[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3432]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 15, 1994]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-4837-7]
Review of Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This document provides opportunity for comment on the proposed
Stage 1 Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) for Lake Superior. This Stage 1
LaMP, when finalized, will serve to satisfy the obligations of the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) under
Section 118 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). It also serves as a report on
progress under the Binational Program to Restore and Protect Lake
Superior. This proposed LaMP was developed through a binational process
involving EPA, Environment Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the
States of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin under the ongoing
implementation of the Binational Program. EPA puts forward this
proposed LaMP for public comment in the United States on behalf of the
agencies involved in the Binational Program.
The proposed Lake Superior LaMP describes a selected list of
Critical Pollutants causing or contributing to adverse impacts on the
Lake Superior ecosystem based on information available as of January 1,
1991, and informs the public of the variety of actions that Federal,
State, Provincial, Tribal, and local governments and private
organizations are taking, will take, or could take to reduce the amount
of these pollutants entering the waters of the Lake Superior System. In
addition, the proposed Lake Superior LaMP proposes candidate Critical
Pollutants for evaluation in future revisions of the LaMP. Due to its
length and format, the proposed Lake Superior LaMP is summarized in
this notice, rather than published in full. As described in this
notice, EPA is making copies of the entire LaMP available to the
public. Furthermore, EPA is soliciting comments on all aspects of the
proposed LaMP. In particular, EPA seeks comments regarding the proposed
list of Critical Pollutants for Lake Superior, the proposed list of
causal pollutants (candidate Critical Pollutants) and the actions
available to Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as the public,
to reduce the release of Critical Pollutants from all sources and the
presence of these substances in the waters of the Lake Superior System.
DATES: EPA will accept comment on the proposed Lake Superior LaMP until
May 16, 1994. Comments received after this date may not be considered.
In addition, EPA has considered materials submitted by the public prior
to today's notice in the development of the proposed LaMP. These
materials contain comments on draft elements that have been superseded
by today's proposal and EPA will not consider them in the development
of the final LaMP. Further, EPA cannot ensure consideration of comments
submitted to other agencies or entities other than EPA in the
development of the final LaMP. Accordingly, EPA advises the public that
for the purposes of exhaustion of administrative remedies, all comments
must be submitted to EPA based on today's notice.
ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the proposed Lake Superior LaMP please
contact Jeanette Morris-Collins, Environmental Protection Assistant,
Water Quality Branch, U.S. EPA, Region 5 (WQ-16J), 77 West Jackson
Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, 60604, (telephone: 312-886-0152). Copies of
the proposed Lake Superior LaMP may also be obtained from the following
offices: Jean Hude, Michigan DNR, Surface Water Quality Division, P.O.
Box 30273, Lansing, Michigan, 48909, Telephone: 517-335-6970; Carrie
Losi-Hansen, Minnesota PCA, Division of Water Quality, 520 Lafayette
Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155, Telephone: 612-296-9134; Danielle
Valvasorri, Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Water Resources, P.O. Box 7021,
Madison, WI, 53707, Telephone: 608-266-9276.
The proposed Lake Superior LaMP will also be available for viewing
by the public at the following locations:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 Library, 77 W.
Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, 60604 (312-886-9056).
Michigan: Library of Michigan, Government Documents Service, 717
West Allegan, Lansing, Michigan, 48909 (517-373-1300); Detroit Public
Library, Sociology and Economics Department, 5201 Woodward Avenue,
Detroit, Michigan, 48902 (313-833-1440).
Minnesota: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Library, 320
Lafayette, St. Paul, Minnesota (612-296-7719).
Wisconsin: Water Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
2nd floor, 1975 Willow Drive, Madison, Wisconsin (608-2620-3069).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan M. Gilbertson, Project Manager,
Water Quality Branch, U.S. EPA, Region 5 (WQ-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd.,
Chicago, Illinois, 60604 (telephone: 312-353-2190).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In Article VI, Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
(GLWQA), as amended in 1987, the United States and Canadian Governments
agreed to develop and implement Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) for
each of the five Great Lakes. EPA interprets LaMPs as management tools
designed to: (1) Integrate Federal, State and local programs to reduce
loadings of toxic substances (including discharges from point and
nonpoint sources); (2) assess whether these programs will ensure
attainment of water quality standards and beneficial uses; and (3)
recommend any media-specific program enhancements necessary to reduce
toxic loadings in waters currently not attaining water quality
standards and/or beneficial uses. LaMPs provide an opportunity for
regulatory authorities to design cost-effective approaches for meeting
water quality standards and/or beneficial uses.
