144 



Initiative at its semi-annual meeting on May 13th. I hope that, like the Grand 

 Canyon Visibility Transport Commission, the Southern Appalachian Mountains 

 Initiative will help EPA develop an appropriate structure for visibility protection and 

 new source review programs that address class i area concerns in other areas of 

 the country. 



EPA is also working in cooperation with the federal land managers to put 

 together a computerized data base which will keep permitting agencies, permit 

 applicants and the general public apprised of technical and policy information 

 regarding the assessment of air quality impacts in class I areas. We expect this 

 data base to be on line within the next two months. 



Mr. Chairman, you asked me to discuss our relationship with the State of 

 Virginia regarding various permits that may affect air quality at Shenandoah 

 National Park. EPA has delegated to Virginia the authority to implement the federal 

 permitting program for the siting of new and modified major sources in areas 

 attaining the standards. Our involvement with the State's permit review takes 

 place at the EPA regional office level and has been in the form of general guidance 

 and participation during the public comment period. If a permit is appealed, as has 

 been the case in Virginia, EPA's Environmental Appeals Board hears and decides 

 the challenge. To date, several appeals regarding permits issued to facilities in 

 Virginia have been reviewed by the Board and, prior to its establishment, by the 

 Administrator. 



More generally, representatives from the federal land management agencies 

 and the State of Virginia actively participate in the New Source Review reform 

 effort noted above. It is our hope that the reform efforts will lead to improved 

 policy guidance and coordination on class I area issues that will be beneficial to all 

 interested parties in the permit application and review process. 



Mr. Chairman, despite the improvements we expect from the various 

 ongoing programs I have described, I believe that additional efforts are needed to 

 address remaining air quality problems in class I areas. These efforts are 



8 



