[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 71 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 19760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7507]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7899-7]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Total Maximum
Daily Loads (TMDL)
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 files for 6 TMDLs and the calculations for these
TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the Atchafalaya
River, Barataria, Lake Pontchartrain, Mississippi River, Sabine River,
and Terrebonne Basins of Louisiana, under section 303(d) of the Clean
Water Act (CWA). These TMDLs were completed in response to a court
order in the lawsuit styled Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford, et al.,
No. 96-0527, (E.D. La.). EPA originally proposed draft TMDLs for these
segments on December 2, 2004. EPA has decided to withdraw the December
2, 2004, draft TMDLs, and now proposes new draft TMDLs for these
segments. Thus, EPA is not responding to those comments on the December
2, 2004, proposed draft TMDLs. EPA will be responding to comments on
the new proposed draft TMDLs available herein after public notice.
DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before May
16, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the 6 TMDLs should be sent to Diane Smith,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Water Quality Protection Division,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas,
TX 75202-2733, or by email to the following address:
[email protected]. For further information, contact Diane Smith at
(214) 665-2145 or fax (214) 665-7373. TMDL documents from the
administrative record files may be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm, or obtained by calling, writing or emailing Ms.
Smith at the above addresses. The administrative record files for the 6
TMDLs are available for public inspection at the above address as well.
Please contact Ms. Smith to schedule an inspection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Smith at (214) 665-2145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1996, two Louisiana environmental groups,
the Sierra Club and Louisiana Environmental Action Network
(plaintiffs), filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against 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 pursuant to a
consent decree entered in this lawsuit.
EPA Seeks Comment on 6 TMDLs
By this notice, EPA is seeking comment on the following 6 TMDLs for
waters located within Louisiana basins:
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Subsegment Waterbody name Pollutant
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010901......................... Atchafalaya Bay and Mercury.
Delta and Gulf Waters
to the State 3-mile
Limit.
021102......................... Barataria Basin Mercury.
Coastal Bays and Gulf
Waters to the State 3-
mile Limit.
042209......................... Lake Pontchartrain Mercury.
Basin Coastal Bays
and Gulf Waters to
the State 3-mile
Limit.
070601......................... Mississippi River Mercury.
Basin Coastal Bays
and Gulf Waters to
the State 3-mile
Limit.
110701......................... Sabine River Basin Mercury.
Coastal Bays and Gulf
Waters to the State 3-
mile Limit.
120806......................... Terrebonne Basin Mercury.
Coastal Bays and Gulf
Waters to the State 3-
mile Limit.
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EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality-
related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations
for the 6 TMDLs. EPA will review all data and information submitted
during the public comment period and revise the TMDLs 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.
Dated: April 7, 2005.
Miguel I. Flores,
Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 05-7507 Filed 4-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P