Notices. Notice of availability

557 words·~3 min read·/register/2002/12/17/02-31678

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-7422-8] Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of 12 Modified Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability for comment of the administrative record file for 12 modified TMDLs and the calculations for these TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche river basins, under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA).

These TMDLs were completed in response to 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 16, 2003. ADDRESSES: Comments on the 12 modified TMDLs 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 these TMDLs are available for public inspection at this address as well. Documents from 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. EPA originally established these TMDLs pursuant to a consent decree entered in this lawsuit. EPA is now modifying these TMDLs. EPA Seeks Comments on 12 Modified TMDLs By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 12 modified TMDLs for waters located within the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche river basins: Subsegment Waterbody name Pollutant 050102 Bayou Joe Marcel Pathogen indicators. 060204 Bayou Courtableau—Origin to West Atchafalaya Borrow Pit Canal Pathogen indicators. 060212 Chatlin Lake Canal and Bayou Dulac Pathogen indicators. 060701 Tete Bayou Pathogen indicators. 060703 Bayou Portage Pathogen indicators. 060901 Bayou Petite Anse Pathogen indicators. 060909 Lake Peigneur Pathogen indicators. 060911 Dugas Canal Pathogen indicators. 060204 Bayou Courtableau—Origin to West Atchafalaya Borrow Pit Canal Sulfates. 050201 Bayou Plaquemine Brule—Headwaters to Bayou Des Cannes TDS. 050501 Bayou Queue de Tortue—Headwaters to Mermentau River TDS. 060208 Bayou Boeuf—Headwaters to Bayou Courtableau TDS. EPA previously requested the public to provide EPA with any significant data or information that might impact the original 12 TMDLs in Federal Register Notices: Volume 65, Number 173, pages 54032-54034 (September 6, 2000) and Volume 65, Number 196, page 60189 (October 10, 2000). EPA now requests that the public provide any water quality related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations for these 12 modified TMDLs. EPA will review all data and information submitted during the public comment period and revise the modifications to the TMDLs where appropriate. EPA will then forward the modified TMDLs to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). LDEQ will incorporate the modified TMDLs into its current water quality management plan. Dated: December 9, 2002. Miguel I. Flores, Director, Water Quality Protection Division, Region 6. [FR Doc. 02-31678 Filed 12-16-02; 8:45 am]