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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 08-1596c

[38 Pa.B. 4791]
[Saturday, August 30, 2008]

[Continued from previous Web Page]

FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT SECTION 401

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) has taken the following actions on previously received permit applications, requests for Environmental Assessment approval and requests for Water Quality Certification under section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) (33 U.S.C.A. § 1341).

   Except as otherwise noted, the Department has granted 401 Water Quality Certification certifying that the construction and operation described will comply with the applicable provisions of sections 301--303, 306 and 307 of the FWPCA (33 U.S.C.A. §§ 1311--1313, 1316 and 1317) and that the construction will not violate applicable Federal and State water quality standards.

   Persons aggrieved by an action may appeal, under section 4 of the Environmental Hearing Board Act (35 P. S. § 7514) and 2 Pa.C.S. §§ 501--508 and 701--704 (relating to the Administrative Agency Law), to the Environmental Hearing Board, Second Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8457, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8457, (717) 787-3483. TDD users should contact the Environmental Hearing Board (Board) through the Pennsylvania Relay Service, (800) 654-5984. Appeals must be filed with the Board within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, unless the appropriate statute provides a different time period. Copies of the appeal form and the Board's rules of practice and procedure may be obtained from the Board. The appeal form and the Board's rules of practice and procedure are also available in Braille or on audiotape from the Secretary of the Board at (717) 787-3483. This paragraph does not, in and of itself, create any right of appeal beyond that permitted by applicable statutes and decision law.

   For individuals who wish to challenge an action, appeals must reach the Board within 30 days. A lawyer is not needed to file an appeal with the Board.

   Important legal rights are at stake, however, so individuals should show this notice to a lawyer at once. Persons who cannot afford a lawyer may qualify for free pro bono representation. Call the Secretary to the Board at (717) 787-3483 for more information.


Actions on applications for the following activities filed under the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (32 P. S. §§ 693.1--693.27), section 302 of the Flood Plain Management Act (32 P. S. § 679.302) and The Clean Streams Law (35 §§ 691.1--691.702) and Notice of Final Action for Certification under section 401 of the FWPCA (33 U.S.C.A. § 1341).

   Permits, Environmental Assessments and 401 Water Quality Certifications Issued

WATER OBSTRUCTIONS AND ENCROACHMENTS

   Northeast Regional Office:  Watershed Management Program, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0790.

   E48-397. Wildlands Conservancy, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049. Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District.

   To construct and maintain a stream restoration project in a 1,000-foot reach of Saucon Creek (HQ-CWF) and a 100-foot reach of a tributary to Saucon Creek (HQ-CWF) using natural stream channel design techniques for the purpose of improving channel stability, water quality and aquatic habitat. Work will include regrading of the channel and floodplain; establishment of riparian buffers; and the placement of in-stream structures including rock cross vanes and j-hooks.

   The project is located within the Saucon Valley Country Club beginning at Green Acres Drive and extending downstream approximately 1,000 feet (Hellertown, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 40° 33` 30", Longitude: 75° 21` 40"). (Subbasin: 2C)

   Southcentral Region:  Water Management Program Manager, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110, (717) 705-4707.

   E36-836: West Cocalico Township/Strickler/Greenville Roads: Norma Enck, 156B West Main Street, P. O. Box 244, Reinholds, PA 17569, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District.

   To remove 40.0 feet of 15.0-inch diameter SLCPP, 35.0 feet in length of 18.0-inch diameter SLCPP and to construct and maintain 195.0 feet in length of 18.0-inch SLCPP and 30.0 feet in length of 19.0-inch by 30.0-inch RCP for the purpose of relocating 205.0 feet of a UNT to Cocalico Creek (WWF) located at the intersection of Greenville and Strickler Roads (Womelsdorf, PA Quadrangle N:  22.67 inches; W:  3.52 inches, Latitude: 40° 15` 1.7"; N Longitude: 76° 9` 1.3" W) in West Cocalico Township, Lancaster County.

   E22-525: Jeffrey Haste, County Bridge No. 42, P. O. Box 1295, Harrisburg, PA 17108, Washington Township, Dauphin County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District.

