[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-3432] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: February 15, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-4837-7] Review of Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document provides opportunity for comment on the proposed Stage 1 Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) for Lake Superior. This Stage 1 LaMP, when finalized, will serve to satisfy the obligations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) under Section 118 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). It also serves as a report on progress under the Binational Program to Restore and Protect Lake Superior. This proposed LaMP was developed through a binational process involving EPA, Environment Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the States of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin under the ongoing implementation of the Binational Program. EPA puts forward this proposed LaMP for public comment in the United States on behalf of the agencies involved in the Binational Program. The proposed Lake Superior LaMP describes a selected list of Critical Pollutants causing or contributing to adverse impacts on the Lake Superior ecosystem based on information available as of January 1, 1991, and informs the public of the variety of actions that Federal, State, Provincial, Tribal, and local governments and private organizations are taking, will take, or could take to reduce the amount of these pollutants entering the waters of the Lake Superior System. In addition, the proposed Lake Superior LaMP proposes candidate Critical Pollutants for evaluation in future revisions of the LaMP. Due to its length and format, the proposed Lake Superior LaMP is summarized in this notice, rather than published in full. As described in this notice, EPA is making copies of the entire LaMP available to the public. Furthermore, EPA is soliciting comments on all aspects of the proposed LaMP. In particular, EPA seeks comments regarding the proposed list of Critical Pollutants for Lake Superior, the proposed list of causal pollutants (candidate Critical Pollutants) and the actions available to Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as the public, to reduce the release of Critical Pollutants from all sources and the presence of these substances in the waters of the Lake Superior System. DATES: EPA will accept comment on the proposed Lake Superior LaMP until May 16, 1994. Comments received after this date may not be considered. In addition, EPA has considered materials submitted by the public prior to today's notice in the development of the proposed LaMP. These materials contain comments on draft elements that have been superseded by today's proposal and EPA will not consider them in the development of the final LaMP. Further, EPA cannot ensure consideration of comments submitted to other agencies or entities other than EPA in the development of the final LaMP. Accordingly, EPA advises the public that for the purposes of exhaustion of administrative remedies, all comments must be submitted to EPA based on today's notice. ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the proposed Lake Superior LaMP please contact Jeanette Morris-Collins, Environmental Protection Assistant, Water Quality Branch, U.S. EPA, Region 5 (WQ-16J), 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, 60604, (telephone: 312-886-0152). Copies of the proposed Lake Superior LaMP may also be obtained from the following offices: Jean Hude, Michigan DNR, Surface Water Quality Division, P.O. Box 30273, Lansing, Michigan, 48909, Telephone: 517-335-6970; Carrie Losi-Hansen, Minnesota PCA, Division of Water Quality, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155, Telephone: 612-296-9134; Danielle Valvasorri, Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Water Resources, P.O. Box 7021, Madison, WI, 53707, Telephone: 608-266-9276. The proposed Lake Superior LaMP will also be available for viewing by the public at the following locations: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 Library, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, 60604 (312-886-9056). Michigan: Library of Michigan, Government Documents Service, 717 West Allegan, Lansing, Michigan, 48909 (517-373-1300); Detroit Public Library, Sociology and Economics Department, 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, 48902 (313-833-1440). Minnesota: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Library, 320 Lafayette, St. Paul, Minnesota (612-296-7719). Wisconsin: Water Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2nd floor, 1975 Willow Drive, Madison, Wisconsin (608-2620-3069). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan M. Gilbertson, Project Manager, Water Quality Branch, U.S. EPA, Region 5 (WQ-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, 60604 (telephone: 312-353-2190). