[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19762-19764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9093]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6577-4]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Total Maximum 
Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Determinations That TMDLs Are Not Needed

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 19763]]

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability for comment of the 
administrative record file for 19 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). The above TMDLs were completed in response to the October 1, 
1999, Court Order in the Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford et al., No. 
96-0527 (E.D. La. Oct. 1, 1999). This Court Order required EPA to 
establish TMDLs for CWA section 303(d) listed waters in several basins, 
including the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche river basins. This notice 
also announces the availability for comment of EPA determinations that 
TMDLs are not needed for 46 waterbody/pollutant combinations in the 
Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche river basins and an additional 2 listings 
in the Pearl River basin.

DATES: Comments must be submitted to EPA on or before May 12, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the 19 TMDLs and notice that TMDLs are not 
needed for 48 waterbodies 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. Copies of the TMDLs and their respective calculations may be 
viewed at www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm, or obtained by writing or 
calling Ms. Caldwell at the above address. The administrative record 
file for these TMDLs is available for public inspection at the above 
address as well. 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). Among other claims, 
plaintiffs alleged EPA failed to fulfill a mandatory duty under CWA 
section 303(d), submission of a reasonable schedule and establishment 
of TMDLs for all Louisiana waters not satisfying water quality 
standards.
    By the October 1, 1999, judgment (Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford 
et al., No. 96-0527 [E.D. La. Oct. 1, 1999]), the Court disapproved 
EPA's proposed 12-year TMDL schedule. The Court, in part, ordered the 
following EPA actions:
    (1) The defendants, EPA, shall prepare total maximum daily loads 
for Louisiana waters identified as not meeting water quality standards 
according to the following schedule:

(a) By December 31, 1999, for all of the waters in the Mermentau and 
Vermilion/Teche basins.
(b) By December 31, 2001, for all of the waters in the Calcasieu and 
Ouachita basins.
(c) By December 31, 2003, for all of the waters in the Barataria and 
Terrebonne basins.
(d) By December 31, 2005, for all of the waters in the Red and Sabine 
basins.
(e) By December 31, 2006, for all of the waters in the Pontchartrain 
basins.
(f) By December 31, 2007, for all of the waters in the Mississippi, 
Atchafalaya, and Pearl basins.

    (2) The defendants, EPA, shall add or delete waters to the schedule 
as new data confirms that the waters are or are not meeting water 
quality standards. If a water is deleted from the identification of 
waters that do not meet water quality standards, the defendants need 
not prepare a total maximum daily load for the water. If an additional 
water is identified as not meeting water quality standards, the 
defendants shall prepare a total maximum daily load for the water by 
the applicable deadline in the schedule if the water is identified at 
least one year prior to the deadline. If the additional water is 
identified less than one year before the total maximum load would be 
due under the schedule, the defendants shall have discretion to prepare 
the load by the scheduled deadline or to extend the schedule.
    (3) The defendants, EPA, may determine if the State of Louisiana 
wishes to assist the EPA in preparing any or all of the total maximum 
daily loads required by this schedule. If Louisiana elects to assume 
responsibility for preparation of any of the total maximum daily loads, 
it shall submit the load to the defendants by the dates indicated in 
the schedule described above. The defendants shall approve or 
disapprove any total maximum daily load submitted by the state within 
30 days of its submission. If the defendants disapprove any total 
maximum daily load, the defendants shall prepare a total maximum load 
for the water within 30 days after the date of its disapproval. If 
after assuming responsibility for the preparation of any total maximum 
daily load, the state fails to submit the load to the EPA by the 
required deadline, the defendants shall prepare the total maximum daily 
load within 60 days after the deadline.
    Consistent with earlier EPA representations, the administrative 
record file and calculations for the following nineteen TMDLs, prepared 
on waters located within the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche basins, are 
available for review and comment:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Subsegment               Waterbody name         Pollutant
------------------------------------------------------------------------
050201..........................  Bayou Plaquemine    Mercury.
                                   Brule.
050101..........................  Bayou Des Cannes..  Mercury.
050702..........................  Seventh Ward Canal  Mercury.
                                   (Intracoastal
                                   Waterway).
060203..........................  Chicot Lake.......  Mercury.
050901..........................  Coastal waters of   Mercury.
                                   the Gulf of
                                   Mexico (Mermentau
                                   River Basin
                                   Coastal).
061201..........................  Coastal waters of   Mercury.
                                   the Gulf of
                                   Mexico (Vermilion-
                                   Teche RB-CB&G).
050101..........................  Bayou Des Cannes..  Fecal Coliform
050201..........................  Bayou Plaquemine    Fecal Coliform
                                   Brule.
050301..........................  Bayou Nezpique....  Fecal Coliform
050501..........................  Bayou Queue de      Turbidity
                                   Tortue.
060208..........................  Bayou Boeuf.......  Fecal Coliform
060301..........................  Bayou Teche.......  Fecal Coliform
060401..........................  Bayou Teche.......  Fecal Coliform
060801..........................  Vermilion River...  Fecal Coliform
060802..........................  Vermilion River...  Fecal Coliform
060801..........................  Vermilion River...  Dissolved Oxygen
060801..........................  Vermilion River...  Nitrogen
060802..........................  Vermilion River...  Dissolved Oxygen
060802..........................  Vermilion River...  Nitrogen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA regulations provide for public participation when the Agency 
establishes TMDLs. By this notice, and pursuant to 40 CFR part 
130.7(d)(2), EPA is seeking comment on the above 19 TMDLs. While these 
TMDLs were prepared consistent with short time frames provided in the 
October 1, 1999, Court Order, EPA recognizes the importance of 
preparing both, timely and accurate TMDLs. Thus, EPA requests the 
public to provide any significant data and information that may impact 
these 19 TMDLs. If such data and information is submitted during the 
public comment period, EPA may determine it is necessary to revise any 
one, or some of the 19 TMDLs. After consideration of data and 
information submitted during the public comment period, and making any 
appropriate revisions, EPA will forward the TMDLs

