[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13310-13311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6575]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7469-8]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of List Decisions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA decisions 
identifying water quality limited segments and associated pollutants in 
Arkansas to be listed pursuant to Clean Water Act section 303(d), and 
requests public comment. Section 303(d) 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.
    On March 10, 2003, EPA partially approved and partially disapproved

[[Page 13311]]

Arkansas' submittal. Specifically, EPA approved Arkansas' listing of 76 
waters, associated pollutants, and associated priority rankings. EPA 
disapproved Arkansas' decisions not to list 52 water quality limited 
segments and associated pollutants. EPA identified these additional 
water bodies and pollutants along with priority rankings for inclusion 
on the 2002 section 303(d) list.
    EPA is providing the public the opportunity to review its decisions 
to add waters and pollutants to Arkansas' 2002 section 303(d) list, as 
required by EPA's Public Participation regulations (40 CFR part 25). 
EPA will consider public comments in reaching its final decisions on 
the additional water bodies and pollutants identified for inclusion on 
Arkansas' final list.

DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before April 
18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the decisions 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, telephone (214) 665-7513, facsimile (214) 665-6490, or 
email: [email protected]. Oral comments will not be considered. 
Copies of the documents which explain the rationale for EPA's decisions 
and a list of the 52 water quality limited segments for which EPA 
disapproved Arkansas' decision not to list can be obtained at EPA 
Region 6's Web site at www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6wq/artmdl.htm, or by 
writing or calling Ms. Caldwell at the above address. Underlying 
documents from the record for these decisions are available for public 
inspection at the above address. Please contact Ms. Caldwell to 
schedule an inspection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Caldwell at (214) 665-7513.

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 list 
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, Arkansas submitted to EPA its 
listing decisions under section 303(d) on September 5, 2002. On March 
10, 2003, EPA approved Arkansas' listing of 76 waters and associated 
priority rankings. EPA disapproved Arkansas' decisions not to list 52 
water quality limited segments and associated pollutants. EPA 
identified these additional waters and pollutants along with priority 
rankings for inclusion on the 2002 section 303(d) list. EPA solicits 
public comment on its identification of 52 additional waters and 
associated pollutants for inclusion on Arkansas' 2002 section 303(d) 
list.

    Dated: March 10, 2003.
Miguel I Flores,
Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 03-6575 Filed 3-18-03; 8:45 am]
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