[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:
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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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