[[Page 19764]]

to the Court and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality 
(LDEQ). LDEQ will incorporate the TMDLs into its current water quality 
management plan.
    Through this notice, EPA is also making available for comment EPA's 
February 25, 2000 determination that TMDLs are not needed for 46 
waterbody/pollutant combinations in the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche 
river basins and 2 in the Pearl River basin.
    In response to the Court's October 1, 1999 Order, EPA on October 
28, 1999 disapproved Louisiana's 1998 CWA section 303(d) list and, on 
November 1, 1999, submitted to the Court a Court Ordered CWA section 
303(d) list and administrative record. EPA made the Court Ordered List 
available for public comment on November 29, 1999 (64 FR 66635). After 
review of water quality data and monitoring information and public 
comments, EPA issued a Modified Court Ordered CWA section 303(d) list 
on February 25, 2000. As part of that decision, EPA determined that 46 
waterbody/pollutant combinations in the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche 
basins and 2 in the Pearl River basin should be removed from the Court 
Ordered CWA section 303(d) list. The rationale for the determinations 
is set out in the Decision Document for the Modified Court Ordered 
Sec. 303(d) List and further explained in Appendix E of that document 
and provided as follows:

 
 
 
050101 Bayou Des Cannes--Headwaters to Mermentau
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             Water Quality Standards
                                             (WQS).
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
050201 Bayou Plaquemine Brule--Headwaters to Bayou Des Cannes
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Phosphorus............................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Turbidity.............................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
050301 Bayou Nezpique--Headwaters to Mermentau
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
050401 Mermentau River -- Origin to Lake Arthur
    Phosphorus............................  Assessment of data shows it
                                             is meeting WQS.
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Mercury...............................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Suspended Solids......................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
050501 Bayou Queue de Tortue--Headwaters to Mermentau
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
050601 Lacassine Bayou--Headwaters to Intracoastal Waterway
    Phosphorus............................  Assessment of data shows it
                                             is meeting WQS.
    Suspended Solids......................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Turbidity.............................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
050703 White Lake
    Siltation.............................  Assessment of data and
                                             information shows it is
                                             meeting WQS.
    Turbidity.............................  Assessment of data and
                                             information shows it is
                                             meeting WQS.
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
050801 Mermentau River--Catfish Point Control Structure to Gulf of
 Mexico (Estuarine)
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
060101 Spring Creek--Headwaters to Cocodrie Lake
    Siltation.............................  Assessment of data shows it
                                             is meeting WQS.
    Turbidity.............................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Cadmium...............................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Mercury...............................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
060102 Cocodrie Lake
    Cadmium...............................  Original basis for listing
                                             determined to be
                                             inaccurate.
    Copper................................  Original basis for listing
                                             determined to be
                                             inaccurate.
    Lead..................................  Original basis for listing
                                             determined to be
                                             inaccurate.
060201 Bayou Cocodrie from US Highway 167 to the Boeuf-Cocodrie
 Diversion Canal
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
060203 Chicot Lake
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
060204 Bayou Courtableau--Origin to West Atchafalaya Borrow Pit Canal
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
060205 Bayou Teche--Headwaters at Bayou Courtableau to I-10
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
060401 Bayou Teche--Keystone Locks & Dam to Charenton Canal
    Phosphorus............................  Assessment of data shows it
                                             is meeting WQS.
060501 Bayou Teche--Charenton Canal to Wax Lake Outlet
    Phosphorus............................  Assessment of data shows it
                                             is meeting WQS.
060702 Lake Fausse Point and Dauterive Lake
    Phosphorus............................  Assessment of data shows it
                                             is meeting WQS.
060801 Vermilion River--Headwaters at Bayou Fusilier-Bourbeaux Junction
 to New Flanders (Ambassador Caffery Bridge)
    Phosphorus............................  Assessment of data shows it
                                             is meeting WQS.
    Cadmium...............................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
060802 Vermilion River from New Flanders (Ambassador Caffery Bridge) New
 Bridge, LA Hwy 3073 to Intracoastal Waterway
    Phosphorus............................  Assessment of data shows it
                                             is meeting WQS.
    Lead..................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
060902 Bayou Carlin (Delcambre Canal) Lake Peigneur to Bayou Petite Anse
 (Estuarine)
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
061104 Vermilion Bay
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
090101 Pearl River
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
090202 West Pearl River
    Copper................................  New data shows it is meeting
                                             WQS.
110507 Bayou Anacoco
    Dioxin................................  Original basis for listing
                                             determined to be
                                             inaccurate, dioxin included
                                             with priority organics
                                             listing.
 

    EPA request the public to provide any significant data or 
information warranting revision of EPA's decision to remove these 48 
waterbody/pollutant combinations. If such data or information is 
submitted during the public comment period, EPA may revise the Modified 
Court Ordered List accordingly. EPA is not requesting comment on any 
other aspect of its February 25, 2000, decision on the Modified Court 
Ordered CWA section 303(d) list.

    Dated: March 25, 2000.
Oscar Ramirez, Jr.,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 00-9093 Filed 4-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P