[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 76161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31250]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9500-1]


Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Three Total 
Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) in Louisiana

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability for comment on the 
administrative record files and the calculations of three TMDLs 
prepared by EPA Region 6. This notice covers waters in the State of 
Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain Basin that were identified as impaired 
on the States Section 303(d) list. 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 20, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the three 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 email: [email protected]. For further information, 
contact Diane Smith at (214) 665-2145 or fax (214)-665-7373. The 
administrative record files for the three TMDLs are available for 
public inspection at this address as well. Documents from the 
administrative record files may be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6wq/npdes/tmdl/index.htm, or obtained by calling or writing 
Ms. Smith at the above address. 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 the EPA, styled 
Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford, et al., No. 96-0527, (E.D. La.). Among 
other claims, plaintiffs alleged that the EPA failed to establish 
Louisiana TMDLs in a timely manner. The EPA proposes these three TMDLs 
pursuant to a consent decree entered in this lawsuit.

EPA Seeks Comment on Three TMDLs

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Subsegment                 Waterbody name          Pollutant
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040505......................  Ponchatoula Creek and      Dissolved
                               Ponchatoula River.         oxygen.
041201......................  Bayou Labranche--          Dissolved
                               Headwaters to Lake         oxygen.
                               Pontchartrain (Scenic)
                               (Estuarine).
041805......................  Lake Borgne Canal (Violet  Dissolved
                               Canal)--MS River siphon    oxygen.
                               at Violet to Bayou Dupre
                               (Scenic) (Estuarine).
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    The EPA requests the public provide to the EPA any water quality 
related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations 
for the three TMDLs. The EPA will review all data and information 
submitted during the public comment period and will revise the TMDLs 
where appropriate. The 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: November 28, 2011.
William K. Honker,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2011-31250 Filed 12-5-11; 8:45 am]
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