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 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.