[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19575-19576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9790]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7174-7]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of 11 Total Maximum 
Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Determinations That 4 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 the 
administrative record file for 11 TMDLs and the calculations for these 
TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the Calcasieu and 
Ouachita 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. versus Clifford et al., No. 96-0527, (E.D. La.).
    This notice also announces the availability for comment of EPA 
determinations that TMDLs are not needed for 4 waterbody/pollutant 
combinations in the Calcasieu and Ouachita river basins because new 
data show that water quality standards are being met or a TMDL 
previously has been approved. This proposed action would result in the 
removal of 4 waterbody/pollutant combinations from the Louisiana 303(d) 
list.

DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before May 
22, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the 11 TMDLs and the determinations that TMDLs 
are not needed for 4 waterbody/pollutant combinations 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 and the determinations that TMDLs are not needed 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 proposes these TMDLs and determinations that TMDLs 
are not necessary pursuant to a consent decree entered in this lawsuit.

EPA Seeks Comments on 11 TMDLs

    By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 11 TMDLs for 
waters located within the Calcasieu and Ouachita river basins:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subsegment                Waterbody name          Pollutant
------------------------------------------------------------------------
080401........................  Bayou Bartholomew--     Mercury.
                                 Arkansas State Line
                                 to Dead Bayou (Lake
                                 Bartholomew) (Scenic).
080402........................  Bayou Bartholomew--     Mercury
                                 Dead Bayou (Lake
                                 Bartholomew) to
                                 Ouachita River.
080302........................  Black River--Corps of   Organic
                                 Engineers Control       enrichment/low
                                 Structure to Red        DO.
                                 River.
081602........................  Little River--From      Siltation.
                                 Bear Creek to
                                 Catahoula Lake
                                 (Scenic).
080401........................  Bayou Bartholomew--     Suspended
                                 Arkansas State line     solids.
                                 to Dead Bayou (Lake
                                 Bartholomew) (Scenic).
080202........................  Bayou Louis...........  Turbidity.
080401........................  Bayou Bartholomew--     Turbidity.
                                 Arkansas State line
                                 to Dead Bayou (Lake
                                 Bartholomew) (Scenic).
081002........................  Joe's Bayou--           Turbidity.
                                 Headwaters to Bayou
                                 Macon.
081202........................  Lake St. Joseph (Oxbow  Turbidity.
                                 Lake).
081601........................  Little River--          Turbidity.
                                 Confluence of Castor
                                 Creek and Dugdemona
                                 River to junction
                                 with Bear Creek
                                 (Scenic).
081602........................  Little River--From      Turbidity.
                                 Bear Creek to
                                 Catahoula Lake
                                 (Scenic).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA Seeks Comments on Proposed Determinations That TMDLs for 4 
Waterbody/Pollutant Combinations are not Needed Due to Assessment of 
New Data that Show They are Meeting WQS or a TMDL previously has been 
Approved:

[[Page 19576]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subsegment                Waterbody name          Pollutant
------------------------------------------------------------------------
030201........................  Calcasieu River--       Lead.
                                 Confluence with Marsh
                                 Bayou to Saltwater
                                 Barrier (Scenic).
081401........................  Dugdemona River--       Nutrients.
                                 Headwaters to
                                 junction with Big
                                 Creek.
081401........................  Dugdemona River--       Organic
                                 Headwaters to.          enrichment/low
                                                         DO.
081503........................  Beaucoup Creek--        Organic
                                 Headwaters to Castor    enrichment/low
                                 Creek.                  DO (TMDL
                                                         previously
                                                         established).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA requests that the public provide any water quality related data 
and information that may be relevant to the calculations for these 11 
TMDLs and any comments relevant to the 4 determinations that TMDLs are 
not needed. EPA will review all data and information submitted during 
the public comment period and revise the TMDLs and determinations where 
appropriate. EPA will then forward the TMDLs to the Louisiana 
Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). LDEQ will incorporate the 
TMDLs into its current water quality management plan. EPA also will 
revise the Louisiana 303(d) list as appropriate.

    Dated: April 15, 2002.
Oscar Ramirez, Jr.,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 02-9790 Filed 4-19-02; 8:45 am]
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