   To remove an existing county Bridge No. 42 and to construct and maintain a single span reinforced concrete spread box beam bridge having a clear span of 80.5 feet and an underclearance of 13.3 feet and width of 30.88 feet across the Wiconisco Creek (WWF) located on Matterstown Road (T-595) approximately 0.2 mile west of its intersection with LR 22037 (Elizabethville, PA Quadrangle N:  9.85 inches; W:  12.35 inches, Latitude 40° 33` 15"; Longitude 76° 50` 11") in Washington Township, Dauphin County.

   E44-136: Municipal Authority of the Township of Union, P. O. Box 5625, Belleville, PA 17004-9701, Union Township, Mifflin County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District.

   To relocate and maintain an 8.0-inch PVC sanitary sewer line crossing Little Kishacoquillas Creek approximately 3.05 feet downstream (Belleville, PA Quadrangle N:  19.0 inches; W:  15.4 inches, Latitude: 40° 36` 17.5"; Longitude 77° 44` 08.5") of the SR 0305, Segment 0080, Offset 0000 Bridge over Little Kishacoquillas Creek in Union Township, Mifflin County, for the purpose of replacing the SR 0305, Segment 0080, Offset 0000 Bridge over Little Kishacoquillas Creek.

   E67-856: P.H. Glatfelter Company, Jackson Township, York County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District.

   To install and maintain approximately 480.0 feet of chain-link fencing in the floodway of Codorus Creek (WWF). The project is located at 228 South Main Street (Seven Valleys, PA Quadrangle N:  28.45 inches; W:  20.13 inches, Latitude: 39° 52` 17" N; Longitude: 76° 52` 22" W) in Jackson Township, York County. The purpose of the project is for site security.

   E01-281: R & J Builders, Inc., Gary Jackson, 50 Citizens Way, Suite 200, Frederick, MD 21701, Cumberland Township, Adams County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District.

   To fill in 0.06 acre of a de minimis wetland in order to construct a home located along the north side of Fairfield and Fairplay Roads (Fairfield, PA Quadrangle N:  13.5 inches; W:  2.75 inches, Latitude: 39° 49` 28"; Longitude: 77° 16` 11") in Cumberland Township, Adams County.

   Northcentral Region:  Water Management Program Manager, 208 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701, (570) 327-3636.

   E18-432. Castanea Township, 347 Nittany Road, Castanea, PA 17745. Castanea Township Lower Creek Road Development Project in the Bald Eagle Creek 100-year floodplains, in Castanea Township, Clinton County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District (Lock Haven, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 41° 07` 30.55"; Longitude: 77° 26` 26.31").

   The applicant proposes to remove existing structures and construct, operate and maintain new and additional public recreational facilities as a part of the development of the Lower Creek Road Park that is located within the 100-year floodplain of Bald Eagle Creek. New recreational facilities to be constructed are: (1) baseball field backstop; (2) outfield fence; (3) baseball team benches; (4) open-sided pavilion; (5) paved and stone parking areas; (6) walking trails; and (7) walking trail benches. The project is located along the western right-of-way of SR 0220 approximately 540-feet south of Lower Creek and Paul Mack Roads intersection. This permit does not authorize any wetland impact for any development, neither present nor future, of the Castanea Township Lower Creek Road Park. This permit was issued under Section 105.13(e) ''Small Projects.''

   E60-194. Anna W. Gelnett, 1701 Monroe Avenue, Lewisburg, PA 17837. Gelnett Cabin Job, in Hartley Township, Union County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District (Weikert, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 40° 51` 17.7"; Longitude: 77° 17` 32.5").

   To: 1) remove 15 existing 36-inch high house piers made of varying materials; 2) construct and maintain 15 12-inch diameter piers under a house with a first floor elevation of 726.5 feet in the left 100-year floodway of Penns Creek located at the second to last downstream cabin on Mitchell Lane. This permit was issued under Section 105.13(e) ''Small Projects.''

   Southwest Region:  Watershed Management Program Manager, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4745.

