/42/7602.md?p=t).

      Any designation for particulate matter (measured in terms of total suspended particulates) that the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) promulgated pursuant to this subsection (as in effect immediately before November 15, 1990) shall remain in effect for purposes of implementing the maximum allowable increases in concentrations of particulate matter (measured in terms of total suspended particulates) pursuant to [section 7473(b) of this title](/usc/42/7473.md?p=b), until the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) determines that such designation is no longer necessary for that purpose.

  - (5) **Designations for lead—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may, in the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a)’s discretion at any time the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) deems appropriate, require a [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) to designate areas (or portions thereof) with respect to the national ambient air quality standard for lead in effect as of November 15, 1990, in accordance with the procedures under subparagraphs [(A)](#d-1-A) and [(B)](#d-1-B) of paragraph (1), except that in applying [subparagraph (B)(i)](#d-1-B-i) of paragraph (1) the phrase “2 years from the date of promulgation of the new or revised national ambient air quality standard” shall be replaced by the phrase “1 year from the date the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) notifies the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) of the requirement to designate areas with respect to the standard for lead”.
  - (6) **Designations—**
    - (A) **Submission—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than February 15, 2004, the Governor of each [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) shall submit designations referred to in [paragraph (1)](#d-1) for the July 1997 PM<sub>2.5</sub> national ambient air quality standards for each area within the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d), based on air quality monitoring data collected in accordance with any applicable Federal reference methods for the relevant areas.
    - (B) **Promulgation—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than December 31, 2004, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall, consistent with [paragraph (1)](#d-1), promulgate the designations referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#d-6-A) for each area of each [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) for the July 1997 PM<sub>2.5</sub> national ambient air quality standards.
  - (7) **Implementation plan for regional haze—**
    - (A) **In general—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 3 years after the date on which the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) promulgates the designations referred to in [paragraph (6)(B)](#d-6-B) for a [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d), the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) shall submit, for the entire [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d), the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) implementation plan revisions to meet the requirements promulgated by the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) under [section 7492(e)(1) of this title](/usc/42/7492.md?p=e-1) (referred to in this paragraph as “regional haze requirements”).
    - (B) **No preclusion of other provisions—** Nothing in this paragraph precludes the implementation of the agreements and recommendations stemming from the Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission Report dated June 1996, including the submission of [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) implementation plan revisions by the [States](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, or Wyoming by December 31, 2003, for implementation of regional haze requirements applicable to those [States](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d).
- (e) **Redesignation of air quality control regions—**
  - (1) Except as otherwise provided in [paragraph (2)](#e-2), the Governor of each [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) is authorized, with the approval of the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), to redesignate from time to time the air quality control regions within such [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) for purposes of efficient and effective air quality management. Upon such redesignation, the list under [subsection (d)](#d) shall be [modified](/usc/42/7501.md?p=4) accordingly.
  - (2) In the case of an air quality control region in a [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d), or part of such region, which the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) finds may significantly affect air pollution concentrations in another [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d), the Governor of the [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) in which such region, or part of a region, is located may redesignate from time to time the boundaries of so much of such air quality control region as is located within such [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) only with the approval of the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) and with the consent of all Governors of all [States](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) which the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) determines may be significantly affected.
  - (3) No compliance date extension granted under [section 7413(d)(5)](/usc/42/7413.md?p=d-5)[^1] of this title (relating to coal conversion) shall cease to be effective by reason of the regional limitation provided in [section 7413(d)(5)](/usc/42/7413.md?p=d-5)[^1] of this title if the [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of such limitation is due solely to a redesignation of a region under this subsection.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(July 14, 1955, ch. 360, title I, § 107, as added Pub. L. 91–604, § 4(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1678; amended Pub. L. 95–95, title I, § 103, Aug. 7, 1977, 91 Stat. 687; Pub. L. 101–549, title I, § 101(a), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2399; Pub. L. 108–199, div. G, title IV, § 425(a), Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 417.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 7413 of this title, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), was amended generally by Pub. L. 101–549, title VII, § 701, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2672, and, as so amended, subsec. (d) of section 7413 no longer relates to final compliance orders.

