[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2860-2861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-829]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9104-4]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Call for Data for the Illinois 
River Watershed in Oklahoma and Arkansas

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Request for data.

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

SUMMARY: EPA Region 6 is developing a watershed model for the Illinois 
River watershed in Oklahoma and Arkansas to address nutrient water 
quality impairments. The results of this watershed model may be used to 
develop one or more total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the Illinois 
River Watershed. EPA requests that the public provide any water quality 
related data and information that may be relevant to the development of 
the Illinois River Watershed model and TMDL by March 3, 2010. In 
addition, EPA requests that all data submissions include the quality 
assurance and quality control documentation. All data submissions 
should be provided in an electronic format, if possible. EPA will 
review all data and information submitted and will consider them in the 
development of the model and TMDL, as appropriate.

DATES: Data and Information must be submitted in writing to EPA on or 
before March 3, 2010. If you anticipate that you will be providing data 
and information, but find it difficult to do so within the period of 
time allowed, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as 
possible.

ADDRESSES: You may submit data and Information to EPA Region 6 by e-
mail or U.S. post mail. To submit your data and information by e-mail, 
send them to [email protected]. To submit your data and information 
by U.S. mail, mark them to the attention of Diane Smith, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Water Quality Division, (6WQ), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, 
Texas 75202-2733.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Smith, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Water Quality Protection Division, U.S. EPA Region 6, 1445 
Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202-2733, (214) 665-2145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Illinois River is a tributary of the 
Arkansas River, approximately 100 mi (160 km) long, between the States 
of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Illinois River rises in the Ozark 
Mountains in the northwest corner of Arkansas (Washington County) and 
flows west into northeast Oklahoma. The Oklahoma portion of the 
Illinois River is currently designated as a scenic river. In addition, 
several segments of the Illinois River are on the State of Oklahoma's 
303(d) list (impaired waters list) for total phosphorus, while the 
main-stem Illinois River in Arkansas is not listed for total 
phosphorus. However, several tributaries (e.g., Osage Creek, Muddy 
Fork, and Spring Creek) to the Illinois River in Arkansas are currently 
on the Arkansas 303(d) list for total

[[Page 2861]]

phosphorus. The purpose of this project is to develop a scientifically 
robust watershed model to determine the reductions in phosphorus loads 
that are needed to meet water quality standards in both States. This 
watershed model will serve as a tool to effectively identify nutrient 
reductions needed to ensure that water quality standards for phosphorus 
are protected in both States; and, to devise varying allocation and 
load reductions scenarios needed to guide appropriate point and non-
point source controls.
    Specifically, EPA is soliciting technical information on 
measurements of nutrients and related constituents in surface waters, 
and all associated information needed to support development of the 
Illinois River Watershed model and one or more planned TMDLs. Examples 
of data requested include:
    1. Monitoring data of nutrients, sediment, flow, water temperature, 
dissolved oxygen and organics (oxygen demand) for any locations within 
the Illinois River watershed, including the main-stem, its tributaries 
and other water-bodies.
    2. Watershed land use/land cover characteristics, including 
topography, hydrography, drainage patterns, soils, cropping patterns, 
and other potential nutrient sources. GIS (geographic information 
system) coverage is preferred for this type of spatial data.
    3. Precipitation and meteorological data, including evaporation, 
air temperature, wind movement, solar radiation, dew-point temperature, 
and cloud cover. Daily data for the 1980-2010 time periods is needed. 
Precipitation data at shorter time intervals, (e.g., hourly or 15-
minute) is needed for some locations to provide adequate coverage and 
definition of rainfall patterns across the watershed.
    4. Hydrography and geomorphological data for channels and major 
water-bodies, including channel lengths and slopes, cross-sections and 
geometry, bed composition (sediment particle sizes, nutrients), stage/
storage/surface area information, etc. Prior flood insurance and 
associated modeling studies would be useful.
    5. Other nutrient source information and/or water quality 
assessments specifically addressing wastewater discharges, agricultural 
water diversions and/or agricultural return flows, water supply intake 
structures, and information regarding the distribution, population and 
locations of feedlots, pastures, cattle and poultry houses.
    6. Prior investigations and modeling studies that analyze 
monitoring data, describe agronomic and poultry practices, estimate 
nonpoint source loading rates for nutrients by source category, assess 
water quality impacts and/or biotic endpoints for any sites within the 
watershed.

    Dated: January 11, 2010.
Troy C. Hill,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2010-829 Filed 1-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P