Review of Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-4837-7]

Review of Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This document provides opportunity for comment on the proposed

Stage 1 Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) for Lake Superior. This Stage 1

LaMP, when finalized, will serve to satisfy the obligations of the

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) under

Section 118 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). It also serves as a report on

progress under the Binational Program to Restore and Protect Lake

Superior. This proposed LaMP was developed through a binational process

involving EPA, Environment Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the

States of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin under the ongoing

implementation of the Binational Program. EPA puts forward this

proposed LaMP for public comment in the United States on behalf of the

agencies involved in the Binational Program.

The proposed Lake Superior LaMP describes a selected list of

Critical Pollutants causing or contributing to adverse impacts on the

Lake Superior ecosystem based on information available as of January 1,

1991, and informs the public of the variety of actions that Federal,

State, Provincial, Tribal, and local governments and private

organizations are taking, will take, or could take to reduce the amount

of these pollutants entering the waters of the Lake Superior System. In

addition, the proposed Lake Superior LaMP proposes candidate Critical

Pollutants for evaluation in future revisions of the LaMP. Due to its

length and format, the proposed Lake Superior LaMP is summarized in

this notice, rather than published in full. As described in this

notice, EPA is making copies of the entire LaMP available to the

public. Furthermore, EPA is soliciting comments on all aspects of the

proposed LaMP. In particular, EPA seeks comments regarding the proposed

list of Critical Pollutants for Lake Superior, the proposed list of

causal pollutants (candidate Critical Pollutants) and the actions

available to Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as the public,

to reduce the release of Critical Pollutants from all sources and the

presence of these substances in the waters of the Lake Superior System.

DATES: EPA will accept comment on the proposed Lake Superior LaMP until

May 16, 1994. Comments received after this date may not be considered.

In addition, EPA has considered materials submitted by the public prior

to today's notice in the development of the proposed LaMP. These

materials contain comments on draft elements that have been superseded

by today's proposal and EPA will not consider them in the development

of the final LaMP. Further, EPA cannot ensure consideration of comments

submitted to other agencies or entities other than EPA in the

development of the final LaMP. Accordingly, EPA advises the public that

for the purposes of exhaustion of administrative remedies, all comments

must be submitted to EPA based on today's notice.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the proposed Lake Superior LaMP please

contact Jeanette Morris-Collins, Environmental Protection Assistant,

Water Quality Branch, U.S. EPA, Region 5 (WQ-16J), 77 West Jackson

Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, 60604, (telephone: 312-886-0152). Copies of

the proposed Lake Superior LaMP may also be obtained from the following

offices: Jean Hude, Michigan DNR, Surface Water Quality Division, P.O.

Box 30273, Lansing, Michigan, 48909, Telephone: 517-335-6970; Carrie

Losi-Hansen, Minnesota PCA, Division of Water Quality, 520 Lafayette

Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155, Telephone: 612-296-9134; Danielle

Valvasorri, Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Water Resources, P.O. Box 7021,

Madison, WI, 53707, Telephone: 608-266-9276.

The proposed Lake Superior LaMP will also be available for viewing

by the public at the following locations:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 Library, 77 W.

Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, 60604 (312-886-9056).

Michigan: Library of Michigan, Government Documents Service, 717

West Allegan, Lansing, Michigan, 48909 (517-373-1300); Detroit Public

Library, Sociology and Economics Department, 5201 Woodward Avenue,

Detroit, Michigan, 48902 (313-833-1440).

Minnesota: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Library, 320

Lafayette, St. Paul, Minnesota (612-296-7719).

Wisconsin: Water Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison,

2nd floor, 1975 Willow Drive, Madison, Wisconsin (608-2620-3069).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan M. Gilbertson, Project Manager,

Water Quality Branch, U.S. EPA, Region 5 (WQ-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd.,

Chicago, Illinois, 60604 (telephone: 312-353-2190).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

In Article VI, Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

(GLWQA), as amended in 1987, the United States and Canadian Governments

agreed to develop and implement Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) for

each of the five Great Lakes. EPA interprets LaMPs as management tools

designed to: (1) Integrate Federal, State and local programs to reduce

loadings of toxic substances (including discharges from point and

nonpoint sources); (2) assess whether these programs will ensure

attainment of water quality standards and beneficial uses; and (3)

recommend any media-specific program enhancements necessary to reduce

toxic loadings in waters currently not attaining water quality

standards and/or beneficial uses. LaMPs provide an opportunity for

regulatory authorities to design cost-effective approaches for meeting

water quality standards and/or beneficial uses.

