[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 31 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6922-6925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3659]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7145-2]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Proposed 
Determinations That Total Maximum Daily Loads (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 EPA 
determinations that TMDLs are not needed for one hundred fifty 
waterbody/pollutant combinations in the Calcasieu and Ouachita River 
Basins because new data and information show that water quality 
standards (WQS) are currently being met. This proposed action would 
result in the removal of

[[Page 6923]]

one hundred fifty waterbody/pollutant combinations from the Louisiana 
303(d) list.

DATES: Comments on the proposed determinations that TMDLs are not 
needed must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before March 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed determinations 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. Documents supporting the 
determinations that the TMDLs are not needed are available for public 
inspection at this address as well. Documents supporting the 
determinations that TMDLs are not needed also 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 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. Discussion of the court's order may be found 
at 65 FR 54032 (September 6, 2000).
    EPA Seeks Comments on Proposed Determinations That One Hundred 
Fifty TMDLs for Waterbody/Pollutant Combinations are not Needed based 
on the assessment of new data and information that show the TMDLs are 
currently meeting WQS:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Subsegment                     Waterbody name                                Pollutant
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
030103....................  Calcasieu--Rapides-Allen Parish line  Cadmium.
                             to confluence with Marsh Bayou
                             (Scenic).
030201....................  Calcasieu River--Confluence with      Cadmium.
                             Marsh Bayou to Salt-water Barrier.
030801....................  West Fork Calcasieu River--From       Cadmium.
                             confluence of Beckwith Creek and
                             Hickory Branch to Calcasieu River.
030103....................  Calcasieu River--Rapides-Allen        Copper.
                             Parish line to confluence with
                             Marsh Bayou (Scenic).
030201....................  Calcasieu River--Confluence with      Copper.
                             Marsh Bayou to Salt-water Barrier.
030801....................  West Fork Calcasieu River--From       Copper.
                             confluence of Beckwith Creek and
                             Hickory Branch to Calcasieu River.
030702....................  English Bayou--Headwaters to          Lead.
                             Calcasieu River.
030801....................  West Fork Calcasieu River--From       Lead.
                             confluence of Beckwith Creek and
                             Hickory Branch to Calcasieu River.
030702....................  English Bayou--Headwaters to          Mercury.
                             Calcasieu River.
030306....................  Bayou Verdine (Estuarine)...........  Oil & grease.
030901....................  Bayou D'Inde--Headwaters to           Oil & grease.
                             Calcasieu River (Estuarine).
030301....................  Calcasieu River and Ship Channel--    Pathogen indicators.
                             Salt-water Barrier to below Moss
                             Lake (Estuarine, includes Coon
                             Island and Clooney Island Loops).
030302....................  Lake Charles (Estuarine)............  Pathogen indicators.
030401....................  Calcasieu River--Calcasieu Ship       Pathogen indicators.
                             Channel below Moss Lake to the Gulf
                             of Mexico (Estuarine, includes
                             Monkey Island Loop).
030402....................  Calcasieu Lake (Estuarine)..........  Pathogen indicators.
030901....................  Bayou D'Inde--Headwaters to           Pathogen indicators.
                             Calcasieu River (Estuarine).
030201....................  Calcasieu River--Confluence with      Suspended solids.
                             Marsh Bayou to Salt-water Barrier.
030103....................  Calcasieu River--Rapides-Allen        Suspended solids.
                             Parish line to confluence with
                             Marsh Bayou (Scenic).
030201....................  Calcasieu River--Confluence with      Turbidity.
                             Marsh Bayou to Salt-water Barrier.
030103....................  Calcasieu River--Rapides-Allen        Turbidity.
                             Parish line to confluence with
                             Marsh Bayou (Scenic).
080301....................  Black River--Jonesville to Corps of   Cadmium.
                             Engineers Control Structure (at
                             mile 25, Serena).
081501....................  Castor Creek--Headwaters to Little    Cadmium.
                             River.
081401....................  Dugdemona River--Headwaters to        Cadmium.
                             junction with Big Creek.
081601....................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Cadmium.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Bear Creek (Scenic).
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Cadmium.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
080101....................  Ouachita River--Arkansas State Line   Cadmium.
                             to Columbia Lock and Dam (Scenic
                             from the Arkansas state line to
                             intersection with Bayou
                             Bartholomew--22 miles).
080501....................  Bayou de L'Outre--Arkansas State      Chlorides.
                             Line to Ouachita River (Scenic).
081611....................  Bayou Funny Louis...................  Chlorides.
080903....................  Big Creek--Headwaters to Boeuf River  Chlorides.
                             (including Big Colewa Bayou).
080901....................  Boeuf River--Arkansas State Line to   Chlorides.
                             Ouachita River.
081603....................  Catahoula Lake......................  Chlorides.
080609....................  Corney Bayou--From Corney Lake to     Chlorides.
                             Bayou D'Arbonne Lake (Scenic).
081402....................  Dugdemona River--From Big Creek to    Chlorides.
                             Little River.
081601....................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Chlorides.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Bear Creek (Scenic).
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Chlorides.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
080610....................  Middle Fork of Bayou D'Arbonne--From  Chlorides.
                             origin to Bayou D'Arbonne Lake
                             (Scenic).
081201....................  Tensas River--Headwaters to           Chlorides.
                             Jonesville (including Tensas Bayou).
080301....................  Black River--Jonesville to Corps of   Copper.
                             Engineers Control Structure (at
                             mile 25, Serena).
081501....................  Castor Creek--Headwaters to Little    Copper.
                             River.
081604....................  Catahoula Lake Diversion Canal--      Copper.
                             Catahoula Lake to Black River.
081402....................  Dugdemona River--From Big Creek to    Copper.
                             Little River.
081401....................  Dugdemona River--Headwaters to        Copper.
                             junction with Big Creek.
081601....................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Copper.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Beart Creek (Scenic).
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Copper.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).

