When is project-level conformity for the new standards required?
A. Once the conformity grace period expires (June 15, 2005 for the 8-hour ozone standard and April 5, 2006 for the PM2.5 standard), a project-level conformity determination is required whenever a non-exempt project completes the NEPA process, as defined in 40 CFR 93.101. For projects that complete the NEPA process prior to the end of the conformity grace period without a conformity determination for a new standard, a project-level conformity determination would be required for the next project phase that requires FHWA/FTA approval. For more information, see Section III.A-C of the July 1, 2004 rulemaking, which is available at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-AIR/2004/July/Day-01/a14213.htm.
