In October 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the existing National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Lead (Pb). EPA's final rule for Pb, effective January 12, 2009, stated that the county in which violations of the Pb NAAQS had occurred would be the default boundary for Pb nonattainment areas within a State. On December 15, 2009, Governor Janice K. Brewer sent Arizona's recommendations to EPA asking that all of the State, except the Hayden Area, be designated at attainment/unclassifiable for the 2008 Pb NAAQS. As for the Hayden Area, the Governor asked that EPA hold off making a premature, legal designation of "non-attainment" under the federal Clean Air Act in order to allow the State to negotiate an improved permit with ASARCO for the Hayden complex. If such an improved air permit is not entered or if the area records further violations of the lead standard, EPA could designate the existing Hayden Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Nonattainment Area, excluding Indian Country, as a non-attainment area for lead. This recommendation follows careful consideration of the new Pb standard, requirements for designation of nonattainment areas, and options available for implementing the standard. For more information on the lead standard go to EPA's Lead Air Quality Standards Web page.

The following information and Technical Analysis for Lead Boundary Designation is available for review:

• Governor Janice K. Brewer 's Letter to US EPA with attachment (December 15, 2009)
• ASARCO Commitment letter from Manuel E. Ramos, CEO. (December 15, 2009)
• EPA Letter to Governor - Area Designations for the 2008 Revised Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards (September 4, 2009)
• Technical Support Document - Boundary Recommendation for the 2008 Revision to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Lead (REVISED December 9, 2009)
• Map of Proposed Lead Boundary
• EPA Fact Sheet on the Health Effects of Lead from Revised NAAQS

For more information, please contact:

Corky Martinkovic, (602) 771-2372