[[Page 6924]]

 
080101....................  Ouachita River--Arkansas State Line   Copper.
                             to Columbia Lock and Dam (Scenic
                             from the Arkansas state line to
                             intersection with Bayou
                             Bartholomew--22 miles).
080201....................  Ouachita River--Columbia Lock and     Copper.
                             Dam to Joneville.
080101....................  Ouachita River--Arkansas State Line   Dioxins, priority organics.
                             to Columbia Lock and Dam (Scenic
                             from the Arkansas state line to
                             intersection with Bayou
                             Bartholomew--22 miles).
080401....................  Bayou Bartholomew--Arkansas State     Lead.
                             Line to Dead Bayou (Lake
                             Bartholomew Scenic).
080605....................  Bayou D'Arbonne--From Bayou           Lead.
                             D'Arbonne Lake to Ouachita River
                             (Scenic).
080603....................  Bayou D'Arbonne--From Lake Claiborne  Lead.
                             to Bayou D'Arbonne Lake.
080604....................  Bayou D'Arbonne Lake................  Lead.
080501....................  Bayou de L'Outre--Arkansas State      Lead
                             Line to Ouachita River (Scenic).
081503....................  Beaucoup Creek--Headwaters to Castor  Lead.
                             Creek.
080301....................  Black River--Jonesville to Corps of   Lead.
                             Engineers Control Structure (at
                             mile 25, Serena).
081501....................  Castor Creek--Headwaters to Little    Lead.
                             River.
081604....................  Catahoula Lake Diversion Canal--      Lead.
                             Catahoula Lake to Black River.
080609....................  Corney Bayou--From Corney Lake to     Lead.
                             Bayou D'Arbonne Lake (Scenic).
081402....................  Dugdemona River--From Big Creek to    Lead.
                             Little River.
081401....................  Dugdemona River--Headwaters to        Lead.
                             junction with Big Creek.
081601....................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Lead.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Bear Creek (Scenic).
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Lead.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
080610....................  Middle Fork of Bayou D'Arbonne--From  Lead.
                             origin to Bayou D'Arbonne Lake
                             (Scenic).
080101....................  Ouachita River--Arkansas State Line   Lead.
                             to Columbia Lock and Dam (Scenic
                             from the Arkansas state line to
                             intersection with Bayou
                             Bartholomew--22 miles).
080201....................  Ouachita River--Columbia Lock and     Lead.
                             Dam to Jonesville.
081201....................  Tensas River--Headwaters to           Lead.
                             Jonesville (including Tensas Bayou).
080605....................  Bayou D'Arbonne--From Bayou           Mercury.
                             D'Arbonne Lake to Ouachita River
                             (Scenic).
080501....................  Bayou de L'Outre--Arkansas State      Mercury.
                             Line to Ouachita River (Scenic).
080904....................  Bayou Lafourche--Near Oakridge to     Mercury.
                             Boeuf River near Columbia.
080301....................  Black River--Jonesville to Corps of   Mercury.
                             Engineers Control Structure (at
                             mile 25, Serena).
080901....................  Boeuf River--Arkansas State Line to   Mercury.
                             Ouachita River.
081501....................  Castor Creek--Headwaters to Little    Mercury.
                             River.
081402....................  Dugdemona River--From Big Creek to    Mercury.
                             Little River.
081401....................  Dugdemona River--Headwaters to        Mercury.
                             junction with Big Creek.
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Mercury.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
080201....................  Ouachita River--Columbia Lock and     Mercury.
                             Dam to Jonesville.