   E04-321. Beaver County Commissioners, 810 3rd Street, Beaver, PA 15009. To replace a bridge over Brush Run in South Beaver Township, Beaver County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District (New Galilee, PA Quadrangle N:  0.5 inch; W:  10.3 inches, Latitude: 40° 45` 11"; Longitude: 80° 26` 57"). To remove the existing structure (Sportsman's Club Bridge) and to construct and maintain a new concrete box culvert having a span of 12.0 feet with an underclearance of 7.5 feet (1.0 foot depressed below the natural stream bed) in and across the channel of and UNT to Brush Run (HQ-CWF) for the purpose of improving highway safety. The project is located on Martin Road (T-582), just north from the intersection of Martin Road (T-582) and Blackhawk Road (SR 0251) and will impact approximately 80.0 linear feet of stream channel.

   Northwest Region:  Watershed Management Program Manager, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, 16335.

   E16-134, Donald L. Shirey, 127 West Garfield Street, New Bethlehem, PA 16242. Private Residence in Floodway of Leisure Run, in New Bethlehem Borough, Clarion County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District (New Bethlehem, PA Quadrangle N:  41° 00` 14"; W:  79° 19` 43").

   To complete construction and maintain a private residence and associated grading and landscaping within the assumed right floodway (50 feet from top of bank) of Leisure Run extending approximately 175 feet upstream from Penn Street.

   E20-566, Stanley and Darlene Bradshaw. Stream Restoration UNT Woodcock Creek, in Woodcock Township, Crawford County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District (Blooming Valley, PA Quadrangle N:  41° 40` 52.4"; W:  80° 4` 9.5").

   The applicant proposes construct and maintain an approximately 1,400-foot long stream restoration project of a UNT Woodcock Creek (Blooming Valley, PA Quadrangle N:  41° 40` 52.4"; W:  80° 4` 9.5") in Woodcock Township, Crawford County approximately 0.6 mile North of the intersection of SR 77 and Bradshaw Road involving: 1) to construct three stream relocations having a total length of 300 feet; 2) to construct two floodplain excavations removing 475 cubic yards of material and having a total length of 400 feet; 3) to establish a vegetated riparian buffer; 4) to construct rock crossvane structures; 5) to construct a ford crossing with cow slats; 6) to install stream bank fencing; and 7) to establish wetlands adjacent to the stream. The UNT Woodcock Creek is a perennial stream classified as a HQ-WWF.

   E25-721, Universal Well Services, Inc., 16540 Route 8, Union City, PA 16438-9108. Eastern Reservoir Services Development, in Union Township, Erie County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District (Union City, PA Quadrangle N:  41° 53` 09"; W:  79° 50` 45").

   The applicant proposes to construct and maintain an expansion of an existing facility including a 7,600 square foot building, associated parking and staging areas, utilities and stormwater management facilities approximately 1,000 feet SE of the intersection of SR 6 and SR 8 (Union City, PA Quadrangle N:  41° 53` 09"; W:  79° 50` 45") in Union Township, Erie County involving to fill 0.24 acre of PEM wetlands and to construct 0.27 acre of PSS wetland onsite. The applicant proposes to directly impact 0.24 acre of PEM wetland onsite.

   E37-176, Mahoning Township, 4538 West State Street, Hillsville, PA 16132. Mahoning Township WWTP and Sewer Line Project, in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District (Edinburg, PA Quadrangle N:  40.0081°; W:  80.4678°).

   The applicant proposes to construct and maintain a 0.36 mgd wastewater treatment plant and a sewage collection system consisting of grinder pumps, lift stations, gravity lines and low-pressure sewers and having a length of approximately 102,000 feet to correct malfunctioning onlot systems in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County (Edinburg, PA Quadrangle N:  40.0081°; W:  80.4678°) involving to construct and maintain: 1) an approximately 150-foot long sewer line stream crossing of the Mahoning River (inverted siphon pipe consisting of 6-inch diameter pipe and a 10-inch diameter pipe) by open trenching or directional bore; 2) 26 sewer line stream crossings of UNTs to the Mahoning River; 3) four sewer line wetland crossings; 4) an outfall having a 1.5-foot diameter ductile iron pipe; and 5) to permanently fill 0.04 acre of wetland for construction of a wastewater treatment plant approximately 250 feet SW of the intersection of SR 224 and SR 551. The Mahoning River and tributaries are classified as WWF.

