[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 130 (Friday, July 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 39509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13496]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7926-5]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of List Decisions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action announces the availability of EPA decisions
identifying water quality limited segments and associated pollutants in
New Hampshire to be listed pursuant to Clean Water Act section
303(d)(2), and requests public comment. Section 303(d)(2) 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.
EPA has partially approved and partially disapproved New
Hampshire's 2004 submittal. Specifically, EPA approved New Hampshire's
listing of 637 waterbody segments (5189 including mercury impairments),
associated pollutants and priority rankings. EPA disapproved New
Hampshire's decision not to list five water quality limited segments
and associated pollutants. EPA identified these additional waterbody
segments, pollutants, and priority rankings for inclusion on the 2004
section 303(d) list.
EPA is providing the public the opportunity to review its decision
to add waters and pollutants to New Hampshire's 2004 Section 303(d)
list, as required by EPA's Public Participation regulations. EPA will
consider public comments in reaching its final decision on the
additional water bodies and pollutants identified for inclusion on New
Hampshire's final list.
DATES: Comments must be submitted to EPA on or before August 8, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed decisions should be sent to Al
Basile, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA New England Regional
Office, One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (CWQ), Boston, MA 02114-2023,
telephone (617) 918-1599, e-mail [email protected]. Oral comments
will not be considered. Copies of the proposed decisions concerning New
Hampshire which explain the rationale for EPA's decision can be
obtained from the EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/tmdl/index.html or by writing or calling Mr. Basile at the above address.
Underlying documentation comprising the record for these decisions are
available for public inspection at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Basile at (617) 918-1599 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (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 lists
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). On March 31, 2000, EPA promulgated a revision
to this regulation that waived the requirement for states to submit
section 303(d) lists in 2000 except in cases where a court order,
consent decree, or settlement agreement required EPA to take action on
a list in 2000 (65 FR 17170).
Consistent with EPA's regulations, New Hampshire submitted to EPA
its listing decisions under section 303(d)(2) on April 1, 2004. EPA
approved New Hampshire's listing of 637 waterbody segments (5189
including mercury impairments) and associated priority rankings. EPA
disapproved New Hampshire's decision not to list five water quality
limited segments and associated pollutants. EPA identified these
additional waters and pollutants along with priority rankings for
inclusion on the 2004 section 303(d) list. EPA solicits public comment
on its identification of five additional waters and associated
pollutants for inclusion on New Hampshire's 2004 Section 303(d) list.
Dated: June 14, 2005.
Linda M. Murphy,
Director, Office of Ecosystem Protection, New England Regional Office.
[FR Doc. 05-13496 Filed 7-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P