ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL–6918–3]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of Proposed Determinations That Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Are Not Needed
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Notice of availability.
SUMMARY:
This notice announces the availability for comment EPA proposed determinations that TMDLs are not needed for 54 waterbody/pollutant combinations in the Mermenatu and Vermilion/Teche river basins. EPA prepared the proposed determinations in response to a Court Order dated October 1, 1999, in the lawsuit
Sierra Club, et al.
v.
Clifford et al.,
No. 96–0527, (E.D. La.). Under this court order, EPA is required to prepare TMDLs when needed for waters on the Louisiana 1998 section 303(d) list by December 31, 2007. EPA is also required to add or delete waters to the schedule as new data confirms that waters are or are not meeting water quality standards.
DATES:
Comments on the 54 proposed determinations that TMDLs are not needed must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before January 17, 2001.
ADDRESSES:
Comments on the proposed determinations should be sent to Ellen Caldwell, Environmental Protection Specialist, Water Quality Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202–2733. For further information, contact Ellen Caldwell at (214) 665–7513. The administrative record file for the proposed determinations is available for public inspection at this address as well. The administrative record file may be viewed at www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm, or obtained by calling or writing Ms. Caldwell at the above address. Please contact Ms. Caldwell to schedule an inspection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ellen Caldwell at (214) 665–7513.
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 United States Environmental Protection Agency (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. Discussion of the court's order may be found at 65 FR 54032 (September 6, 2000).
EPA Seeks Comments on 54 Proposed Determinations That TMDLs Are Not Necessary
Waterbody
Waterbody description
Suspected
pollutant
Reason for delisting
050101
Bayou Des Cannes—Headwaters to Mermentau
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting Water Quality Standards (WQS).
050102
Bayou Joe Marcel
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information show it is meeting WQS.
050103
Bayou Mallet
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information show it is meeting WQS.
050201
Bayou Plaquemine Brule—Headwaters to Bayou Des Cannes
Chlorides
Sulfates
Assessment of new data and information show it is meeting WQS.
050301
Bayou Nezpique—Headwaters to Mermentau River
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information show it is meeting WQS.
050401
Mermentau River—Origin To Lake Arthur
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information show it is meeting WQS.
050402
Lake Arthur and Lower Mermentau
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
050501
Bayou Que de Tortue—Headwaters to Mermentau River
Chlorides
Sulfates
Phosphorus
Assessment of new data and information shows it is it meeting WQS.
050602
Intracoastal Waterway
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
050701
Grand Lake
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
050702
Intracoastal Waterway
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
050703
White Lake
Sulfates
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
050901
Bays and Gulf Waters to State 3-mile Limit
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060202
Bayou Cocodrie
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060203
Chicot Lake
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060204
Bayou Courtableau—Origin to West Atchafalaya Borrow Pit Canal
Chlorides
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060205
Bayou Teche—Headwaters at Bayou Courtableau to I–10
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060207
Bayou des Glaises Diversion Channel
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060208
Bayou Boeuf—Headwaters to Bayou Courtableau
Chlorides
Sulfates
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060209
Irish Ditch/Big Bayou—Unnamed Ditch to Irish Ditch
Salinity/TDS
Chlorides
Sulfates
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060210
Bayou Carron
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060211
West Atchafalaya Borrow Pit Canal
Chlorides
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060212
Chatlin Lake Canal and Bayou DuLac
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060401
Bayou Teche—Keystone Locks and Dam to Charenton Canal
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060501
Bayou Teche—Charenton Canal to Wax Lake Outlet
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060601
Charenton Canal
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060701
Tete Bayou
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060702
Lake Fausse Point and Dauterive Lake
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060703
Bayou du Portage
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060801
Vermilion River—Head-waters at Bayou Fusilier—Bourbeaux Junction to New Flanders (Ambassador Caffery Bridge at Hwy 3073)
Chlorides
Salinity/TDS
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060802
Vermilion River—From New Flanders (Ambassador Caffery Bridge at Hwy 3073) To Intracoastal Waterway
Salinity/TDS
Chlorides
Temp.
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060803
Vermilion River Cutoff
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060804
Intracoastal Waterway
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060901
Bayou Petite Anse
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060902
Bayou Carlin (Delcambre Canal)—Lake Peigneur to Bayou Petite Anse (Estuarine)
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060903
Bayou Tigre
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060904
Vermilion River B890 Basin New Iberia Southern Drainage Canal
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060906
Intracoastal Waterway
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
060909
Lake Peigneur
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
061102
Intracoastal Waterway
Turbidity
Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS.
EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality related data and information that may be relevant to the 54 proposed determinations that TMDLs are not necessary. EPA will review all data and information submitted during the public comment period and revise the determinations where appropriate.
Dated: November 27, 2000.
Sam Becker,
Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6.