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background In Article VI, Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), as amended in 1987, the United States and Canadian Governments agreed to develop and implement Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) for each of the five Great Lakes. EPA interprets LaMPs as management tools designed to: (1) Integrate Federal, State and local programs to reduce loadings of toxic substances (including discharges from point and nonpoint sources); (2) assess whether these programs will ensure attainment of water quality standards and beneficial uses; and (3) recommend any media-specific program enhancements necessary to reduce toxic loadings in waters currently not attaining water quality standards and/or beneficial uses. LaMPs provide an opportunity for regulatory authorities to design cost-effective approaches for meeting water quality standards and/or beneficial uses. EPA believes the primary goal of LaMPs is to reduce both point and nonpoint source loadings and ambient levels of critical pollutants, those pollutants which are causing, or have the potential to cause, exceedances of water quality standards or impairments of beneficial uses of the Great Lakes. By addressing pollutants that might impair waters that currently meet water quality standards and/or beneficial uses, LaMPs incorporate a pollution prevention approach. Traditional regulatory programs, as well as non-traditional voluntary programs, are considered in the LaMP process. EPA intends to periodically update LaMPs to reflect progress in implementing media-specific programs and attendant reductions in loadings of Critical Pollutants, to incorporate advances in the understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem based on new data and information, and to include any necessary program specific adjustments. When finalized, EPA intends the Lake Superior LaMP to serve as the basis for development and submission of State Water Quality Management Plans (WQM Plans) developed in accordance with sections 208 and 303(b) of the CWA, as implemented through the requirements of 40 CFR 130.6. These WQM plans establish a process for continuing water quality planning which focuses on priority issues and geographic areas and on the development of water quality controls leading to implementation measures. Such plans draw on water quality assessments to identify priority point and nonpoint water quality problems, consider alternative solutions and recommend control measures. In this way, EPA and the States will ensure reasonable progress in the overall improvement of Great Lakes water quality and attainment of water quality standards and beneficial uses. Further, EPA expects any new loadings data obtained during the development of LaMPs to be incorporated by the States when establishing or revising Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Waste Load Allocations (WLAs) for waters of the Great Lakes System. LaMP development for Lake Superior began as a component of the Bi- National Program to Restore and Protect the Lake Superior Basin. Lake Superior has not experienced the intense development, urbanization and pollution characteristic of the lower Great Lakes and has remained relatively pristine. The Program recognizes the unique, relatively pristine nature of the Lake Superior ecosystem and the commitment of the Federal, State and Provincial governments to developing new and innovative approaches to pollution prevention and zero discharge of certain persistent, bioaccumulative toxic pollutants. The focus of the Lake Superior LaMP, therefore, is on using Lake Superior as a demonstration area for new and innovative approaches to pollution prevention and zero discharge. II. Binational Program to Restore and Protect Lake Superior On September 30, 1991, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada, the States of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the Province of Ontario announced the ``Binational Program to Restore and Protect the Lake Superior Basin''. This program represents the response of the Federal, State and Provincial governments to the recommendation of the International Joint Commission that ``* * * [Lake Superior be designated] as a demonstration area where no point source discharge of any persistent toxic substance be permitted''. This Binational Program encompasses two major areas. The first is a zero discharge demonstration program devoted to the goal of achieving zero discharge or emission of nine designated persistent toxic substances. The second is a broader program of identifying beneficial use impairments, and restoring and protecting the Lake Superior Basin ecosystem. The ultimate goal of the Lake Superior Binational Program is to protect, and where necessary, restore the integrity of Lake Superior's ecosystem through pollution prevention, enhanced regulatory measures, and remedial programs. The goal of the Lake Superior zero discharge demonstration program is ``to achieve zero discharge and zero emission of certain designated persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances, which may degrade the ecosystem of the Lake Superior Basin''. This goal is to be pursued through actions in three key areas--waters of the Lake Superior Basin will be designated for special protection and antidegradation requirements, and reductions in existing loadings will be achieved through both voluntary pollution prevention actions and enhanced control and regulatory efforts. In the United States, the Binational Program commits the State Governments of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin to designate appropriate areas of the Lake Superior Basin as Lake Superior Outstanding International Resource Waters (LS-OIRW), or as Lake Superior Outstanding National Resource Waters (LS-ONRW). Under the LS- OIRW designation, increased discharges of designated persistent bioaccumulative toxic pollutants will not be allowed without an adequate antidegradation demonstration which includes application of best technology for process and treatment. Under the LS-ONRW designation, any new or increased discharges of designated persistent bioaccumulative pollutants from point sources will be prohibited. EPA included provisions for the LS-ONRW and LS-OIRW designations