[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 53 (Monday, March 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15472-15474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6680]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6953-8]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Proposed
Determinations That Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Are Not Needed
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability for comment of EPA's
determination that TMDLs are not needed for 26 waterbody/pollutant
combinations in the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche River Basins because
new data and information show that water quality standards are being
met. This proposed action would result in the removal of 26 waterbody/
pollutant combinations from the Louisiana 303(d) list. EPA prepared the
proposed determinations in response to a court order dated October 1,
1999, in the lawsuit Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford et al., No. 96-
0527, (E.D. La.). Under this court order, EPA is required to prepare
TMDLs when needed for waters on the Louisiana 1998 section 303(d) list
by December 31, 2007. The court order also requires EPA to add or
delete waters to the schedule as new data confirms that waters are or
are not meeting water quality standards.
DATES: Comments on the 26 proposed determinations that TMDLs are not
needed must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before April 18, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed determinations 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
the proposed determinations is 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 EPA, styled
Sierra
[[Page 15473]]
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. Discussion of the court's order may be found at 65
FR 54032 (September 6, 2000).
EPA Seeks Comments on 26 Proposed Determinations That TMDLs Are Not Needed
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Waterbody Waterbody description Suspected pollutant Reason for delisting
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050101............................. Bayou Des Cannes-- Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Headwaters to information shows it is
Mermentau River. meeting WQS.
050103............................. Bayou Mallet.......... Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
050201............................. Bayou Plaquemine Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Brule, Headwaters to information shows it is
Bayou Des Cannes. meeting WQS.
050901............................. Mermentau River Basin, Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Coastal. information shows it is
meeting WQS.
060802............................. Vermilion River--From Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
New Flanders information shows it is
Ambassador Caffery meeting WQS.
Bridge.
060904............................. Vermilion River B890 Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Basin, New Iberia information shows it is
Southern Drainage meeting WQS.
Canal.
060907............................. Franklin Canal........ Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
061101............................. Bayou Petite Anse..... Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
060804............................. Intracoastal Waterway. Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
060901............................. Bayou Petite Anse..... Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
050402............................. Lake Arthur and Lower Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Mermentau. information shows it is
meeting WQS.
050602............................. Intracoastal Waterway. Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
050701............................. Grand Lake............ Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
050702............................. Intracoastal Waterway. Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
050703............................. White Lake............ Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
060205............................. Bayou Teche-- Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Headwaters at Bayou information shows it is
Courtableau to I-10. meeting WQS.
060212............................. Chatlin Lake Canal and Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Bayou DuLac. information shows it is
meeting WQS.
060701............................. Tete Bayou............ Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
060702............................. Lake Fausse Point and Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Dauterive Lake. information shows it is
meeting WQS.
060906............................. Intracoastal Waterway. Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
060910............................. Boston Canal and Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Associated Canals information shows it is
(Estuarine). Meeting WQS.
061103............................. Freshwater Bayou Canal Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
050501............................. Bayou Que de Tortue Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
Headwaters to information shows it is
Mermentau River. meeting WQS.
060902............................. Bayou Carlin Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
(Delcambre Canal)-- information shows it is
Lake Peigneur To meeting WQS.
Bayou Petite Anse.
060803............................. Vermilion River Cutoff Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
061102............................. Intracoastal Waterway. Oil & Grease.......... Assessment of new data and
information shows it is
meeting WQS.
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[[Page 15474]]
EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality
related data and information that may be relevant to the 26 proposed
determinations that TMDLs are not needed. EPA will review all data and
information submitted during the public comment period and revise the
determinations where appropriate.
Dated: March 7, 2001.
Joan E. Brown,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 01-6680 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]
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