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 1857c–2 of this title.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 107 of act July 14, 1955, as added Nov. 21, 1967, Pub. L. 90–148, § 2, 81 Stat. 490, related to air quality control regions and was classified to section 1857c–2 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–604.

Another prior section 107 of act July 14, 1955, as added Dec. 17, 1963, Pub. L. 88–206, § 1, 77 Stat. 399, was renumbered section 111 by Pub. L. 90–148 and is classified to section 7411 of this title.

### Amendments

2004—Subsec. (d)(6), (7). Pub. L. 108–199 added pars. (6) and (7).

1990—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–549 amended subsec. (d) generally, substituting present provisions for provisions which required States to submit lists of regions not in compliance on Aug. 7, 1977, with certain air quality standards to be submitted to the Administrator, and which authorized States to revise and resubmit such lists from time to time.

1977—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 95–95 added subsecs. (d) and (e).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–95 effective Aug. 7, 1977, except as otherwise expressly provided, see section 406(d) of Pub. L. 95–95, set out as a note under section 7401 of this title.

### Ozone and Particulate Matter Standards

Pub. L. 108–199, div. G, title IV, § 425(b), Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 417, provided that: “Except as provided in paragraphs (6) and (7) of section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act [subsec. (d)(6), (7) of this section] (as added by subsection (a)), section 6101, subsections (a) and (b) of section 6102, and section 6103 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century [Pub. L. 105–178] (42 U.S.C. 7407 note; 112 Stat. 463), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 23, 2004], shall remain in effect.”