in the proposed Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance (58 FR 20803) on behalf of the Lake Superior States. EPA anticipates publishing the final Guidance in the Federal Register by March 13, 1995. In the United States, it is the goal of the Clean Water Act that the discharge of pollutants to the waters of the nation be eliminated. (Pub. L. 92-500, as amended by Pub. L. 100-4) Further, it is national policy that the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts be prohibited, and that programs be developed and implemented to meet the goals of the Act through the control of both point and nonpoint sources of pollution. Over the last twenty years, tremendous progress has been made in improving the water quality of the Great Lakes System, and encouraging continued progress towards zero discharge of pollutants to the waters of the Great Lakes System. To ensure such progress continues, the United States commits to improved point source and nonpoint source controls through upgraded technology based requirements and water quality standard requirements, implementation of best management practices, and application of technology based air emission standards to ensure achievement of water quality criteria, including air emission standards for Great Lakes pollutants of concern. Pollution prevention measures are the preferred approach to eliminate or further reduce persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances at their sources. In the United States, the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 declares as national policy that pollution prevention is the preferred approach to environmental protection (United States Public Law 101-508). When preventing pollution is not feasible, recycling in an environmentally safe manner is the next preferred option, followed by treatment. Disposal or other release into the environment should be the management option of last resort, and should only be done in an environmentally protective manner. A comprehensive multi-media pollution prevention strategy has been developed by EPA and Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The strategy focuses on the nine designated zero discharge pollutants and identifies sources and pollution prevention alternatives for reducing loadings from these sources. Implementation of the strategy encompasses technical assistance, education, special programs, legislative and regulatory recommendations, and financial incentives. EPA views LaMPs as dynamic, action-oriented processes encompassing a number of components. These include an evaluation of beneficial use impairments and pollutants contributing to those impairments; a summary of sources and loads of these critical pollutants; identification of ongoing prevention, control and remediation actions as well as additional efforts needed to reduce pollutant loads and restore beneficial uses; and monitoring activities to evaluate the effectiveness of program actions. This approach for developing and implementing LaMPs is an evolutionary and iterative process for identifying and reducing loadings of Critical Pollutants from all sources. While the focus of a LaMP is on toxic pollutants, the Federal, State and Provincial agencies participating in the LaMPs recognize that issues associated with beneficial use impairments, such as habitat quality and quantity, and endangered or threatened species, are significant factors in addressing the overall ecological health of the Great Lakes System. As the Lake Superior LaMP develops, participating Agencies will identify opportunities for addressing these issues in conjunction with toxic load reduction activities. In this manner the LaMP for Lake Superior will further the broader goal of the Binational Program of identifying beneficial use impairments, and restoring and protecting the Lake Superior Basin ecosystem. Certain elements of this broader program are already underway, including a Binational Habitat Project to identify and rank critical habitat sites for protection and restoration, and special designations establishing protected management areas such as parks, reserves, and wildlife refuges. III. Management Process The development and implementation of LaMPs is an enormous undertaking in terms of the technical complexity of the issues, the geographic scope encompassed by the LaMP, and the extensive coordination required amongst Federal, Provincial, State, Tribal and local governments, and the public. EPA and the participating agencies believe LaMPs should be developed with full participation by all interested parties. The Binational Program management structure serves as the management framework for the Lake Superior LaMP. The Binational Program is directed by the Lake Superior Task Force, a steering committee comprised of senior managers of Federal, Provincial, State and Tribal agencies. The Task Force is responsible for: (1) Providing overall policy direction to the program, defining program priorities and ensuring program implementation through application of all relevant programmatic and statutory authorities; (2) convening technical work groups composed of Federal, State, Provincial and other representatives as necessary to develop recommendations for actions; (3) reviewing and approving the LaMP or specific elements of it, technical workgroup products, and recommendations; (4) ensuring public participation and review; and (5) securing resources to support LaMP development and implementation. The Lake Superior Workgroup (SWG), comprised of technical and scientific staff, reports to the Task Force and is responsible for program