E7-24380. Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of 86 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) in Arkansas

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice of availability.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces the availability of the administrative record file for comment on 86 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). Several of these TMDLs available for notice, are being 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 January 16, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Comments on the 86 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/​6wq/​npdes/​tmdl/​index.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 86 TMDLs

By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 86 TMDLs for waters located within the state of Arkansas:

Segment-reach	Waterbody name	Pollutant
08040102-016	Caddo River	Copper and Zinc.
08040102-018	Caddo River	Copper and Zinc.
08040102-019	Caddo River	Copper and Zinc.
08040102-023	South Fork Caddo R.	Copper and Zinc.
08040201-005	Ouachita River	Copper and Zinc.
08040201-006	Smackover Creek	Copper and Zinc.
08040201-007	Smackover Creek	Copper and Zinc.
08040201-606	El Dorado Chemical	Copper, Zinc., and Nitrate. Company Tributary.
08040202-002	Ouachita River	Copper and Zinc.
08040202-004	Ouachita River	Copper and Zinc.
08040202-006	Bayou de L'Outre	TDS, Chloride, Sulfate., Copper, Zinc., and Lead.
08040202-007	Bayou de L'Outre	TDS, Chloride, Sulfate., Copper. Zinc., and Lead.
08040202-008	Bayou de L'Outre	TDS, Chloride, Sulfate., Copper, Zinc., and Lead.
08040203-007	Saline River	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040203-008	Lost River	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040203-009	Saline River	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040203-010	Saline River	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040203-904	Big Creek	Lead., Siltation/Turbidity.
08040204-006	Saline River	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040205-001	Bayou Bartholomew	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040205-002	Bayou Bartholomew	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040205-007	Cutoff Creek	Turbidity.
08040205-012U	Bayou Bartholomew	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040205-013	Bayou Bartholomew	TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate.
08040206-015	Big Cornie Creek	Sulfate. and Zinc.
08040206-016	Little Cornie Creek	Sulfate. and Zinc.
08040206-716	Walker Branch	Sulfate. and Zinc.
08040206-816	Little Cornie Creek	Sulfate. and Zinc.
08040206-916	Walker Branch	Sulfate. and Zinc.
08020203-007	Blackfish Bayou	Siltation/Turbidity.
08020203-005	Blackfish Bayou	Siltation/Turbidity.
08020203-003	Blackfish Bayou	Siltation/Turbidity.
08040101-048	Prairie Creek	Siltation/Turbidity.
08040201-001U	Moro Creek	Siltation/Turbidity.
08040201-001L	Moro Creek	Siltation/Turbidity.
08040204-005	Big Creek	Siltation/Turbidity.

EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations for these 86 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: December 10, 2007.

Miguel I. Flores,

Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region 6.