DAM SAFETY

   Central Office:  Bureau of Waterways Engineering, 400 Market Street, Floor 3, P. O. Box 8554, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8554.

   D45-291. Pleasant Valley Estates Dam. Pleasant Valley Estates Civic Association, Inc., c/o Thomas Milewski, R. R. 4, Box 4336, Kunkletown, PA 18058. To reconstruct, operate and maintain the Pleasant Valley Estates Dam across a tributary to Jonas Creek (EV), impacting 0.01 acre of wetlands (PEM) with no proposed impacts to the stream channel, for the purpose of reconstructing the previously breached dam to restore the approximate 6-acre recreational lake (Pohopoco Mountain, PA Quadrangle N:  15.2 inches; W:  1.7 inches) in Polk Township, Monroe County.


SPECIAL NOTICES

Notice of Planning Grant Awards under section 901 of the Municipal Waste Planning Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988, Act 101

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces the following grants to counties under the Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988, Act 101, P. L. 556, section 901 and section 208 of the Waste Tire Recycling Act/Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Act (Act 190 of 1996).

   Planning grants are awarded to counties for 80% of approved costs for preparing municipal waste management plans as required by Act 101, for carrying out related studies, surveys, investigations, inquiries, research and analysis, including those related to siting, environmental mediation, education programs on pollution prevention and household hazardous waste and providing technical assistance to small businesses for pollution prevention. Grants may be awarded for feasibility studies and project development for municipal waste processing or disposal facilities, except for facilities for the combustion of municipal waste that are not proposed to be operated for the recovery of energy. All grant awards are predicated on the receipt of recycling fees required by sections 701 and 702 of Act 101 and the availability of monies in the Recycling Fund.

   Inquiries regarding the grant offerings should be directed to Sally Lohman, Chief, Waste Planning Section, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Management, Division of Waste Minimization and Planning, P. O. Box 8472, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472.

Act 101, Section 901 Planning Grant

Region    County    Applicant Project Description Grant Award
Southeast
Northeast
Southcentral
Northcentral
Southwest Somerset
Fayette
Somerset County
Fayette County
   Plan Revision
   Plan Revision
   $79,881
   $42,070
Northwest

Bureau of Mine Safety

Approval of Request For Variance

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Bureau of Mine Safety (BMS) has approved RoxCoal, Inc.'s request for a variance from the requirements of section 242(c) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act (act) at the Kimberly Run Mine. This notification contains a summary of this request and the basis for the Department's approval. A complete copy of the variance request may be obtained from Cathy Dunn by calling (724) 439-7469 or from the BMS web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us/deepminesafety/site/default.asp.

   Summary of the Request: RoxCoal, Inc. requested a variance from section 242(c) of the act to allow for the common ventilation of belt conveyor entry with other entries at the Kimberly Run Mine. The proposal accords protections to persons and property substantially equal to or greater than the requirements set forth in the act.

   The basis for the Bureau's approval is summarized as follows:

   The investigation committee has reviewed the section 702 variance and compared it to the Bureau of Mine Safety Guidelines. The section 702 variance request submitted for Kimberly Run Mine meets the Bureau of Mine Safety Guidelines. Most importantly, as detailed in this report, protections will be provided to the employees that meet or exceed the protections under the existing requirement. Specifically, these protections are provided by Federal Fire Protection Standards (30 CFR 75.1100), Federal Fire Defense and Evacuation Plan, installation of a CO Monitoring system according to Federal Standard (30 CFR 75.351), ease of access to the belt line for maintenance and inspection purposes, the requirement to maintain the intake escapeway entry at a higher ventilation pressure than the belt entry according to Federal Standard 30 CFR 75.350(7)(c)(d) and the requirement to maintain the integrity of the primary intake escapeway according to Federal Standard (30 CFR 75.380). Since CO monitoring has been widely implemented by the industry, many fires and hazardous conditions have been detected early, thus greatly enhancing the safety of the workplace.

   This approval is limited to a variance from the requirements in section 242(c) requiring that the belt entry is isolated from other entries. All other terms and requirements of section 242(c) shall remain in effect. Continued authorization for operation under the approval is contingent upon compliance with the measures described in the plan and the following conditions:

   1.  The investigative committee shall conduct an underground ventilation survey when the belt and common entries are established to verify pressure differential between the intake escapeway and the common entries.

