[Federal Register: December 17, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 242)]
[Notices]
[Page 77257-77258]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17de02-48]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7422-8]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of 12 Modified Total
Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability for comment of the
administrative record file for 12 modified TMDLs and the calculations
for these TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the
Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche river basins, under section 303(d) of the
Clean Water Act (CWA). These TMDLs were completed in response to the
lawsuit styled Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford et al., No. 96-0527,
(E.D. La.).
DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before
January 16, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the 12 modified TMDLs should be sent to Ellen
Caldwell, Environmental Protection Specialist, Water Quality Protection
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross
Ave., Dallas, TX 75202-2733. For further information, contact Ellen
Caldwell at (214) 665-7513. The administrative record file for these
TMDLs are available for public inspection at this address as well.
Documents from the administrative record file may be viewed at
www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm, or obtained by calling or writing
Ms. Caldwell at the above address. Please contact Ms. Caldwell to
schedule an inspection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Caldwell at (214) 665-7513.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1996, two Louisiana environmental groups,
the Sierra Club and Louisiana Environmental Action Network
(plaintiffs), filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), styled Sierra Club, et
al. v. Clifford et al., No. 96-0527, (E.D. La.). Among other claims,
plaintiffs alleged that EPA failed to establish Louisiana TMDLs in a
timely manner. EPA originally established these TMDLs pursuant to a
consent decree entered in this lawsuit. EPA is now modifying these
TMDLs.
EPA Seeks Comments on 12 Modified TMDLs
By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 12 modified
TMDLs for waters located within the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche river
basins:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsegment Waterbody name Pollutant
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
050102................................. Bayou Joe Marcel.......... Pathogen indicators.
060204................................. Bayou Courtableau--Origin Pathogen indicators.
to West Atchafalaya
Borrow Pit Canal.
060212................................. Chatlin Lake Canal and Pathogen indicators.
Bayou Dulac.
060701................................. Tete Bayou................ Pathogen indicators.
060703................................. Bayou Portage............. Pathogen indicators.
060901................................. Bayou Petite Anse......... Pathogen indicators.
060909................................. Lake Peigneur............. Pathogen indicators.
060911................................. Dugas Canal............... Pathogen indicators.
060204................................. Bayou Courtableau--Origin Sulfates.
to West Atchafalaya
Borrow Pit Canal.
050201................................. Bayou Plaquemine Brule-- TDS.
Headwaters to Bayou Des
Cannes.
050501................................. Bayou Queue de Tortue-- TDS.
Headwaters to Mermentau
River.
060208................................. Bayou Boeuf--Headwaters to TDS.
Bayou Courtableau.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA previously requested the public to provide EPA with any
significant data or information that might impact the original 12 TMDLs
in Federal Register Notices: Volume 65, Number 173, pages 54032-54034
(September 6, 2000) and Volume 65, Number 196, page 60189 (October 10,
2000).
EPA now requests that the public provide any water quality related
data and information that may be relevant to the calculations for these
12 modified
[[Page 77258]]
TMDLs. EPA will review all data and information submitted during the
public comment period and revise the modifications to the TMDLs where
appropriate. EPA will then forward the modified TMDLs to the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). LDEQ will incorporate the
modified TMDLs into its current water quality management plan.
Dated: December 9, 2002.
Miguel I. Flores,
Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 02-31678 Filed 12-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P