EPA believes the primary goal of LaMPs is to reduce both point and

nonpoint source loadings and ambient levels of critical pollutants,

those pollutants which are causing, or have the potential to cause,

exceedances of water quality standards or impairments of beneficial

uses of the Great Lakes. By addressing pollutants that might impair

waters that currently meet water quality standards and/or beneficial

uses, LaMPs incorporate a pollution prevention approach. Traditional

regulatory programs, as well as non-traditional voluntary programs, are

considered in the LaMP process.

EPA intends to periodically update LaMPs to reflect progress in

implementing media-specific programs and attendant reductions in

loadings of Critical Pollutants, to incorporate advances in the

understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem based on new data and

information, and to include any necessary program specific adjustments.

When finalized, EPA intends the Lake Superior LaMP to serve as the

basis for development and submission of State Water Quality Management

Plans (WQM Plans) developed in accordance with sections 208 and 303(b)

of the CWA, as implemented through the requirements of 40 CFR 130.6.

These WQM plans establish a process for continuing water quality

planning which focuses on priority issues and geographic areas and on

the development of water quality controls leading to implementation

measures. Such plans draw on water quality assessments to identify

priority point and nonpoint water quality problems, consider

alternative solutions and recommend control measures. In this way, EPA

and the States will ensure reasonable progress in the overall

improvement of Great Lakes water quality and attainment of water

quality standards and beneficial uses. Further, EPA expects any new

loadings data obtained during the development of LaMPs to be

incorporated by the States when establishing or revising Total Maximum

Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Waste Load Allocations (WLAs) for waters of the

Great Lakes System.

LaMP development for Lake Superior began as a component of the Bi-

National Program to Restore and Protect the Lake Superior Basin. Lake

Superior has not experienced the intense development, urbanization and

pollution characteristic of the lower Great Lakes and has remained

relatively pristine. The Program recognizes the unique, relatively

pristine nature of the Lake Superior ecosystem and the commitment of

the Federal, State and Provincial governments to developing new and

innovative approaches to pollution prevention and zero discharge of

certain persistent, bioaccumulative toxic pollutants. The focus of the

Lake Superior LaMP, therefore, is on using Lake Superior as a

demonstration area for new and innovative approaches to pollution

prevention and zero discharge.

II. Binational Program to Restore and Protect Lake Superior

On September 30, 1991, the United States Environmental Protection

Agency, Environment Canada, the States of Michigan, Minnesota and

Wisconsin, and the Province of Ontario announced the ``Binational

Program to Restore and Protect the Lake Superior Basin''. This program

represents the response of the Federal, State and Provincial

governments to the recommendation of the International Joint Commission

that ``* * * [Lake Superior be designated] as a demonstration area

where no point source discharge of any persistent toxic substance be

permitted''.

This Binational Program encompasses two major areas. The first is a

zero discharge demonstration program devoted to the goal of achieving

zero discharge or emission of nine designated persistent toxic

substances. The second is a broader program of identifying beneficial

use impairments, and restoring and protecting the Lake Superior Basin

ecosystem. The ultimate goal of the Lake Superior Binational Program is

to protect, and where necessary, restore the integrity of Lake

Superior's ecosystem through pollution prevention, enhanced regulatory

measures, and remedial programs.

The goal of the Lake Superior zero discharge demonstration program

is ``to achieve zero discharge and zero emission of certain designated

persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances, which may degrade the

ecosystem of the Lake Superior Basin''. This goal is to be pursued

through actions in three key areas--waters of the Lake Superior Basin

will be designated for special protection and antidegradation

requirements, and reductions in existing loadings will be achieved

through both voluntary pollution prevention actions and enhanced

control and regulatory efforts.

In the United States, the Binational Program commits the State

Governments of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin to designate

appropriate areas of the Lake Superior Basin as Lake Superior

Outstanding International Resource Waters (LS-OIRW), or as Lake

Superior Outstanding National Resource Waters (LS-ONRW). Under the LS-

OIRW designation, increased discharges of designated persistent

bioaccumulative toxic pollutants will not be allowed without an

adequate antidegradation demonstration which includes application of

best technology for process and treatment. Under the LS-ONRW

designation, any new or increased discharges of designated persistent

bioaccumulative pollutants from point sources will be prohibited. EPA

included provisions for the LS-ONRW and LS-OIRW designations in the

proposed Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance (58 FR 20803) on behalf of

the Lake Superior States. EPA anticipates publishing the final Guidance

in the Federal Register by March 13, 1995.