   2.  The investigative committee shall evaluate the visual and audible alarms during the installation process.

   3.  The operator must ascertain whether or not the belt compounds used in the mine produce CO when burnt. Should the operator use a non-CO producing compound in the mine, additional sensors must be used in conjunction with the CO detectors to provide the early warning benefits of the monitoring system.

   4.  The operator shall comply with the Federal Fire Defense and Evacuation Plan and the following Federal Standards:

30 CFR 75.350(7)(c)(d)
30 CFR 75.351
30 CFR 75.380
30 CFR 75.1100

Request for Comment and Notice of Public Meeting For the Proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Nesquehoning Creek Watershed in Carbon and Schuylkill Counties

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is holding a public meeting on September 10, 2008, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Pottsville District Office in Pottsville, PA to discuss and accept comments on a proposed TMDL. The proposed TMDL was established in accordance with the requirements of the 1996 section 303(d) of The Clean Water Act. The Nesquehoning Creek Watershed has been identified as impaired on the 1996 Pennsylvania 303(d) list due to high concentrations of metals.

   The proposed plan provides calculations of the stream's total capacity to accept metals (aluminum, iron and manganese) and pH, and maintain levels below water quality criteria. The applicable water quality criteria are as follows:

Criterion Total Recoverable/
Parametervalue (mg/l)Dissolved
Aluminum 0.75 Total Recoverable
Iron 1.5 Total Recoverable
Manganese 1.00 Total Recoverable
pH 6.0--9.0 N/A

   The primary pollutant source for the watershed is abandoned mine workings. This watershed was heavily mined for coal in the 19th and 20th centuries. The effects of this are still present. The TMDL consists of load allocations, which are made to nonpoint sources of pollution and waste load allocations, which are made to permitted point sources.

   The TMDL was developed using Monte Carlo Simulation to determine long-term average concentrations that each stream segment could accept and still meet water quality criteria 99% of the time. Monte Carlo Simulation allows for the expansion of a dataset based on its statistical makeup. Since there was no critical flow condition where criteria were exceeded, the Department used the average flow to express the loading values in the TMDL.

   The TMDL sets allowable loading rates for metals, sediment and acidity at specified points in the watershed. The basis of information used in the establishment of this TMDL is field data between 2005 and 2008.

   The data and all supporting information used to develop the proposed TMDL are available from the Department. To request a copy of the proposed TMDL and an information sheet, contact James Andrews at (570) 621-3118 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Pottsville District Mining Office, 5 West Laurel Boulevard, Pottsville, PA 17901. E-mail will be received at jameandrew@state.pa.us. Directions to the meeting place can also be obtained through this contact.

   The TMDL can be viewed and printed by accessing the Department's web site at www.dep.state.pa.us (PA Keyword: TMDL).

   Written comments will be accepted at the previous address and must be postmarked by October 23, 2008. Persons who plan to make a presentation at the public meeting should notify the Department no later than 4 p.m. Friday, September 5th. The Department will consider all comments in developing the final TMDL, which will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval.

Request for Comment and Notice of Public Meeting For the Proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Pine Creek Watershed in Dauphin and Schuylkill Counties

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is holding a public meeting on September 10, 2008, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Pottsville District Office in Pottsville, PA to discuss and accept comments on a proposed TMDL. The proposed TMDL was established in accordance with the requirements of the 1996 section 303(d) of The Clean Water Act. The Pine Creek Watershed has been identified as impaired on the 1996 Pennsylvania 303(d) list due to high concentrations of metals.

   The proposed plan provides calculations of the stream's total capacity to accept metals (aluminum, iron and manganese) and pH and maintain levels below water quality criteria. The applicable water quality criteria are as follows:

CriterionTotal Recoverable/
Parametervalue (mg/l)Dissolved
Aluminum 0.75 Total Recoverable
Iron 1.5 Total Recoverable
Manganese 1.00 Total Recoverable
pH 6.0--9.0 N/A

   The primary pollutant source for the watershed is abandoned mine workings. This watershed was heavily mined for coal in the 19th and 20th centuries. The effects of this are still present. The TMDL consists of load allocations, which are made to nonpoint sources of pollution and waste load allocations, which are made to permitted point sources.

