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WaterNews for September 30, 1999WaterNews is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water. Inside this week's WaterNews: 1) Administrator Browner Announces Elimination of Mixing Zones for Toxic Chemicals in the Great Lakes2) October 2 Is National Estuaries Day 3) Additional Public Comment Period on the Proposed TMDL Rule 1) Administrator Browner Announces Elimination of Mixing Zones for Toxic Chemicals in the Great LakesTo protect public health and help restore the Great Lakes, EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner proposed to significantly reduce direct discharges of the most toxic chemicals into the Great Lakes. The chemicals, referred to as "bioaccumulative chemicals of concern" (BCCs), include mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, dioxin, chlordane, DDT and mirex. The proposal seeks to phase out the discharges of BCCs into "mixing zones" - areas of the Lakes where discharges of toxic chemicals are allowed to mix with receiving waters and dilute. Today's proposal would prohibit new discharges of BCCs into mixing zones in the Great Lakes Basin and would phase out the use of existing mixing zones for BCCs in the Great Lakes Basin over ten years. In addition, Administrator Browner challenged states across the country to follow the lead of the Great Lakes states in phasing-out toxic mixing zones for BCCs. The Administrator also charged EPA staff to work with partners to examine a potential nation-wide phase-out. EPA will take public comment on the proposed mixing zone phase-out for 60 days. Information on the proposed rule is available at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/GLI on the Internet. 2) October 2 Is National Estuaries DayA variety of recreational and educational activities are being offered in local communities across the country in celebration of National Estuaries Day, Saturday, October 2. The National Estuary Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System are coordinating many of the events to highlight the importance of estuaries as coastal resources. These unique environments where fresh water meets salt water serve as nursery grounds for two-thirds of the fish and shellfish consumed by Americans; improve water quality by filtering pollutants; act as buffers to protect shorelines from erosion and flooding; provide essential food and habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife; and are the sites of ports, marinas and commercial shipping activities.National Estuaries Day festivities are being tailored to local communities. Some communities are sponsoring canoe trips, nature walks and bike tours, while others are hosting coastal clean-ups, special exhibits and guest presentations. Information about specific National Estuaries Day events is available at http://www.epa.gov/owow/estuaries/estday.htm on the Internet. 3) Additional Public Comment Period on the Proposed TMDL RuleIn response to requests from a variety of stakeholders, EPA has agreed to extend the public comment period on the proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rules by 60 days. The comment period will now end on December 22, 1999. To view the rules, see WaterNews from August 19, 1999 or visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl on the Internet.TRY OUR OTHER WEBSITES:Information on how to disinfect water after an emergency is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html on the Internet.Please forward this message to your friends and colleagues who share an interest in water-related issues and would like to hear from EPA's Office of Water. To subscribe to the WaterNews listserve:
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