[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77257-77258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31678]


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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.

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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:

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               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]
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