[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 71 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 19760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7507]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7899-7]


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 6 TMDLs and the calculations for these 
TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the Atchafalaya 
River, Barataria, Lake Pontchartrain, 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.). EPA originally proposed draft TMDLs for these 
segments on December 2, 2004. EPA has decided to withdraw the December 
2, 2004, draft TMDLs, and now proposes new draft TMDLs for these 
segments. Thus, EPA is not responding to those comments on the December 
2, 2004, proposed draft TMDLs. EPA will be responding to comments on 
the new proposed draft TMDLs available herein after public notice.

DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before May 
16, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the 6 TMDLs should be sent to Diane Smith, 
Environmental Protection Specialist, Water Quality Protection Division, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, 
TX 75202-2733, or by email to the following address: 
[email protected]. For further information, contact Diane Smith at 
(214) 665-2145 or fax (214) 665-7373. TMDL documents from the 
administrative record files may be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm, or obtained by calling, writing or emailing Ms. 
Smith at the above addresses. The administrative record files for the 6 
TMDLs are available for public inspection at the above address as well. 
Please contact Ms. Smith to schedule an inspection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Smith at (214) 665-2145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1996, two Louisiana environmental groups, 
the Sierra Club and Louisiana Environmental Action Network 
(plaintiffs), filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against 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 6 TMDLs

    By this notice, EPA is seeking comment on the following 6 TMDLs for 
waters located within Louisiana basins:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Subsegment                Waterbody name         Pollutant
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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.
042209.........................  Lake Pontchartrain      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 6 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). LDEQ will incorporate the 
TMDLs into its current water quality management plan.

    Dated: April 7, 2005.
Miguel I. Flores,
Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 05-7507 Filed 4-13-05; 8:45 am]
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