[Federal Register: January 19, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 11)]
[Notices]
[Page 2860-2861]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ja10-39]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-9104-4]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Call for Data for the Illinois
River Watershed in Oklahoma and Arkansas
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Request for data.
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SUMMARY: EPA Region 6 is developing a watershed model for the Illinois
River watershed in Oklahoma and Arkansas to address nutrient water
quality impairments. The results of this watershed model may be used to
develop one or more total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the Illinois
River Watershed. EPA requests that the public provide any water quality
related data and information that may be relevant to the development of
the Illinois River Watershed model and TMDL by March 3, 2010. In
addition, EPA requests that all data submissions include the quality
assurance and quality control documentation. All data submissions
should be provided in an electronic format, if possible. EPA will
review all data and information submitted and will consider them in the
development of the model and TMDL, as appropriate.
DATES: Data and Information must be submitted in writing to EPA on or
before March 3, 2010. If you anticipate that you will be providing data
and information, but find it difficult to do so within the period of
time allowed, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as
possible.
ADDRESSES: You may submit data and Information to EPA Region 6 by e-
mail or U.S. post mail. To submit your data and information by e-mail,
send them to Smith.Diane@epa.gov. To submit your data and information
by U.S. mail, mark them to the attention of Diane Smith, Environmental
Protection Specialist, Water Quality Division, (6WQ), U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas,
Texas 75202-2733.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Smith, Environmental Protection
Specialist, Water Quality Protection Division, U.S. EPA Region 6, 1445
Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202-2733, (214) 665-2145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Illinois River is a tributary of the
Arkansas River, approximately 100 mi (160 km) long, between the States
of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Illinois River rises in the Ozark
Mountains in the northwest corner of Arkansas (Washington County) and
flows west into northeast Oklahoma. The Oklahoma portion of the
Illinois River is currently designated as a scenic river. In addition,
several segments of the Illinois River are on the State of Oklahoma's
303(d) list (impaired waters list) for total phosphorus, while the
main-stem Illinois River in Arkansas is not listed for total
phosphorus. However, several tributaries (e.g., Osage Creek, Muddy
Fork, and Spring Creek) to the Illinois River in Arkansas are currently
on the Arkansas 303(d) list for total
[[Page 2861]]
phosphorus. The purpose of this project is to develop a scientifically
robust watershed model to determine the reductions in phosphorus loads
that are needed to meet water quality standards in both States. This
watershed model will serve as a tool to effectively identify nutrient
reductions needed to ensure that water quality standards for phosphorus
are protected in both States; and, to devise varying allocation and
load reductions scenarios needed to guide appropriate point and non-
point source controls.
Specifically, EPA is soliciting technical information on
measurements of nutrients and related constituents in surface waters,
and all associated information needed to support development of the
Illinois River Watershed model and one or more planned TMDLs. Examples
of data requested include:
1. Monitoring data of nutrients, sediment, flow, water temperature,
dissolved oxygen and organics (oxygen demand) for any locations within
the Illinois River watershed, including the main-stem, its tributaries
and other water-bodies.
2. Watershed land use/land cover characteristics, including
topography, hydrography, drainage patterns, soils, cropping patterns,
and other potential nutrient sources. GIS (geographic information
system) coverage is preferred for this type of spatial data.
3. Precipitation and meteorological data, including evaporation,
air temperature, wind movement, solar radiation, dew-point temperature,
and cloud cover. Daily data for the 1980-2010 time periods is needed.
Precipitation data at shorter time intervals, (e.g., hourly or 15-
minute) is needed for some locations to provide adequate coverage and
definition of rainfall patterns across the watershed.
4. Hydrography and geomorphological data for channels and major
water-bodies, including channel lengths and slopes, cross-sections and
geometry, bed composition (sediment particle sizes, nutrients), stage/
storage/surface area information, etc. Prior flood insurance and
associated modeling studies would be useful.
5. Other nutrient source information and/or water quality
assessments specifically addressing wastewater discharges, agricultural
water diversions and/or agricultural return flows, water supply intake
structures, and information regarding the distribution, population and
locations of feedlots, pastures, cattle and poultry houses.
6. Prior investigations and modeling studies that analyze
monitoring data, describe agronomic and poultry practices, estimate
nonpoint source loading rates for nutrients by source category, assess
water quality impacts and/or biotic endpoints for any sites within the
watershed.
Dated: January 11, 2010.
Troy C. Hill,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2010-829 Filed 1-15-10; 8:45 am]
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