The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is seeking public comment during a 30-day period beginning May 23 for the Total Maximum Daily Load implementation plan. 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.The TMDL addresses bacteria in the Upper Texas Coast in the counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston and Harris counties.

The TCEQ will conduct two meetings to receive comments on the draft TMDLs on Monday, June 9, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at Clear Lake Park Meeting Room, 5001 NASA Road 1 in Clear Lake and on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at White Memorial Park, Whites Park Exhibit Hall, 225 Whites Memorial Drive in Hankamer.

The meetings provide the public an opportunity to comment on the six draft TMDLs. The commission requests comment on the TMDLs. After the public comment period, TCEQ staff may revise them, if appropriate. The final document will then be considered for approval by the commission. Upon commission approval, the TMDL and a response to public comments will be made available on the TCEQ Web site.

As required by §303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act, six TMDLs were developed for the Upper Texas Coast due to elevated levels of fecal coliform. Final TMDLs will be adopted by the commission, and subsequently approved by the EPA, as an update to the State Water Quality Management Plan.

More information on the project and the draft TMDL is available online: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/water/tmdl/74-uppercoastoyster.html or to receive a copy call 512-239-6682.

Written comments should be submitted to Casey Johnson, TCEQ, Water Programs Division, MC 203, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, and TX, 78711-3087 or faxed to 512-239-1414. All comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., June 21, 2008 and should reference, Six Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in Waters of the Upper Gulf Coast.