081401....................  Dugdemona River--Headwaters to        Non-priority organics.
                             junction with Big Creek.
081601....................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Non-priority organics.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Bear Creek (Scenic).
 081203...................  Lake Bruin (Oxbow Lake).............  Nutrients.
 081501...................  Castor Creek--Headwaters to Little    Oil & grease.
                             River.
 081601...................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Oil & grease.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Bear Creek (Scenic).
 081602...................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Oil & grease.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
 081611...................  Bayou Funny Louis...................  Oil & grease.
 081603...................  Catahoula Lake......................  Oil & grease.
 081001...................  Bayou Macon--Arkansas State Line to   Organic enrichment/Low DO.
                             Tensas River.
 081203...................  Lake Bruin (Oxbow Lake).............  Organic enrichment/Low DO.
 080401...................  Bayou Bartholomew--Arkansas State     Other inorganics.
                             Line to Dead Bayou (Lake
                             Bartholomew Scenic).
 080603...................  Bayou D'Arbonne--From Lake Claiborne  Other inorganics.
                             to Bayou D'Arbonne Lake.
 081201...................  Tensas River--Headwaters to           Other inorganics.
                             Jonesville (including Tensas Bayou).
 080905...................  Turkey Creek--Headwaters to Turkey    Other inorganics.
                             Creek Cutoff and Turkey Creek
                             Cutoff to Big Creek including Glade
                             Slough.
 080401...................  Bayou Bartholomew--Arkansas State     Pathogen indicators.
                             Line to Dead Bayou (Lake
                             Bartholomew Scenic).
 080904...................  Bayou Lafourche--Near Oakridge to     Pathogen indicators.
                             Boeuf River near Columbia.
 081501...................  Castor Creek--Headwaters to Little    Pathogen indicators.
                             River.
 081609...................  Hemphill Creek--Headwaters to         Pathogen indicators.
                             Catahoula Lake (includes Hair
                             Creek).
 080902...................  Bayou Bonne Idee--Headwaters to       Pesticides.
                             Boeuf River.
 080301...................  Black River--Jonesville to Corps of   Pesticides.
                             Engineers Control Structure (at
                             mile 25, Serena).
 080302...................  Black River--Corps of Engineer        Pesticides.
                             Control Structure to Red River.
 080910...................  Clear Lake..........................  Pesticides.
 080909...................  Crew Lake...........................  Pesticides.
 081202...................  Lake St. Joseph (Oxbow Lake)........  Pesticides.
 080101...................  Ouachita River--Arkansas State Line   Pesticides.
                             to Columbia Lock and Dam (Scenic
                             from the Arkansas state line to
                             intersection with Bayou
                             Bartholomew--22 miles).
 080201...................  Ouachita River--Columbia Lock and     Pesticides.
                             Dam to Jonesville.
 080905...................  Turkey Creek--Headwaters to Turkey    Pesticides.
                             Creek Cutoff and Turkey Creek
                             Cutoff to Big Creek including Glade
                             Slough.
 080401...................  Bayou Bartholomew--Arkansas State     Pesticides.
                             Line to Dead Bayou (Lake
                             Bartholomew Scenic).
 080904...................  Bayou Lafourche--Near Oakridge to     Pesticides.
                             Boeuf River near Columbia.
 080202...................  Bayou Louis.........................  Pesticides.
 081203...................  Lake Bruin (Oxbow Lake).............  Pesticides.
 080102...................  Bayou Chauvin.......................  pH.
 080501...................  Bayou de L'Outre--Arkansas State      Salinity/TDS.
                             Line to Ouachita River (Scenic).
 080903...................  Big Creek--Headwaters to Boeuf River  Salinity/TDS.
                             (including Big Colewa Bayou).