implementation. The Lake Superior Forum is a public participation group consisting of 22 U.S. and Canadian members from academia, industry, municipalities, environmental organizations and concerned citizens representative of basin stakeholders. Public participation in the development and implementation of the Binational Program is accomplished through three tiers of activity: (1) General public education through workshops, public presentations, and the distribution of fact sheets and other written materials, (2) public notices to provide the opportunity for broad public review of the LaMP and progress on implementation on an ongoing basis; and (3) the Lake Superior Forum. Representatives of the Forum are invited to: (1) Participate as observers in both Task Force and technical-level committee meetings; (2) develop recommendations for Task Force and Workgroup consideration; and, (3) comment on recommendations and documents of the Binational Program. The Forum does not substitute for the activities described in tiers 1 or 2. Forum members are encouraged to be representative of various constituencies within the Basin, and to provide the Task Force with their views and concerns on Binational Program activities. IV. Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan The proposed Lake Superior LaMP embodies a process for implementing an ecosystem-focussed approach to environmental protection. The process consists of the following steps: (1) Monitoring the environment and reviewing available data to determine existing ecological or use impairments and any potential threats to the Lake Superior System; (2) Identifying the pollutants associated with impairments or threats; (3) Identifying the sources of these pollutants; (4) Measuring or estimating the quantity of pollutants being released by those sources and the amount reaching the waters of the Lake Superior System (i.e., the ``loading'' of the pollutants); (5) Establishing load reduction targets that will allow for the restoration and protection of the ecological health of the Lake Superior ecosystem; (6) Developing and implementing specific strategies to reduce the levels of pollutant loadings and/or ambient levels in the waters of the Lake Superior System; (7) Monitoring reductions from pollutant sources; (8) Evaluating ecosystem response, through monitoring of ecosystem indicators, in order to measure progress towards restoration of beneficial uses and ecosystem health and integrity, and to detect emerging problems; and, (9) Revising the LaMP to reflect the results of load reduction actions, incorporate additional data on the status of beneficial use impairments and identify the next series of priority actions. The development and implementation of a Lakewide Management Plan is an iterative process, a series of actions leading to environmental improvements and protection and restoration of beneficial uses. EPA and the binational partners view the LaMP as a series of dynamic, interrelated actions, rather than a static document. As more information becomes available, additional load reduction activities will be initiated by the participating agencies. As the effectiveness of ongoing efforts are evaluated, EPA and the participating agencies will establish new priorities as appropriate. The Agency believes development and implementation of the LaMP will enhance the ability of participating agencies to respond to emerging environmental problems quickly and effectively. Activities underway through the LaMP are not necessarily sequential; activities specific to each step likely will be ongoing simultaneously. Acquisition of more complete information regarding the association between critical pollutants and beneficial uses, sources and loads of pollutants, and achievement of ecosystem objectives will be a long-term process. The binational partners intend to move forward by reducing pollutant loads while simultaneously improving their understanding of the relationships between beneficial use impairments and pollutant loadings and sources. This refinement will be realized through more comprehensive data management, research, and monitoring efforts. Finally, the LaMP will improve the environmental protection efforts of the participating agencies by:Providing a lakewide context for activities undertaken in support of the Great Lakes program in order to facilitate efforts focussed on the entire basin or on specific tributary subbasins; Coordinating Federal, Provincial, State, local, and tribal activities to avoid duplication of effort, ensure that ongoing activities are complimentary, and identify opportunities to add value to ongoing efforts; Communicating information among all levels of government and the public in order to keep the public informed of ongoing and proposed activities and provide a forum for public input and comment; Providing a vehicle for linking agency pollution control activities to environmental results; and Identifying and evaluating gaps in existing programs and authorities which represent impediments to complete restoration of Lake Superior, and making recommendations on how to fill those gaps. V. Critical Pollutants Critical Pollutants are defined by Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement as substances that persist at levels that, singly or in synergistic or additive combination, are causing, or are likely to cause, impairment of beneficial uses despite past application of regulatory controls due to their: (1) Presence in open lake waters; (2) ability to cause or contribute to a failure to meet Agreement objectives through their recognized threat to human health and