NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING AND REQUEST FOR COMMENT

For the Proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Watershed in Columbia, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) will hold a public meeting to discuss and accept comments on the proposed TMDL for the Mahanoy Creek Watershed in Columbia, Northumberland, and Schuylkill Counties. The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2003 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Girardville Borough Hall in Girardville, Pennsylvania. Individuals who plan to make a presentation at the public meeting should contact Chuck Yingling at 717-783-2300 or by [email protected] no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2003. The Department will consider all comments in developing the final TMDL for this watershed, which will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval.

The proposed TMDL for the Mahanoy Creek Watershed was established in accordance with the requirements of Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. Four stream segments in the Mahanoy Creek Watershed have been identified as impaired on the 1996 and 1998 Pennsylvania 303(d) list due to depressed pH and/or high concentrations of metals. One stream segment has been identified as impaired in the 2002 305(b) report due to high concentrations of metals. The listed segments and miles degraded are shown in the following table:

Stream Code Stream Name Miles Degraded 17556 Mahanoy Creek 53.66 17683 Shenandoah Creek 4.66 17670 Crab Run 1.3 17639 Zerbe Run 5.8 17673 Unt. Mahanoy Creek 2.3

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

Parameter Criterion value (mg/l) Total Recoverable/ Dissolved Aluminum 0.75 Total Recoverable Iron 1.5 30-Day Average Total 0.3 Recoverable Dissolved Manganese 1.00 Total Recoverable PH 6.0-9.0 NA

The primary pollutant source for the watershed is abandoned mine workings. This watershed was heavily mined for in the late 19th to mid 20th centuries. The effects of this are still present. All of the allocations made in the TMDL are load allocations (LA), which are made to nonpoint sources of pollution.

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 data set 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 and acidity at specified points in the watershed. Field data collected from 1985 – 2002 was used to establish the proposed TMDL for the Mahanoy Creek Watershed. Data and all supporting information used to develop the proposed TMDL for the Mahanoy Creek Watershed is available from the Department.

The Department will accept written comments on the proposed TMDL for the Mahanoy Creek Watershed. Comments will not be accepted by facsimile or voice mail. All written comments, which will be considered by the Department in developing the final TMDL, must be postmarked by February 12, 2003 and sent to:

Chuck Yingling Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Office of Water Management Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17105.

To request a copy of the proposed TMDL and associated information or to obtain directions to the Girardville Borough Hall meeting place, please contact Chuck Yingling at the phone number or e-mail address indicated above.

The proposed TMDL for the Mahanoy Creek Watershed can be accessed through the department’s website (http://www.dep.state.pa.us) by typing “TMDL” in the direct link field, and clicking GO. Persons with a disability who require accommodations to attend this meeting should contact the Department at 717-783-2300 or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay service at 1- 800-654-5984 (TDD users) or 1-800-654-5988 (voice users) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.