The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is seeking public
comment during a 30-day period beginning May 23, 2008 for one draft
Total Maximum Daily Load. The TMDL addresses bacteria in the Lower
San Antonio River watershed in DeWitt, Goliad, Karnes, Refugio,
Galveston, Wilson and Victoria counties. The goal of this project
is to reduce bacteria concentrations in the Lower San Antonio River
to within the acceptable risk level for contact recreation.
The TCEQ will conduct a meeting to receive oral and written
comments on the TMDL on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 7:00
p.m. at the Parish Hall of the Immaculate Conception Catholic
Church, 207 N. Commercial, Goliad.
The meeting provides the public an opportunity to comment on the
draft TMDL. The commission requests comment on each of the major
components of the TMDL. After the public comment period, TCEQ staff
may revise the plan, if appropriate. The final document will then
be considered for adoption by the commission. Upon commission
approval, the plan and a response to public comments will be made
available on the TCEQ Web site.
More information on the project and the draft TMDL is available
online:
www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/water/tmdl/34-lowersanantoniobac.html#tmdls,
or to receive a copy call 512/239-6682.
The goal of a TMDL is to determine the amount (concentration or
load) of a pollutant that a body of water can receive and still
support its beneficial uses. As required by §303(d) of the
federal Clean Water Act, one TMDL was developed for bacteria. A
final TMDL will be adopted by the commission, and subsequently
approved by the EPA, as an update to the State Water Quality
Management Plan.
Written comments should be submitted to Kerry Niemann, TCEQ,
Water Programs Division, MC 203, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX,
78711-3087 or faxed to (512) 239-1414. All comments must be
received no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 21, 2008
and should reference, One Total Maximum Daily Load for
Bacteria in the Lower San Antonio River.
