Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Final Agency Action on 45 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice of availability.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces final agency action on 45 TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in Louisiana's Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche river basins, under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). EPA evaluated these waters and prepared the 45 TMDLs in response to the lawsuit styled Sierra Club, et al. v. Clifford et al., No. 96-0527, (E.D. La.). Documents from the administrative record files for the final 45 TMDLs, including TMDL calculations and responses to comments, may be viewed at www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm. The administrative record files may be 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 Takes Final Agency Action on 45 TMDLs

By this notice EPA is taking a final agency action on the following 45 TMDLs for waters located within the Mermentau and Vermilion/Teche basins:

EPA requested the public to provide EPA with any significant data or information that may impact the 45 TMDLs at Federal Register Notice: Volume 66, Number 199, pages 52403-52404 (October 15, 2001). The comments received and EPA's response to comments may be found at www.epa.gov/region6/water/tmdl.htm.