[Federal Register: December 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 236)]
[Notices]
[Page 71409]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09de04-48]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7846-5]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Total Maximum
Daily Loads. (TMDL)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability for comment of the
administrative record files for 9 TMDLs and the calculations for these
TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the Atchafalaya
River, Barataria, Calcasieu River, Lake Pontchartrain, Mermentau River,
Vermilion-Teche River, Mississippi River, Sabine River, and Terrebonne
Basins of Louisiana, under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA).
These TMDLs were completed in response to a court order in 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 10, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the 9 TMDLs should be sent to Linda Adams,
Environmental Scientist, Water Quality Protection Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX
75202-2733 or email: adams.lindak@epa.gov. For further information,
contact Linda Adams at (214) 665-6546 or fax (214) 665-2191. The
administrative record files for the 9 TMDLs are available for public
inspection at this address as well. Documents from the administrative
record files may be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm, or
obtained by calling or writing Ms. Adams at the above address. Please
contact Ms. Adams to schedule an inspection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Adams at (214) 665-6546.
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 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 proposes these TMDLs pursuant to a
consent decree entered in this lawsuit.
EPA Seeks Comment on 9 TMDLs
By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 9 TMDLs for
waters located within Louisiana basins:
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Subsegment Waterbody Name Pollutant
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010901......................... Atchafalaya Bay and Mercury.
Delta and Gulf Waters
to the State 3-mile
Limit.
021102......................... Barataria Basin Mercury.
Coastal Bays and Gulf
Waters to the State 3-
mile Limit.
031201......................... Calcasieu River Basin Mercury.
Coastal Bays and Gulf
Waters to the State 3-
mile Limit.
042209......................... Lake Pontchartrain Mercury.
Basin Coastal Bays
and Gulf Waters to
the State 3-mile
Limit.
050901......................... Mermentau River Basin Mercury.
Coastal Bays and Gulf
Waters to the State 3-
mile Limit.
061201......................... Vermilion-Teche River Mercury.
Basin Coastal Bays
and Gulf Waters to
the State 3-mile
Limit.
070601......................... Mississippi River Mercury.
Basin Coastal Bays
and Gulf Waters to
the State 3-mile
Limit.
110701......................... Sabine River Basin Mercury.
Coastal Bays and Gulf
Waters to the State 3-
mile Limit.
120806......................... Terrebonne Basin Mercury.
Coastal Bays and Gulf
Waters to the State 3-
mile Limit.
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EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality
related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations
for the 9 TMDLs. EPA will review all data and information submitted
during the public comment period and revise the TMDLs where
appropriate. EPA will then forward the TMDLs to the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). The LDEQ will incorporate
the TMDLs into its current water quality management plan.
Dated: December 2, 2004.
James R. Brown,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 04-27029 Filed 12-8-04; 8:45 am]
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