Pub. L. 105–178, title VI, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 463, as amended by Pub. L. 109–59, title VI, § 6012(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1882, provided that: FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. The Congress finds that— there is a lack of air quality monitoring data for fine particle levels, measured as PM2.5, in the United States and the States should receive full funding for the monitoring efforts; such data would provide a basis for designating areas as attainment or nonattainment for any PM2.5 national ambient air quality standards pursuant to the standards promulgated in July 1997; the President of the United States directed the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this title as the ‘Administrator’) in a memorandum dated July 16, 1997, to complete the next periodic review of the particulate matter national ambient air quality standards by July 2002 in order to determine ‘whether to revise or maintain the standards’; the Administrator has stated that 3 years of air quality monitoring data for fine particle levels, measured as PM2.5 and performed in accordance with any applicable Federal reference methods, is appropriate for designating areas as attainment or nonattainment pursuant to the July 1997 promulgated standards; and the Administrator has acknowledged that in drawing boundaries for attainment and nonattainment areas for the July 1997 ozone national air quality standards, Governors would benefit from considering implementation guidance from EPA on drawing area boundaries. The purposes of this title are— to ensure that 3 years of air quality monitoring data regarding fine particle levels are gathered for use in the determination of area attainment or nonattainment designations respecting any PM2.5 national ambient air quality standards; to ensure that the Governors have adequate time to consider implementation guidance from EPA on drawing area boundaries prior to submitting area designations respecting the July 1997 ozone national ambient air quality standards; to ensure that the schedule for implementation of the July 1997 revisions of the ambient air quality standards for particulate matter and the schedule for the Environmental Protection Agency’s visibility regulations related to regional haze are consistent with the timetable for implementation of such particulate matter standards as set forth in the President’s Implementation Memorandum dated July 16, 1997. PARTICULATE MATTER MONITORING PROGRAM. Through grants under section 103 of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7403] the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall use appropriated funds no later than fiscal year 2000 to fund 100 percent of the cost of the establishment, purchase, operation and maintenance of a PM2.5 monitoring network necessary to implement the national ambient air quality standards for PM2.5 under section 109 of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7409]. This implementation shall not result in a diversion or reprogramming of funds from other Federal, State or local Clean Air Act activities. Any funds previously diverted or reprogrammed from section 105 Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7405] grants for PM2.5 monitors must be restored to State or local air programs in fiscal year 1999. EPA and the States, consistent with their respective authorities under the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.], shall ensure that the national network (designated in subsection (a)) which consists of the PM2.5 monitors necessary to implement the national ambient air quality standards is established by December 31, 1999. The Governors shall be required to submit designations referred to in section 107(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7407(d)(1)] for each area following promulgation of the July 1997 PM2.5 national ambient air quality standard within 1 year after receipt of 3 years of air quality monitoring data performed in accordance with any applicable Federal reference methods for the relevant areas. Only data from the monitoring network designated in subsection (a) and other Federal reference method PM2.5 monitors shall be considered for such designations. Nothing in the previous sentence shall be construed as affecting the Governor’s authority to designate an area initially as nonattainment, and the Administrator’s authority to promulgate the designation of an area as nonattainment, under section 107(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act, based on its contribution to ambient air quality in a nearby nonattainment area. For any area designated as nonattainment for the July 1997 PM2.5 national ambient air quality standard in accordance with the schedule set forth in this section, notwithstanding the time limit prescribed in paragraph (2) of section 169B(e) of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7492(e)(2)], the Administrator shall require State implementation plan revisions referred to in such paragraph (2) to be submitted at the same time as State implementation plan revisions referred to in section 172 of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7502] implementing the revised national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter are required to be submitted. For any area designated as attainment or unclassifiable for such standard, the Administrator shall require the State implementation plan revisions referred to in such paragraph (2) to be submitted 1 year after the area has been so designated. The preceding provisions of this paragraph shall not preclude the implementation of the agreements and recommendations set forth in the Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission Report dated June 1996. The Administrator shall promulgate the designations referred to in section 107(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7407(d)(1)] for each area following promulgation of the July 1997 PM2.5 national ambient air quality standard by the earlier of 1 year after the initial designations required under subsection (c)(1) are required to be submitted or December 31, 2005. Field Study.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU [Aug. 10, 2005], the Administrator shall— conduct a field study of the ability of the PM2.5 Federal Reference Method to differentiate those particles that are larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter; develop a Federal reference method to measure directly particles that are larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter without reliance on subtracting from coarse particle measurements those particles that are equal to or smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter; develop a method of measuring the composition of coarse particles; and submit a report on the study and responsibilities of the Administrator under paragraphs (1) through (3) to— the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate. OZONE DESIGNATION REQUIREMENTS. The Governors shall be required to submit the designations referred to in section 107(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7407(d)(1)] within 2 years following the promulgation of the July 1997 ozone national ambient air quality standards. The Administrator shall promulgate final designations no later than 1 year after the designations required under subsection (a) are required to be submitted. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.

“Nothing in sections 6101 through 6103 shall be construed by the Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency or any court, State, or person to affect any pending litigation or to be a ratification of the ozone or PM2.5 standards.”

### Pending Actions and Proceedings

Suits, actions, and other proceedings lawfully commenced by or against the Administrator or any other officer or employee of the United States in his official capacity or in relation to the discharge of his official duties under act July 14, 1955, the Clean Air Act, as in effect immediately prior to the enactment of Pub. L. 95–95 [Aug. 7, 1977], not to abate by reason of the taking effect of Pub. L. 95–95, see section 406(a) of Pub. L. 95–95, set out as an Effective Date of 1977 Amendment note under section 7401 of this title.

### Modification or Rescission of Rules, Regulations, Orders, Determinations, Contracts, Certifications, Authorizations, Delegations, and Other Actions

All rules, regulations, orders, determinations, contracts, certifications, authorizations, delegations, or other actions duly issued, made, or taken by or pursuant to act July 14, 1955, the Clean Air Act, as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of Pub. L. 95–95 [Aug. 7, 1977] to continue in full force and effect until modified or rescinded in accordance with act July 14, 1955, as amended by Pub. L. 95–95 [this chapter], see section 406(b) of Pub. L. 95–95, set out as an Effective Date of 1977 Amendment note under section 7401 of this title.