[Federal Register: July 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 138)]
[Notices]
[Page 41069]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jy08-67]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8694-4]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of List Decisions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's final action
identifying water quality limited segments and associated pollutants in
Texas to be listed pursuant to Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d),
and request for public comment. Section 303(d) requires that states
submit and EPA approve or disapprove lists of waters for which existing
technology-based pollution controls are not stringent enough to attain
or maintain state water quality standards and for which total maximum
daily loads (TMDLs) must be prepared.
On July 9, 2008, EPA partially approved, and partially disapproved,
Texas' 2008 303(d) submission. Specifically, EPA approved Texas'
listing of 836 water body-pollutant combinations, and associated
priority rankings. EPA disapproved Texas' decision not to list one (1)
water body-pollutant combination. EPA identified this additional water
body pollutant-combination along with priority ranking for inclusion on
the 2008 Section 303(d) List.
EPA is providing the public the opportunity to review its final
decision to add one water body pollutant-combination to Texas' 2008
Section 303(d) List, as required by EPA's Public Participation
regulations (40 CFR Part 25). EPA will consider public comments and if
necessary amend its final action on the additional water body
pollutant-combination identified for inclusion on Texas' Final 2008
Section 303(d) List.
DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before August
18, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the decisions should be sent to Diane Smith,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Water Quality Protection Division,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas,
TX 75202-2733, telephone (214) 665-2145, facsimile (214) 665-7373, or
e-mail: smith.diane@epa.gov. Oral comments will not be considered.
Copies of the documents which explain the rationale for EPA's decision
and a list of the water quality limited segment for which EPA
disapproved Texas' decision not to list can be obtained at EPA Region
6's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/npdes/tmdl/index.htm,
or by writing or calling Ms. Smith at the above address. Underlying
documents from the administrative record for these decisions are
available for public inspection at the above address. Please contact
Ms. Smith to schedule an inspection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Smith at (214) 665-2145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 303(d) of the CWA requires that each
state identify those waters for which existing technology-based
pollution controls are not stringent enough to attain or maintain state
water quality standards. For those waters, states are required to
establish TMDLs according to a priority ranking.
EPA's Water Quality Planning and Management regulations include
requirements related to the implementation of Section 303(d) of the CWA
(40 CFR 130.7). The regulations require states to identify water
quality limited waters still requiring TMDLs every two years. The list
of waters still needing TMDLs must also include priority rankings and
must identify the waters targeted for TMDL development during the next
two years (40 CFR 130.7).
Consistent with EPA's regulations, Texas submitted to EPA its
listing decisions under Section 303(d) on April 1, 2008. On July 9,
2008, EPA approved Texas' listing of 836 water body-pollutant
combinations and associated priority rankings. EPA disapproved Texas'
decision not to list one (1) water body-pollutant combination. EPA
identified this additional water body pollutant-combination along with
priority ranking for inclusion on the 2008 Section 303(d) List. EPA
solicits public comment on its identification of one (1) additional
water body-pollutant combination for inclusion on Texas' 2008 Section
303(d) List.
Dated: July 10, 2008.
Miguel I. Flores,
Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. E8-16387 Filed 7-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P