05-22547. Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of 43 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice of availability.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces the availability of the administrative record file for comment on 43 TMDLs and the calculations for these TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the state of Arkansas 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. Browner, et al., No. LR-C-99-114.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before December 12, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Comments on the 43 TMDLs should be sent to Ms. Diane Smith, Environmental Protection Specialist, Water Quality Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202-2733, facsimile [phone], or e-mail: [e-mail]. For further information, contact Diane Smith at [phone]. Documents from 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 http://www.epa.gov/​region6/​water/​artmdl.htm, or obtained by calling [phone] or writing Ms. Smith at the above address. Please contact Ms. Smith to schedule an inspection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Diane Smith at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In 1999, five Arkansas environmental groups, the Sierra Club, Federation of Fly Fishers, Crooked Creek Coalition, Arkansas Fly Fishers, and Save our Streams (plaintiffs), filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against the EPA, styled Sierra Club, et al. v. Browner, et al., No. LR-C-99-114. Among other claims, plaintiffs alleged that EPA failed to establish Arkansas TMDLs in a timely manner. EPA proposes these TMDLs pursuant to a consent decree entered in this lawsuit.

EPA Seeks Comments on 43 TMDLs

By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 43 TMDLs for waters located within the state of Arkansas:

Segment-reach	Waterbody name	Pollutant
08020401-003	Wabbaseka Bayou	Siltation/turbidity.
11110205-011	Cadron Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
11110205-012	Cadron Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
11110203-927	White Oak Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-004	Bayou Deview	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-005	Bayou Deview	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-006	Bayou Deview	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-007	Bayou Deview	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-009	Bayou Deview	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-016	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-017	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-018	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-019	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-020	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-021	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-027	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-028	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-029	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-031	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020302-032	Cache River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010013-006	Village Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
11010013-007	Village Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
11010013-008	Village Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
11010013-012	Village Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
11010013-014	Village Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
11010014-009	Ten Mile Creek	Siltation/turbidity.
11010012-004	Strawberry River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010012-005	Strawberry River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010012-006	Strawberry River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010 12-008	Strawberry River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010012-009	Strawberry River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010012-010	Little Strawberry River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010012-011	Strawberry River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010001-023	West Fork White River	Siltation/turbidity.
11010001-024	White River	Siltation/turbidity.
08020203-012	Tyronza River	Siltation/turbidity.
11110105-001	Poteau River near Fort Smith	Siltation/turbidity.
11110105-031L	Poteau River near Waldron	Total phosphorus, Copper, and Zinc.
11140109-919	Rolling Fork	Total phosphorus, and Nitrate.
11010001-045L	Osage Creek near Berryville	Total phosphorus.

EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations for these 43 TMDLs. EPA will review all data and information submitted during the public comment period and revise the TMDLs and determinations where appropriate. EPA will then forward the TMDLs to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The ADEQ will incorporate the TMDLs into its current water quality management plan.

Dated: November 4, 2005.

Miguel I. Flores,

Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA, Region 6.