EPA believes the primary goal of LaMPs is to reduce both point and
nonpoint source loadings and ambient levels of critical pollutants,
those pollutants which are causing, or have the potential to cause,
exceedances of water quality standards or impairments of beneficial
uses of the Great Lakes. By addressing pollutants that might impair
waters that currently meet water quality standards and/or beneficial
uses, LaMPs incorporate a pollution prevention approach. Traditional
regulatory programs, as well as non-traditional voluntary programs, are
considered in the LaMP process.
EPA intends to periodically update LaMPs to reflect progress in
implementing media-specific programs and attendant reductions in
loadings of Critical Pollutants, to incorporate advances in the
understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem based on new data and
information, and to include any necessary program specific adjustments.
When finalized, EPA intends the Lake Superior LaMP to serve as the
basis for development and submission of State Water Quality Management
Plans (WQM Plans) developed in accordance with sections 208 and 303(b)
of the CWA, as implemented through the requirements of 40 CFR 130.6.
These WQM plans establish a process for continuing water quality
planning which focuses on priority issues and geographic areas and on
the development of water quality controls leading to implementation
measures. Such plans draw on water quality assessments to identify
priority point and nonpoint water quality problems, consider
alternative solutions and recommend control measures. In this way, EPA
and the States will ensure reasonable progress in the overall
improvement of Great Lakes water quality and attainment of water
quality standards and beneficial uses. Further, EPA expects any new
loadings data obtained during the development of LaMPs to be
incorporated by the States when establishing or revising Total Maximum
Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Waste Load Allocations (WLAs) for waters of the
Great Lakes System.
LaMP development for Lake Superior began as a component of the Bi-
National Program to Restore and Protect the Lake Superior Basin. Lake
Superior has not experienced the intense development, urbanization and
pollution characteristic of the lower Great Lakes and has remained
relatively pristine. The Program recognizes the unique, relatively
pristine nature of the Lake Superior ecosystem and the commitment of
the Federal, State and Provincial governments to developing new and
innovative approaches to pollution prevention and zero discharge of
certain persistent, bioaccumulative toxic pollutants. The focus of the
Lake Superior LaMP, therefore, is on using Lake Superior as a
demonstration area for new and innovative approaches to pollution
prevention and zero discharge.
II. Binational Program to Restore and Protect Lake Superior
On September 30, 1991, the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, Environment Canada, the States of Michigan, Minnesota and
Wisconsin, and the Province of Ontario announced the ``Binational
Program to Restore and Protect the Lake Superior Basin''. This program
represents the response of the Federal, State and Provincial
governments to the recommendation of the International Joint Commission
that ``* * * [Lake Superior be designated] as a demonstration area
where no point source discharge of any persistent toxic substance be
permitted''.
This Binational Program encompasses two major areas. The first is a
zero discharge demonstration program devoted to the goal of achieving
zero discharge or emission of nine designated persistent toxic
substances. The second is a broader program of identifying beneficial
use impairments, and restoring and protecting the Lake Superior Basin
ecosystem. The ultimate goal of the Lake Superior Binational Program is
to protect, and where necessary, restore the integrity of Lake
Superior's ecosystem through pollution prevention, enhanced regulatory
measures, and remedial programs.
The goal of the Lake Superior zero discharge demonstration program
is ``to achieve zero discharge and zero emission of certain designated
persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances, which may degrade the
ecosystem of the Lake Superior Basin''. This goal is to be pursued
through actions in three key areas--waters of the Lake Superior Basin
will be designated for special protection and antidegradation
requirements, and reductions in existing loadings will be achieved
through both voluntary pollution prevention actions and enhanced
control and regulatory efforts.
In the United States, the Binational Program commits the State
Governments of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin to designate
appropriate areas of the Lake Superior Basin as Lake Superior
Outstanding International Resource Waters (LS-OIRW), or as Lake
Superior Outstanding National Resource Waters (LS-ONRW). Under the LS-
OIRW designation, increased discharges of designated persistent
bioaccumulative toxic pollutants will not be allowed without an
adequate antidegradation demonstration which includes application of
best technology for process and treatment. Under the LS-ONRW
designation, any new or increased discharges of designated persistent
bioaccumulative pollutants from point sources will be prohibited. EPA
included provisions for the LS-ONRW and LS-OIRW designations in the
proposed Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance (58 FR 20803) on behalf of
the Lake Superior States. EPA anticipates publishing the final Guidance
in the Federal Register by March 13, 1995.