aquatic life; or (3) ability to bioaccumulate. As discussed above, the Lake Superior Binational Program has designated nine chemicals for zero discharge. The SWG proposes these nine pollutants be designated as Critical Pollutants in the Lake Superior LaMP: chlordane, DDT and metabolites, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, octachlorostyrene, PCBs, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, toxaphene and mercury. The SWG has evaluated pollutants which are causally linked to lakewide impairments of beneficial uses, exceedances of chemical criteria, standards or objectives, or impairments of ecosystem objectives. The SWG proposes these pollutants as candidate Critical Pollutants. These causal pollutants (candidate Critical Pollutants) are: Organics Metals Others alpha-BHC arsenic bark heptachlor epoxide cadmium BOD PAH's chromium fibre furans & dioxins copper phosphorous lead pulp mill effluent iron manganese nickel zinc The Superior Workgroup will evaluate the list of causal pollutants for evidence of point or nonpoint discharges of these pollutants to the waters of the Lake Superior System. In addition, the causal pollutants will be evaluated on the basis of their potential to cause significant damage to the health of the Lake Superior ecosystem. This evaluation will form the basis for designating Critical Pollutants which currently impact Lake Superior. The Lake Superior Forum has developed a list of pollutants which the Forum believes should be subject to preventative measures in the basin. The Forum believes that identifying these substances as critical pollutants will enhance the level of protection afforded the Lake Superior ecosystem, and is consistent with the goals of the Binational Program. EPA puts forward these Forum proposals to further public discussion on this issue, and request comments on the scope and adequacy of the Forum proposal. The SWG proposes that Critical Pollutants will be targeted for: (1) Zero discharge; (2) lakewide load reductions; and/or, (3) preventative measures, based upon their characteristics, such as persistence, bioaccumulative potential, toxicity and potential for future introduction to the basin. Using such a categorization process will strengthen the ability of Federal, Provincial and State agencies to develop and apply appropriate environmental protection strategies. EPA finds merit with these proposals of the SWG and puts them forth in the United States in today's notice on behalf of the binational partners. EPA requests specific comments on the proposal to designate the substances listed above as Critical Pollutants for Lake Superior. EPA requests proposals for pollutants other than those listed above to be added to the Critical Pollutant list. EPA further requests any information on the ambient concentrations of a pollutant in the water or sediments of Lake Superior, or in the tissues of the aquatic life, wildlife, or humans that are dependent on Lake Superior for food or water, which suggests that a substance should be considered a critical pollutant for Lake Superior. In addition, EPA requests any additional information on any sources and loadings of these and any other substances that may currently cause, or have the potential to cause, impairments of beneficial uses of the Lake Superior ecosystem. VI. Source Identification and Load Quantification Today's proposed Lake Superior LaMP focuses on the nine designated zero discharge pollutants which have been designated as Critical Pollutants. As of January 1, 1991, 43 major surface water dischargers to the waters of the Lake Superior System have been identified. Existing industrial sources include 27 facilities, including forest products manufacturers, mines and metals processing facilities, electrical generating stations, a wood preserving industry, an oil refinery, and a food processor. Sixteen municipal wastewater treatment facilities were evaluated. Of these 43 sources, available data indicate that 16 discharged detectable levels of TCDD, OCS, HCB, PCBs and mercury. The most commonly detected pollutant was mercury, identified in 14 of the 43 sources. Detailed descriptions for these 43 sources are included in Appendix 5 and detailed loadings estimates in Appendix 6. Available loadings and process information were used to assess each source against a proposed blueprint for zero discharge. The results of this assessment are included in Appendix 7. In only a few cases could loads be estimated by direct measurement of pollutant concentration multiplied by total flows. EPA requests comments on the accuracy and completeness of these source evaluations. EPA further requests any additional information on the discharges of critical pollutants, or other pollutants which may adversely affect beneficial uses, to the waters of Lake Superior System from these or any other point or nonpoint sources. EPA and the binational partners recognize that no direct method of measuring zero discharge exists due partly to the limits of analytical science as well as the lack of an authoritative definition of zero. Therefore, to assess the progress of the zero discharge demonstration program and the LaMP, today's proposed LaMP includes a framework, or blueprint, for assessing zero discharge. This blueprint utilizes an approach of assessing chemical use, production, or potential for release in contrast to solely utilizing analytical detection. Such a staged approach accommodates evaluation of sources within as well as outside of the Lake Superior basin which cause or have the potential to cause impairments of beneficial uses. EPA concurs with this proposed