[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 35350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13030]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9947-21-Region 3]


Clean Water Act: Availability of List Decisions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice and initial request for public input.

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

SUMMARY: The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that states periodically 
submit, and EPA approve or disapprove, lists of waters (called 
``Section 303(d) lists'') for which existing technology-based pollution 
controls are not stringent enough to attain or maintain State water 
quality standards and for which total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) must 
be prepared. Waters identified on Section 303(d) lists are called 
``water quality-limited segments.'' This notice announces EPA's 
proposal to include in West Virginia's 2014 Section 303(d) list certain 
water quality-limited segments and requests public comment.
    On May 11, 2016, EPA partially approved West Virginia's 2014 
Section 303(d) list of water quality-limited segments and associated 
pollutants and partially disapproved West Virginia's submission to the 
extent that West Virginia did not evaluate certain water quality 
information and therefore did not identify certain water quality-
limited segments. EPA has evaluated the information and proposes to 
identify these additional water quality-limited segments for inclusion 
on the State's 2014 Section 303(d) list. The proposed water quality-
limited segments are identified in Enclosure 3 of the decision document 
available at the Web site link provided below.
    EPA is providing the public the opportunity to review its decision 
to add these water quality-limited segments to West Virginia's 2014 
Section 303(d) list. EPA will consider public comments before 
transmitting its final listing decision to the State.

DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before July 
5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed decision should be sent to Bill 
Richardson, Water Protection Division (3WP30), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency Region 3, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-
2029, or emailed to [email protected]. Oral comments will not 
be considered. Copies of EPA's letter concerning West Virginia's 2014 
Section 303(d) list that explains the rationale for EPA's decision and 
EPA's proposed list of waters to be added to West Virginia's 2014 
Section 303(d) list can be obtained at EPA Region 3's Web site at 
https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/impaired-waters-and-tmdls-region-3 or by 
writing Mr. Richardson at the above address. Underlying documents from 
the administrative record for these decisions are available for public 
inspection at the above address. Please contact Mr. Richardson to 
schedule an inspection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact 
Bill Richardson at (215) 814-5675.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act 
requires that each State identify those waters (called ``water quality-
limited segments'') for which existing technology-based pollution 
controls are not stringent enough to attain or maintain State water 
quality standards and for which total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) must 
be prepared. For those waters, States are required to establish TMDLs 
according to a priority ranking.
    EPA's Water Quality Planning and Management regulations include 
requirements related to the implementation of Section 303(d) of the CWA 
(40 CFR 130.7). The regulations require States to assemble and evaluate 
existing and readily-available water quality data and to identify water 
quality-limited segments still requiring TMDLs every two years. The 
list of waters still needing TMDL development must also include 
priority rankings and must identify the waters targeted for TMDL 
development during the next two years (40 CFR 130.7).
    Consistent with EPA's regulations, EPA received West Virginia's 
submittal of its listing decisions under Section 303(d)(2) on April 13, 
2015. On May 11, 2016, EPA partially approved West Virginia's 2014 list 
of water quality-limited segments and associated priority ranking and 
partially disapproved West Virginia's submission to the extent that 
West Virginia did not list sixty-one (61) water quality-limited 
segments based upon existing data and public input. EPA solicits public 
comment on the addition of these waters to the State's list, as 
required by 40 CFR 130.7(d)(2).

     Dated: May 24, 2016.
Jon M. Capacasa,
Director, Water Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Region III.
[FR Doc. 2016-13030 Filed 6-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P