In the United States, it is the goal of the Clean Water Act that
the discharge of pollutants to the waters of the nation be eliminated.
(Pub. L. 92-500, as amended by Pub. L. 100-4) Further, it is national
policy that the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts be
prohibited, and that programs be developed and implemented to meet the
goals of the Act through the control of both point and nonpoint sources
of pollution. Over the last twenty years, tremendous progress has been
made in improving the water quality of the Great Lakes System, and
encouraging continued progress towards zero discharge of pollutants to
the waters of the Great Lakes System.
To ensure such progress continues, the United States commits to
improved point source and nonpoint source controls through upgraded
technology based requirements and water quality standard requirements,
implementation of best management practices, and application of
technology based air emission standards to ensure achievement of water
quality criteria, including air emission standards for Great Lakes
pollutants of concern.
Pollution prevention measures are the preferred approach to
eliminate or further reduce persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances
at their sources. In the United States, the Pollution Prevention Act of
1990 declares as national policy that pollution prevention is the
preferred approach to environmental protection (United States Public
Law 101-508). When preventing pollution is not feasible, recycling in
an environmentally safe manner is the next preferred option, followed
by treatment. Disposal or other release into the environment should be
the management option of last resort, and should only be done in an
environmentally protective manner.
A comprehensive multi-media pollution prevention strategy has been
developed by EPA and Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The strategy
focuses on the nine designated zero discharge pollutants and identifies
sources and pollution prevention alternatives for reducing loadings
from these sources. Implementation of the strategy encompasses
technical assistance, education, special programs, legislative and
regulatory recommendations, and financial incentives.
EPA views LaMPs as dynamic, action-oriented processes encompassing
a number of components. These include an evaluation of beneficial use
impairments and pollutants contributing to those impairments; a summary
of sources and loads of these critical pollutants; identification of
ongoing prevention, control and remediation actions as well as
additional efforts needed to reduce pollutant loads and restore
beneficial uses; and monitoring activities to evaluate the
effectiveness of program actions. This approach for developing and
implementing LaMPs is an evolutionary and iterative process for
identifying and reducing loadings of Critical Pollutants from all
sources.
While the focus of a LaMP is on toxic pollutants, the Federal,
State and Provincial agencies participating in the LaMPs recognize that
issues associated with beneficial use impairments, such as habitat
quality and quantity, and endangered or threatened species, are
significant factors in addressing the overall ecological health of the
Great Lakes System. As the Lake Superior LaMP develops, participating
Agencies will identify opportunities for addressing these issues in
conjunction with toxic load reduction activities. In this manner the
LaMP for Lake Superior will further the broader goal of the Binational
Program of identifying beneficial use impairments, and restoring and
protecting the Lake Superior Basin ecosystem.
Certain elements of this broader program are already underway,
including a Binational Habitat Project to identify and rank critical
habitat sites for protection and restoration, and special designations
establishing protected management areas such as parks, reserves, and
wildlife refuges.
III. Management Process
The development and implementation of LaMPs is an enormous
undertaking in terms of the technical complexity of the issues, the
geographic scope encompassed by the LaMP, and the extensive
coordination required amongst Federal, Provincial, State, Tribal and
local governments, and the public. EPA and the participating agencies
believe LaMPs should be developed with full participation by all
interested parties.
The Binational Program management structure serves as the
management framework for the Lake Superior LaMP. The Binational Program
is directed by the Lake Superior Task Force, a steering committee
comprised of senior managers of Federal, Provincial, State and Tribal
agencies. The Task Force is responsible for: (1) Providing overall
policy direction to the program, defining program priorities and
ensuring program implementation through application of all relevant
programmatic and statutory authorities; (2) convening technical work
groups composed of Federal, State, Provincial and other representatives
as necessary to develop recommendations for actions; (3) reviewing and
approving the LaMP or specific elements of it, technical workgroup
products, and recommendations; (4) ensuring public participation and
review; and (5) securing resources to support LaMP development and
implementation.
The Lake Superior Workgroup (SWG), comprised of technical and
scientific staff, reports to the Task Force and is responsible for
program implementation.
The Lake Superior Forum is a public participation group consisting
of 22 U.S. and Canadian members from academia, industry,
municipalities, environmental organizations and concerned citizens
representative of basin stakeholders.