   The TMDL was developed using Monte Carlo Simulation to determine long-term average concentrations that each stream segment could accept and still meet water quality criteria 99% of the time. Monte Carlo Simulation allows for the expansion of a dataset based on its statistical makeup. Since there was no critical flow condition where criteria were exceeded, the Department used the average flow to express the loading values in the TMDL.

   The TMDL sets allowable loading rates for metals, sediment and acidity at specified points in the watershed.

   The data and all supporting information used to develop the proposed TMDL are available from the Department. To request a copy of the proposed TMDL and an information sheet, contact James Andrews at (570) 621-3118 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Pottsville District Mining Office, 5 West Laurel Boulevard, Pottsville, PA 17901. E-mail will be received at jameandrew@state.pa.us. Directions to the meeting place can also be obtained through this contact.

   The TMDL can be viewed and printed by accessing the Department's web site at www.dep.state.pa.us (PA Keyword: TMDL).

   Written comments will be accepted at the previous address and must be postmarked by October 23, 2008. Persons who plan to make a presentation at the public meeting should notify the Department no later than 4 p.m. Friday, September 5th. The Department will consider all comments in developing the final TMDL, which will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval.

Request for Comment and Notice of Public Meeting For the Proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Shade Creek Watershed in
Somerset County

   Cambria District Mining Office: 286 Industrial Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931.

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is holding a public meeting on September 3, 2008, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Cambria District Office in Ebensburg, PA to discuss and accept comments on a proposed TMDL. The proposed TMDL was established in accordance with the requirements of the 1996 section 303(d) of The Clean Water Act. One stream segment in the Shade Creek Watershed, one segment in the Dark Shade Creek Watershed, and one segment in the UNT to Dark Shade Creek Watershed have been identified as impaired on the 1996 Pennsylvania 303(d) list due to high concentrations of metals; additional segments were identified in 1998, 2002, 2004 and 2006. The listed segment and miles degraded are shown in the following table:

Stream CodeStream NameMiles Degraded
45270Shade Creek9.62
45330Dark Shade Crreek6.41
45354UNT to Dark Shade Creek0.60

   The proposed plan provides calculations of the stream's total capacity to accept metals (aluminum, iron and manganese) and pH and maintain levels below water quality criteria. The applicable water quality criteria are as follows:

Criterion Total Recoverable/
Parametervalue (mg/l)Dissolved
Aluminum 0.75 Total Recoverable
Iron 1.5 Total Recoverable
Manganese 1.00 Total Recoverable
pH 6.0--9.0 N/A

   The primary pollutant source for the watershed is abandoned mine workings. This watershed was heavily mined for coal in the 20th century. The effects of this are still present. The TMDL consists of load allocations, which are made to nonpoint sources of pollution and waste load allocations, which are made to permitted point sources.

   The TMDL was developed using Monte Carlo Simulation to determine long-term average concentrations that each stream segment could accept and still meet water quality criteria 99% of the time. Monte Carlo Simulation allows for the expansion of a dataset based on its statistical makeup. Since there was no critical flow condition where criteria were exceeded, the Department used the average flow to express the loading values in the TMDL.

   The TMDL sets allowable loading rates for metals, sediment and acidity at specified points in the watershed. The basis of information used in the establishment of this TMDL is field data between 2004 and 2007.

   The data and all supporting information used to develop the proposed TMDL are available from the Department. To request a copy of the proposed TMDL and an information sheet, contact Jeff Miller at (814) 472-1893 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Cambria District Mining Office, 286 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931. E-mail will be received at jeffreymil@state.pa.us. Directions to the meeting place can also be obtained through this contact.

   The TMDL can be viewed and printed by accessing the Department's web site at www.dep.state.pa.us (PA Keyword: TMDL).

   Written comments will be accepted at the previous address and must be postmarked by October 22, 2008. Persons who plan to make a presentation at the public meeting should notify the Department no later than 3 p.m. Friday, August 29th. The Department will consider all comments in developing the final TMDL, which will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-1596. Filed for public inspection August 29, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]



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