[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20388-20389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10270]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7488-6]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Final Agency Action on 12 
Modified Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces final agency action modifying 12 
established TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in 
Louisiana's Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche river basins, under section 
303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The EPA evaluated these waters and 
prepared the 12 TMDLs in response to a consent decree entered in the 
lawsuit Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford et al., No. 96-0527, (E.D. 
La.). Documents from the administrative record files for the 12 
modified TMDLs, including TMDL calculations and responses to comments, 
may be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm.

ADDRESSES: The administrative record files may be obtained by writing 
or calling Ms. Ellen Caldwell, Environmental Protection Specialist, 
Water Quality Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202-2733. 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.

EPA Takes Final Agency Action on 12 Modified TMDLs

    By this notice EPA is taking final agency action modifying the 
following 12 TMDLs for waters located within the Mermentau and 
Vermilion/Teche river basins:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Subsegment               Waterbody name         Pollutant
------------------------------------------------------------------------
050102..........................  Bayou Joe Marcel..  Pathogen
                                                       indicators
060204..........................  Bayou Courtableau-- Pathogen
                                   Origin to West      indicators
                                   Atchafalaya
                                   Borrow Pit Canal.
060212..........................  Chatlin Lake Canal  Pathogen
                                   and Bayou Dulac.    indicators
060701..........................  Tete Bayou........  Pathogen
                                                       indicators
060703..........................  Bayou Portage.....  Pathogen
                                                       indicators
060901..........................  Bayou Petite Anse.  Pathogen
                                                       indicators
060909..........................  Lake Peigneur.....  Pathogen
                                                       indicators
060911..........................  Dugas Canal.......  Pathogen
                                                       indicators
060204..........................  Bayou Courtableau-- Sulfates
                                   Origin to West
                                   Atchafalaya
                                   Borrow Pit Canal.
050201..........................  Bayou Plaquemine    TDS
                                   Brule--Headwaters
                                   to Bayou Des
                                   Cannes.
050501..........................  Bayou Queue de      TDS
                                   Tortue--Headwater
                                   s to Mermentau
                                   River.

[[Page 20389]]

 
060208..........................  Bayou Boeuf--       TDS
                                   Headwaters to
                                   Bayou Courtableau.
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    EPA requested the public to provide EPA with any significant data 
or information that may impact the 12 modified TMDLs in 67 FR 77257 
(December 17, 2002). The comments received and EPA's response to 
comments may be found at http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm.

    Dated: April 17, 2003.
Miguel I. Flores,
Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 03-10270 Filed 4-24-03; 8:45 am]
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