Public participation in the development and implementation of the
Binational Program is accomplished through three tiers of activity: (1)
General public education through workshops, public presentations, and
the distribution of fact sheets and other written materials, (2) public
notices to provide the opportunity for broad public review of the LaMP
and progress on implementation on an ongoing basis; and (3) the Lake
Superior Forum. Representatives of the Forum are invited to: (1)
Participate as observers in both Task Force and technical-level
committee meetings; (2) develop recommendations for Task Force and
Workgroup consideration; and, (3) comment on recommendations and
documents of the Binational Program. The Forum does not substitute for
the activities described in tiers 1 or 2. Forum members are encouraged
to be representative of various constituencies within the Basin, and to
provide the Task Force with their views and concerns on Binational
Program activities.
IV. Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan
The proposed Lake Superior LaMP embodies a process for implementing
an ecosystem-focussed approach to environmental protection. The process
consists of the following steps:
(1) Monitoring the environment and reviewing available data to
determine existing ecological or use impairments and any potential
threats to the Lake Superior System;
(2) Identifying the pollutants associated with impairments or
threats;
(3) Identifying the sources of these pollutants;
(4) Measuring or estimating the quantity of pollutants being
released by those sources and the amount reaching the waters of the
Lake Superior System (i.e., the ``loading'' of the pollutants);
(5) Establishing load reduction targets that will allow for the
restoration and protection of the ecological health of the Lake
Superior ecosystem;
(6) Developing and implementing specific strategies to reduce the
levels of pollutant loadings and/or ambient levels in the waters of the
Lake Superior System;
(7) Monitoring reductions from pollutant sources;
(8) Evaluating ecosystem response, through monitoring of ecosystem
indicators, in order to measure progress towards restoration of
beneficial uses and ecosystem health and integrity, and to detect
emerging problems; and,
(9) Revising the LaMP to reflect the results of load reduction
actions, incorporate additional data on the status of beneficial use
impairments and identify the next series of priority actions.
The development and implementation of a Lakewide Management Plan is
an iterative process, a series of actions leading to environmental
improvements and protection and restoration of beneficial uses. EPA and
the binational partners view the LaMP as a series of dynamic,
interrelated actions, rather than a static document. As more
information becomes available, additional load reduction activities
will be initiated by the participating agencies. As the effectiveness
of ongoing efforts are evaluated, EPA and the participating agencies
will establish new priorities as appropriate. The Agency believes
development and implementation of the LaMP will enhance the ability of
participating agencies to respond to emerging environmental problems
quickly and effectively. Activities underway through the LaMP are not
necessarily sequential; activities specific to each step likely will be
ongoing simultaneously.
Acquisition of more complete information regarding the association
between critical pollutants and beneficial uses, sources and loads of
pollutants, and achievement of ecosystem objectives will be a long-term
process. The binational partners intend to move forward by reducing
pollutant loads while simultaneously improving their understanding of
the relationships between beneficial use impairments and pollutant
loadings and sources. This refinement will be realized through more
comprehensive data management, research, and monitoring efforts.
Finally, the LaMP will improve the environmental protection efforts
of the participating agencies by:
Providing a lakewide context for activities undertaken in
support of the Great Lakes program in order to facilitate efforts
focussed on the entire basin or on specific tributary subbasins;
Coordinating Federal, Provincial, State, local, and tribal
activities to avoid duplication of effort, ensure that ongoing
activities are complimentary, and identify opportunities to add value
to ongoing efforts;
Communicating information among all levels of government
and the public in order to keep the public informed of ongoing and
proposed activities and provide a forum for public input and comment;
Providing a vehicle for linking agency pollution control
activities to environmental results; and
Identifying and evaluating gaps in existing programs and
authorities which represent impediments to complete restoration of Lake
Superior, and making recommendations on how to fill those gaps.
V. Critical Pollutants
Critical Pollutants are defined by Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement as substances that persist at levels that, singly or
in synergistic or additive combination, are causing, or are likely to
cause, impairment of beneficial uses despite past application of
regulatory controls due to their: (1) Presence in open lake waters; (2)
ability to cause or contribute to a failure to meet Agreement
objectives through their recognized threat to human health and aquatic
life; or (3) ability to bioaccumulate.
As discussed above, the Lake Superior Binational Program has
designated nine chemicals for zero discharge. The SWG proposes these
nine pollutants be designated as Critical Pollutants in the Lake
Superior LaMP: chlordane, DDT and metabolites, dieldrin,
hexachlorobenzene, octachlorostyrene, PCBs, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, toxaphene and
mercury.
