Proposed Rules. Notice of availability

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Action: Notice of availability
Citation: FR Doc. 01-6680 · FRL-6953-8

Summary

This notice announces the availability for comment of EPA's determination that TMDLs are not needed for 26 waterbody/pollutant combinations in the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche River Basins because new data and information show that water quality standards are being met. This proposed action would result in the removal of 26 waterbody/pollutant combinations from the Louisiana 303(d) list. 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. The court order also requires EPA 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 26 proposed determinations that TMDLs are not needed must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before April 18, 2001.

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 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 26 Proposed Determinations That TMDLs Are Not Needed Waterbody Waterbody description Suspected pollutant Reason for delisting 050101 Bayou Des Cannes—Headwaters to Mermentau River Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050103 Bayou Mallet Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050201 Bayou Plaquemine Brule, Headwaters to Bayou Des Cannes Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050901 Mermentau River Basin, Coastal Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060802 Vermilion River—From New Flanders Ambassador Caffery Bridge Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060904 Vermilion River B890 Basin, New Iberia Southern Drainage Canal Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060907 Franklin Canal Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 061101 Bayou Petite Anse Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060804 Intracoastal Waterway Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060901 Bayou Petite Anse Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050402 Lake Arthur and Lower Mermentau Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050602 Intracoastal Waterway Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050701 Grand Lake Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050702 Intracoastal Waterway Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050703 White Lake Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060205 Bayou Teche—Headwaters at Bayou Courtableau to I-10 Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060212 Chatlin Lake Canal and Bayou DuLac Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060701 Tete Bayou Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060702 Lake Fausse Point and Dauterive Lake Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060906 Intracoastal Waterway Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060910 Boston Canal and Associated Canals (Estuarine) Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is Meeting WQS. 061103 Freshwater Bayou Canal Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 050501 Bayou Que de Tortue Headwaters to Mermentau River Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060902 Bayou Carlin (Delcambre Canal)—Lake Peigneur To Bayou Petite Anse Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 060803 Vermilion River Cutoff Oil & Grease Assessment of new data and information shows it is meeting WQS. 061102 Intracoastal Waterway Oil & Grease 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 26 proposed determinations that TMDLs are not needed. EPA will review all data and information submitted during the public comment period and revise the determinations where appropriate. Dated: March 7, 2001. Joan E. Brown, Acting Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6. [FR Doc. 01-6680 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]