approach for Lake Superior, and puts forward this proposed blueprint for public review and comment in the United States on behalf of the binational partners. EPA requests comments on the suitability of such an approach in assessing progress towards zero discharge in Lake Superior, as well as other alternatives for assessing progress. VII. Ecosystem Objectives and Indicators In Annex 1 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the U.S. and Canadian governments, in consultation with State and Provincial governments, agreed to develop ecosystem objectives for the waters of the Great Lakes System, as the state of knowledge permits. In addition, the Agreement specifies the following objective for Lake Superior - ``the Lake should be maintained as a balanced and stable oligotrophic ecosystem with lake trout as the top aquatic predator of a cold water community and the Pontoporeia hoyi as a key organism in the food chain.'' EPA views ecosystem principles and objectives as an integral component of LaMPs consistent with the general principles of Annex 2 of the Agreement that LaMPs embody a systematic and comprehensive ecosystem approach to restoring and protecting beneficial uses. EPA intends to incorporate ecosystem principles and objectives, and ultimately, ecosystem indicators, into the Lake Superior LaMP. The public will be provided opportunities to participate in the development of ecosystem indicators for Lake Superior, including review and comment on proposed ecosystem indicators. When finalized and adopted into the Lake Superior LaMP, EPA believes ecosystem principles, objectives and indicators will serve to further the goals of the Binational Program as well as the broader goals of the Agency's Great Lakes program. The proposed Lake Superior ecosystem principles and objectives were drafted by representatives of Federal, State and Provincial agencies in consultation with the Lake Superior Forum. EPA puts forward the proposed Lake Superior ecosystem principles and objectives for public review and comment in the United States on behalf of the binational partners. Comments received from the public on todays proposal will be considered by the binational partners in finalizing and adopting Lake Superior ecosystem principles and objectives. EPA requests comments on all aspects of todays proposal, including: (1) A Vision for Lake Superior adopted by the Lake Superior Forum; (2) general objectives; (3) aquatic community objectives; (4) terrestrial wildlife objectives; (5) habitat objectives; (5) human health objectives; and, (6) objectives for sustainable development. In addition, EPA requests comments on the proposed framework for developing ecosystem indicators for Lake Superior. The Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance, when finalized, will establish water quality criteria and goals to protect aquatic life, wildlife, and human health in the Great Lakes Basin. The water quality criteria and values proposed in the Guidance apply to all the ambient United States waters of the Great Lakes System, regardless of the source of pollutants to those waters. In this manner, the proposed water quality criteria and values provide the basis for integrating actions carried out under the range of environmental programs available to both Federal, State and Tribal regulators to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. EPA intends to use the water quality criteria and values, when finalized, as indicators of the health of the Lake Superior ecosystem. EPA requests comments on this approach. VIII. Management Strategies and Actions A wide range of actions are being undertaken by Federal, Provincial and State agencies through the Binational Program. These include specific actions intended to reduce pollutant loadings to the Lake Superior System, and further the goals of zero discharge. These include: Implementation of a comprehensive pollution prevention strategy for the nine designated zero discharge pollutants. Assessment and analysis of financial/economic tools and incentives to encourage virtual elimination and sustainable development throughout the Lake Superior Basin as mechanisms to achieve zero discharge. Basinwide educational programs to raise consumer consciousness regarding hazardous wastes and the impact of such wastes on the water quality. Load reductions through existing and expanded environmental programs at the Federal, Provincial and State levels. Development of specific procedures for LS-OIRW and LS-ONRW designations including candidate lists of waters. Investigation and remediation of contaminated sediments in targeted sites Public workshops and meetings throughout the Lake Superior Basin to discuss both the proposed LaMP and the Binational Program. Development of a comprehensive monitoring program designed to quantify loads and identify sources of critical pollutants on a priority basis. EPA Requests public comment on the scope, adequacy, and timing of the actions described in the proposed Lake Superior LaMP. EPA requests proposals or information from the public on local actions to reduce loads of toxic pollutants to the waters of the Lake Superior System, on any other action which may reduce loads of toxic pollutants to the waters of the Lake Superior System, support the zero discharge demonstration program, further public participation and involvement in the Binational Program, or in any other way serve to protect and restore the Lake Superior ecosystem. Dated: February 1, 1994. Robert Springer, Acting Regional Administrator. [FR Doc. 94-3432 Filed 2-14-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P