[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 71409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27029]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7846-5]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Total Maximum 
Daily Loads. (TMDL)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability for comment of the 
administrative record files for 9 TMDLs and the calculations for these 
TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the Atchafalaya 
River, Barataria, Calcasieu River, Lake Pontchartrain, Mermentau River, 
Vermilion-Teche River, Mississippi River, Sabine River, and Terrebonne 
Basins of Louisiana, under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). 
These TMDLs were completed in response to a court order in the lawsuit 
styled Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford, et al., No. 96-0527, (E.D. 
La.).

DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before 
January 10, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the 9 TMDLs should be sent to Linda Adams, 
Environmental Scientist, Water Quality Protection Division, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 
75202-2733 or email: [email protected]. For further information, 
contact Linda Adams at (214) 665-6546 or fax (214) 665-2191. The 
administrative record files for the 9 TMDLs are available for public 
inspection at this address as well. Documents from the administrative 
record files may be viewed at www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm, or 
obtained by calling or writing Ms. Adams at the above address. Please 
contact Ms. Adams to schedule an inspection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Adams at (214) 665-6546.

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 proposes these TMDLs pursuant to a 
consent decree entered in this lawsuit.

EPA Seeks Comment on 9 TMDLs

    By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 9 TMDLs for 
waters located within Louisiana basins:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Subsegment                Waterbody Name         Pollutant
------------------------------------------------------------------------
010901.........................  Atchafalaya Bay and     Mercury.
                                  Delta and Gulf Waters
                                  to the State 3-mile
                                  Limit.
021102.........................  Barataria Basin         Mercury.
                                  Coastal Bays and Gulf
                                  Waters to the State 3-
                                  mile Limit.
031201.........................  Calcasieu River Basin   Mercury.
                                  Coastal Bays and Gulf
                                  Waters to the State 3-
                                  mile Limit.
042209.........................  Lake Pontchartrain      Mercury.
                                  Basin Coastal Bays
                                  and Gulf Waters to
                                  the State 3-mile
                                  Limit.
050901.........................  Mermentau River Basin   Mercury.
                                  Coastal Bays and Gulf
                                  Waters to the State 3-
                                  mile Limit.
061201.........................  Vermilion-Teche River   Mercury.
                                  Basin Coastal Bays
                                  and Gulf Waters to
                                  the State 3-mile
                                  Limit.
070601.........................  Mississippi River       Mercury.
                                  Basin Coastal Bays
                                  and Gulf Waters to
                                  the State 3-mile
                                  Limit.
110701.........................  Sabine River Basin      Mercury.
                                  Coastal Bays and Gulf
                                  Waters to the State 3-
                                  mile Limit.
120806.........................  Terrebonne Basin        Mercury.
                                  Coastal Bays and Gulf
                                  Waters to the State 3-
                                  mile Limit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality 
related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations 
for the 9 TMDLs. EPA will review all data and information submitted 
during the public comment period and revise the TMDLs where 
appropriate. EPA will then forward the TMDLs to the Louisiana 
Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). The LDEQ will incorporate 
the TMDLs into its current water quality management plan.

    Dated: December 2, 2004.
James R. Brown,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 04-27029 Filed 12-8-04; 8:45 am]
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