E7-12576. Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of 52 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 52 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 July 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Comments on the 52 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 52 TMDLs

By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 52 TMDLs for waters located within the state of Arkansas:

Segment-reach	Waterbody name	Pollutant
08040205-005	Deep Bayou	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
08040205-013	Bayou Bartholomew	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
08040205-901	Bearhouse Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
08040205-902	Harding Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
08040205-903	Melton's Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
08040205-904	Jacks Bayou	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
08040205-905	Cross Bayou	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
08040205-907	Chemin-A-Haut Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010012-003	Cooper Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010012-008	Strawberry River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010012-010	Little Strawberry River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010012-011	Strawberry River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010012-014	Reeds Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010012-015	Mill Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010012-016	Caney Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010009-902	Data Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-004	Overflow Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-006	Overflow Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-007	Little Red River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-008	Little Red River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-009	Ten Mile Creek	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-010	Little Red River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-012	Little Red River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-027	Middle Fork Little Red River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-028	Middle Fork Little Red River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.
11010014-038	South Fork Little Red River	Fecal coliform and E. coli.

EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations for these 52 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: June 20, 2007.

Miguel I. Flores,

Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region 6.