FEDERAL LAND MANAGERS' AIR QUALITY RELATED VALUES WORKGROUP (FLAG)
PHASE I REPORT

(December 2000)

E. Future Flag Work

1. Implementing Flag Recommendations

FLAG participants believe that the recommendations in this document should be implemented as soon as possible. Therefore, an attempt has been made to present thorough and clear guidance of the processes that will be used to protect and improve AQRVs in FLM areas.

Many of the issues and recommendations discussed herein are complex and require specialized knowledge. Consequently, State agencies and others who intend to use this information in NSR/PSD permitting, land planning and use, and other activities, deserve further guidance and implementation assistance. FLAG members anticipate that much of this guidance and assistance will be provided locally through established formal and informal links between FLMs, States, EPA and others. However, FLAG members also see the need to conduct workshops and training sessions and to provide guidance on the Internet.

2. Phase I Updates

The FLAG Phase I report is intended to clearly state FLM guidance regarding NSR/PSD as it exists in December 2000. As the FLMs learn more about how to better assess the health and status of AQRVs, and as EPA produces new modeling tools, the FLAG guidance will be revised accordingly. As periodic revisions become necessary, any such revisions will be made to the web-based FLAG report. Any revisions to the report will be clearly stated on the FLAG web site. Additionally, once EPA promulgates the New Source Review Reform regulations, the FLMs may need to revise the FLAG Phase I report to address any inconsistencies that may result.

3. Phase II Tasks

Phase I has addressed issues that could be resolved relatively quickly, without extensive research or the collection of new data. During Phase II, FLAG will address the more complex issues and concerns, including those that may require additional data collection.

In Phase II, to the extent resources permit, FLAG members intend to fill information gaps identified in Phase I, recommend methods for establishing critical loads of pollutants, and attempt to resolve remaining differences in the policies and processes FLMs use to evaluate the effects of pollutants on AQRVs. In Phase II FLAG will also provide additional research and monitoring recommendations.

Other potential Phase II tasks include:

• Refine policies to prevent adverse AQRV impacts, and restore adversely impacted AQRVs.
• Refine procedures for cumulative AQRV impact analyses.
• Promoting internal (FLM) emission reductions through implementation of sustainable practices.
• Recommending a policy on redesignation of Class II federal lands to Class I.
• Clarifying FLM roles and responsibilities on Class II lands.
• Recommending a consistent policy regarding increment tracking and enforcement.

Issue-specific Phase II tasks are discussed in the individual subgroup reports.