The SWG has evaluated pollutants which are causally linked to
lakewide impairments of beneficial uses, exceedances of chemical
criteria, standards or objectives, or impairments of ecosystem
objectives. The SWG proposes these pollutants as candidate Critical
Pollutants. These causal pollutants (candidate Critical Pollutants)
are:
Organics Metals Others
alpha-BHC arsenic bark
heptachlor epoxide cadmium BOD
PAH's chromium fibre
furans & dioxins copper phosphorous
lead pulp mill effluent
iron
manganese
nickel
zinc
The Superior Workgroup will evaluate the list of causal pollutants
for evidence of point or nonpoint discharges of these pollutants to the
waters of the Lake Superior System. In addition, the causal pollutants
will be evaluated on the basis of their potential to cause significant
damage to the health of the Lake Superior ecosystem. This evaluation
will form the basis for designating Critical Pollutants which currently
impact Lake Superior.
The Lake Superior Forum has developed a list of pollutants which
the Forum believes should be subject to preventative measures in the
basin. The Forum believes that identifying these substances as critical
pollutants will enhance the level of protection afforded the Lake
Superior ecosystem, and is consistent with the goals of the Binational
Program. EPA puts forward these Forum proposals to further public
discussion on this issue, and request comments on the scope and
adequacy of the Forum proposal.
The SWG proposes that Critical Pollutants will be targeted for: (1)
Zero discharge; (2) lakewide load reductions; and/or, (3) preventative
measures, based upon their characteristics, such as persistence,
bioaccumulative potential, toxicity and potential for future
introduction to the basin. Using such a categorization process will
strengthen the ability of Federal, Provincial and State agencies to
develop and apply appropriate environmental protection strategies.
EPA finds merit with these proposals of the SWG and puts them forth
in the United States in today's notice on behalf of the binational
partners. EPA requests specific comments on the proposal to designate
the substances listed above as Critical Pollutants for Lake Superior.
EPA requests proposals for pollutants other than those listed above to
be added to the Critical Pollutant list. EPA further requests any
information on the ambient concentrations of a pollutant in the water
or sediments of Lake Superior, or in the tissues of the aquatic life,
wildlife, or humans that are dependent on Lake Superior for food or
water, which suggests that a substance should be considered a critical
pollutant for Lake Superior. In addition, EPA requests any additional
information on any sources and loadings of these and any other
substances that may currently cause, or have the potential to cause,
impairments of beneficial uses of the Lake Superior ecosystem.
VI. Source Identification and Load Quantification
Today's proposed Lake Superior LaMP focuses on the nine designated
zero discharge pollutants which have been designated as Critical
Pollutants. As of January 1, 1991, 43 major surface water dischargers
to the waters of the Lake Superior System have been identified.
Existing industrial sources include 27 facilities, including forest
products manufacturers, mines and metals processing facilities,
electrical generating stations, a wood preserving industry, an oil
refinery, and a food processor. Sixteen municipal wastewater treatment
facilities were evaluated. Of these 43 sources, available data indicate
that 16 discharged detectable levels of TCDD, OCS, HCB, PCBs and
mercury. The most commonly detected pollutant was mercury, identified
in 14 of the 43 sources. Detailed descriptions for these 43 sources are
included in Appendix 5 and detailed loadings estimates in Appendix 6.
Available loadings and process information were used to assess each
source against a proposed blueprint for zero discharge. The results of
this assessment are included in Appendix 7. In only a few cases could
loads be estimated by direct measurement of pollutant concentration
multiplied by total flows.
EPA requests comments on the accuracy and completeness of these
source evaluations. EPA further requests any additional information on
the discharges of critical pollutants, or other pollutants which may
adversely affect beneficial uses, to the waters of Lake Superior System
from these or any other point or nonpoint sources.
EPA and the binational partners recognize that no direct method of
measuring zero discharge exists due partly to the limits of analytical
science as well as the lack of an authoritative definition of zero.
Therefore, to assess the progress of the zero discharge demonstration
program and the LaMP, today's proposed LaMP includes a framework, or
blueprint, for assessing zero discharge. This blueprint utilizes an
approach of assessing chemical use, production, or potential for
release in contrast to solely utilizing analytical detection. Such a
staged approach accommodates evaluation of sources within as well as
outside of the Lake Superior basin which cause or have the potential to
cause impairments of beneficial uses.
EPA concurs with this proposed approach for Lake Superior, and puts
forward this proposed blueprint for public review and comment in the
United States on behalf of the binational partners. EPA requests
comments on the suitability of such an approach in assessing progress
towards zero discharge in Lake Superior, as well as other alternatives
for assessing progress.
