[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 236 (Monday, December 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 74485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28981]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8748-6]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Los Cerritos 
Channel Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action announces the availability of EPA proposed total 
maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the freshwater portion of Los Cerritos 
Channel to address elevated metals concentrations pursuant to Clean 
Water Act section 303(d)(1), and requests public comment. Section 
303(d)(1) requires that states submit water quality planning documents 
called total maximum daily loads for impaired waters for which existing 
technology-based pollution controls are not stringent enough to attain 
or maintain state water quality standards. EPA must approve or 
disapprove the State's submitted TMDLs.
    EPA is providing the public the opportunity to review proposed 
TMDLs for Los Cerritos Channel metals. EPA is establishing these TMDLs 
in lieu of California because of deadlines associated with the consent 
decree described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. EPA will prepare a 
responsiveness summary that demonstrates how public comments were 
considered in the final TMDL decisions. The responsiveness document 
will be available when the TMDLs are established.

DATES: Comments must be submitted to EPA on or before January 22, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed decisions should be sent to Karen 
Irwin, Water Division (WTR-2), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, telephone 
(415) 947-4116, facsimile (415) 947-3537, email [email protected]. 
Oral comments will not be considered. Copies of the proposed TMDLs for 
Los Cerritos Channel will be available on EPA Region 9's Web site at 
http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/tmdl/303d.html or by writing or 
calling Karen Irwin. Underlying documentation comprising the record for 
these TMDLs is available for public inspection at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Irwin at (415) 947-4116 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act 
requires states to identify water bodies that do not meet water quality 
standards and then to establish TMDLs for each water body for each 
pollutant of concern. TMDLs identify the maximum amount of pollutants 
that can be discharged to water bodies without causing violations of 
water quality standards. Los Cerritos Channel is included on the State 
of California's section 303(d) list of polluted waters due to water 
quality impacts associated with discharges of metals. EPA will 
establish TMDLs for metals in Los Cerritos Channel by March 2012 
because of deadlines under a consent decree (Heal the Bay Inc., et al. 
v. Browner C 98-4825 SBA, entered March 24, 1999).

    Dated: November 28, 2008.
Alexis Strauss,
Director, Water Division, Region IX.
 [FR Doc. E8-28981 Filed 12-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P