The Department of Environmental Quality will receive comments through Wednesday, September 23, 2009, regarding the draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for biochemical oxygen-demanding substances and nutrients for the Lower Amite River Watershed. The model extends from the Amite River Diversion Canal and terminates at Lake Maurepas.  Lower Amite River is in the Pontchartrain Basin and this study includes Water Quality Subsegment 040303. The land adjacent to the waterbody is primarily wetlands with some pasture and pine/hardwood forest. Land use is residential/recreation along with limited agriculture and forestry.

 

 This TMDL will incorporate a phased approach. Phase I includes the development of a TMDL for the current dissolved oxygen criterion of 5.0 mg/L year round. Implementation of permit limits or nonpoint load reductions will not be required as a part of Phase I. LDEQ is in the process of developing more appropriate dissolved oxygen criteria for various areas of the state through ecoregion-based use attainability analysis (UAA) studies. Once the dissolved oxygen criterion for Subsegment 040303 has been revised, then Phase II will be completed. Phase II will include revision and implementation of the TMDL for the new dissolved oxygen criteria. 

 

There are eight permitted dischargers in this subsegment.  No permit limits are expected to be modified as a result of the final TMDL, Phase I or Phase II.

 

This TMDL will be incorporated into Volume 8 of the Louisiana Water Quality Management Plan upon approval by the U.S. EPA.  

 

            The  draft  TMDL  report can be obtained by submitting a public records request to LDEQ’s Public Records Management Section, which can be accessed at  http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/tabid/2231/Default.aspx or by phone at (225) 219-3172 or toll-free at 1-866-892-5337.  The draft TMDL report is also available on the LDEQ   website:  http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/default.aspx?tabid=1563.                         

For information regarding this TMDL, contact Mr. Chuck Berger at (225) 219-3554.

 

            All interested persons are invited and encouraged to comment on this draft TMDL.  The Office of Environmental Assessment will address any questions and comments expressed during the 30-day review period.  Written comments should be addressed to Mr. Chuck Berger, Office of Environmental Assessment, Water Quality Assessment Division, P. O. Box 4314, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70821-4314.