VII. Ecosystem Objectives and Indicators
In Annex 1 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the U.S. and
Canadian governments, in consultation with State and Provincial
governments, agreed to develop ecosystem objectives for the waters of
the Great Lakes System, as the state of knowledge permits. In addition,
the Agreement specifies the following objective for Lake Superior -
``the Lake should be maintained as a balanced and stable oligotrophic
ecosystem with lake trout as the top aquatic predator of a cold water
community and the Pontoporeia hoyi as a key organism in the food
chain.''
EPA views ecosystem principles and objectives as an integral
component of LaMPs consistent with the general principles of Annex 2 of
the Agreement that LaMPs embody a systematic and comprehensive
ecosystem approach to restoring and protecting beneficial uses. EPA
intends to incorporate ecosystem principles and objectives, and
ultimately, ecosystem indicators, into the Lake Superior LaMP. The
public will be provided opportunities to participate in the development
of ecosystem indicators for Lake Superior, including review and comment
on proposed ecosystem indicators. When finalized and adopted into the
Lake Superior LaMP, EPA believes ecosystem principles, objectives and
indicators will serve to further the goals of the Binational Program as
well as the broader goals of the Agency's Great Lakes program.
The proposed Lake Superior ecosystem principles and objectives were
drafted by representatives of Federal, State and Provincial agencies in
consultation with the Lake Superior Forum. EPA puts forward the
proposed Lake Superior ecosystem principles and objectives for public
review and comment in the United States on behalf of the binational
partners. Comments received from the public on todays proposal will be
considered by the binational partners in finalizing and adopting Lake
Superior ecosystem principles and objectives. EPA requests comments on
all aspects of todays proposal, including: (1) A Vision for Lake
Superior adopted by the Lake Superior Forum; (2) general objectives;
(3) aquatic community objectives; (4) terrestrial wildlife objectives;
(5) habitat objectives; (5) human health objectives; and, (6)
objectives for sustainable development. In addition, EPA requests
comments on the proposed framework for developing ecosystem indicators
for Lake Superior.
The Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance, when finalized, will
establish water quality criteria and goals to protect aquatic life,
wildlife, and human health in the Great Lakes Basin. The water quality
criteria and values proposed in the Guidance apply to all the ambient
United States waters of the Great Lakes System, regardless of the
source of pollutants to those waters. In this manner, the proposed
water quality criteria and values provide the basis for integrating
actions carried out under the range of environmental programs available
to both Federal, State and Tribal regulators to protect and restore the
Great Lakes ecosystem. EPA intends to use the water quality criteria
and values, when finalized, as indicators of the health of the Lake
Superior ecosystem. EPA requests comments on this approach.
VIII. Management Strategies and Actions
A wide range of actions are being undertaken by Federal, Provincial
and State agencies through the Binational Program. These include
specific actions intended to reduce pollutant loadings to the Lake
Superior System, and further the goals of zero discharge. These
include:
Implementation of a comprehensive pollution prevention
strategy for the nine designated zero discharge pollutants.
Assessment and analysis of financial/economic tools and
incentives to encourage virtual elimination and sustainable development
throughout the Lake Superior Basin as mechanisms to achieve zero
discharge.
Basinwide educational programs to raise consumer
consciousness regarding hazardous wastes and the impact of such wastes
on the water quality.
Load reductions through existing and expanded
environmental programs at the Federal, Provincial and State levels.
Development of specific procedures for LS-OIRW and LS-ONRW
designations including candidate lists of waters.
Investigation and remediation of contaminated sediments in
targeted sites
Public workshops and meetings throughout the Lake Superior
Basin to discuss both the proposed LaMP and the Binational Program.
Development of a comprehensive monitoring program designed
to quantify loads and identify sources of critical pollutants on a
priority basis.
EPA Requests public comment on the scope, adequacy, and timing of
the actions described in the proposed Lake Superior LaMP. EPA requests
proposals or information from the public on local actions to reduce
loads of toxic pollutants to the waters of the Lake Superior System, on
any other action which may reduce loads of toxic pollutants to the
waters of the Lake Superior System, support the zero discharge
demonstration program, further public participation and involvement in
the Binational Program, or in any other way serve to protect and
restore the Lake Superior ecosystem.
Dated: February 1, 1994.
Robert Springer,
Acting Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-3432 Filed 2-14-94; 8:45 am]
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