[[Page 6925]]

 
 081603...................  Catahoula Lake......................  Salinity/TDS.
080609....................  Corney Bayou--From Corney Lake to     Salinity/TDS.
                             D'Arbonne Lake.
081402....................  Dugdemona River--From Big Creek to    Salinity/TDS.
                             Little River.
081601....................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Salinity/TDS.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Bear Creek (Scenic).
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Salinity/TDS.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
080610....................  Middle Fork of Bayou D'Arbonne--From  Salinity/TDS.
                             origin to Bayou D'Arbonne Lake
                             (Scenic).
081201....................  Tensas River--Headwaters to           Salinity/TDS.
                             Jonesville (including Tensas Bayou).
080901....................  Boeuf River--Arkansas State Line to   Salinity/TDS.
                             Ouachita River.
081611....................  Bayou Funny Louis...................  Salinity/TDS.
080302....................  Black River--Corps of Engineers       Siltation.
                             Control Structure to Red River.
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Siltation.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
080201....................  Ouachita River--Columbia Lock and     Siltation.
                             Dam to Jonesville.
080501....................  Bayou de L'Outre--Arkansas State      Sulfates.
                             Line to Ouachita River (Scenic).
081611....................  Bayou Funny Louis...................  Sulfates.
080903....................  Big Creek--Headwaters to Boeuf River  Sulfates.
                             (including Big Colewa Bayou).
080901....................  Boeuf River--Arkansas State Line to   Sulfates.
                             Ouachita River.
081501....................  Castor Creek--Headwaters to Little    Sulfates.
                             River.
081603....................  Catahoula Lake......................  Sulfates.
080609....................  Corney Bayou--From Corney Lake to     Sulfates.
                             Bayou D'Arbonne Lake (Scenic).
081402....................  Dugdemona River--From Big Creek to    Sulfates.
                             Little River.
081601....................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Sulfates.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Bear Creek (Scenic).
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Sulfates.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
080610....................  Middle Fork of Bayou D'Arbonne--From  Sulfates.
                             origin to Bayou D'Arbonne Lake
                             (Scenic).
081201....................  Tensas River--Headwaters to           Sulfates.
                             Jonesville (including Tensas Bayou).
080401....................  Bayou Bartholomew--Arkansas State     Suspended solids.
                             Line to Dead Bayou (Lake
                             Bartholomew Scenic).
080902....................  Bayou Bonne Idee--Headwaters to       Suspended solids.
                             Boeuf River.
080605....................  Bayou D'Arbonne--From Bayou           Suspended solids.
                             D'Arbonne Lake to Ouachita River
                             (Scenic).
080603....................  Bayou D'Arbonne--From Lake Claiborne  Suspended solids.
                             to Bayou D'Arbonne Lake.
081501....................  Castor Creek--Headwaters to Little    Suspended solids.
                             River.
080609....................  Corney Bayou--From Corney Lake to     Suspended solids.
                             Bayou D'Arbonne Lake (Scenic).
080905....................  Turkey Creek--Headwaters to Turkey    Suspended solids.
                             Creek Cutoff and Turkey Creek
                             Cutoff to Big Creek including Glade
                             Slough.
080101....................  Ouachita River--Arkansas State Line   Suspended solids.
                             to Columbia Lock and Dam (Scenic
                             from the Arkansas state line to
                             intersection with Bayou
                             Bartholomew--22 miles).
081402....................  Dugdemona River--From Big Creek to    Turbidity.
                             Little Creek.
081601....................  Little River--Confluence of Castor    Turbidity.
                             Creek and Dugdemona River to
                             junction with Bear Creek (Scenic).
081602....................  Little River--From Bear Creek to      Turbidity.
                             Catahoula Lake (Scenic).
080905....................  Turkey Creek--Headwaters to Turkey    Turbidity.
                             Creek Cutoff and Turkey Creek
                             Cutoff to Big Creek including Glade
                             Slough.
080401....................  Bayou Bartholomew--Arkansas State     Turbidity.
                             Line to Dead Bayou (Lake
                             Bartholomew Scenic).
081611....................  Bayou Funny Louis...................  Turbidity.
080610....................  Middle Fork of Bayou D'Arbonne--      Turbidity.
                             From origin to Bayou D'Arbonne Lake
                             (Scenic).
080101....................  Ouachita River--Arkansas State Line   Turbidity.
                             to Columbia Lock and Dam (Scenic
                             from the Arkansas state line to
                             intersection with Bayou
                             Bartholomew--22 miles).
080301....................  Black River--Jonesville to Corps of   Unknown toxicity.
                             Engineers Control Structure (at
                             mile 25, Serena).
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    EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality 
related data and information that may be relevant to these proposed 
determinations that TMDLs are not needed. EPA will review all data and 
information submitted during the public comment period and revise the 
determinations where appropriate.

    Dated: February 5, 2002.
Oscar Ramirez, Jr.,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 02-3659 Filed 2-13-02; 8:45 am]
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