In the United States, it is the goal of the Clean Water Act that

the discharge of pollutants to the waters of the nation be eliminated.

(Pub. L. 92-500, as amended by Pub. L. 100-4) Further, it is national

policy that the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts be

prohibited, and that programs be developed and implemented to meet the

goals of the Act through the control of both point and nonpoint sources

of pollution. Over the last twenty years, tremendous progress has been

made in improving the water quality of the Great Lakes System, and

encouraging continued progress towards zero discharge of pollutants to

the waters of the Great Lakes System.

To ensure such progress continues, the United States commits to

improved point source and nonpoint source controls through upgraded

technology based requirements and water quality standard requirements,

implementation of best management practices, and application of

technology based air emission standards to ensure achievement of water

quality criteria, including air emission standards for Great Lakes

pollutants of concern.

Pollution prevention measures are the preferred approach to

eliminate or further reduce persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances

at their sources. In the United States, the Pollution Prevention Act of

1990 declares as national policy that pollution prevention is the

preferred approach to environmental protection (United States Public

Law 101-508). When preventing pollution is not feasible, recycling in

an environmentally safe manner is the next preferred option, followed

by treatment. Disposal or other release into the environment should be

the management option of last resort, and should only be done in an

environmentally protective manner.

A comprehensive multi-media pollution prevention strategy has been

developed by EPA and Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The strategy

focuses on the nine designated zero discharge pollutants and identifies

sources and pollution prevention alternatives for reducing loadings

from these sources. Implementation of the strategy encompasses

technical assistance, education, special programs, legislative and

regulatory recommendations, and financial incentives.

EPA views LaMPs as dynamic, action-oriented processes encompassing

a number of components. These include an evaluation of beneficial use

impairments and pollutants contributing to those impairments; a summary

of sources and loads of these critical pollutants; identification of

ongoing prevention, control and remediation actions as well as

additional efforts needed to reduce pollutant loads and restore

beneficial uses; and monitoring activities to evaluate the

effectiveness of program actions. This approach for developing and

implementing LaMPs is an evolutionary and iterative process for

identifying and reducing loadings of Critical Pollutants from all

sources.

While the focus of a LaMP is on toxic pollutants, the Federal,

State and Provincial agencies participating in the LaMPs recognize that

issues associated with beneficial use impairments, such as habitat

quality and quantity, and endangered or threatened species, are

significant factors in addressing the overall ecological health of the

Great Lakes System. As the Lake Superior LaMP develops, participating

Agencies will identify opportunities for addressing these issues in

conjunction with toxic load reduction activities. In this manner the

LaMP for Lake Superior will further the broader goal of the Binational

Program of identifying beneficial use impairments, and restoring and

protecting the Lake Superior Basin ecosystem.

Certain elements of this broader program are already underway,

including a Binational Habitat Project to identify and rank critical

habitat sites for protection and restoration, and special designations

establishing protected management areas such as parks, reserves, and

wildlife refuges.

III. Management Process

The development and implementation of LaMPs is an enormous

undertaking in terms of the technical complexity of the issues, the

geographic scope encompassed by the LaMP, and the extensive

coordination required amongst Federal, Provincial, State, Tribal and

local governments, and the public. EPA and the participating agencies

believe LaMPs should be developed with full participation by all

interested parties.

The Binational Program management structure serves as the

management framework for the Lake Superior LaMP. The Binational Program

is directed by the Lake Superior Task Force, a steering committee

comprised of senior managers of Federal, Provincial, State and Tribal

agencies. The Task Force is responsible for: (1) Providing overall

policy direction to the program, defining program priorities and

ensuring program implementation through application of all relevant

programmatic and statutory authorities; (2) convening technical work

groups composed of Federal, State, Provincial and other representatives

as necessary to develop recommendations for actions; (3) reviewing and

approving the LaMP or specific elements of it, technical workgroup

products, and recommendations; (4) ensuring public participation and

review; and (5) securing resources to support LaMP development and

implementation.

The Lake Superior Workgroup (SWG), comprised of technical and

scientific staff, reports to the Task Force and is responsible for

program implementation.

The Lake Superior Forum is a public participation group consisting

of 22 U.S. and Canadian members from academia, industry,

municipalities, environmental organizations and concerned citizens

representative of basin stakeholders.

Public participation in the development and implementation of the

Binational Program is accomplished through three tiers of activity: (1)

General public education through workshops, public presentations, and

the distribution of fact sheets and other written materials, (2) public

notices to provide the opportunity for broad public review of the LaMP

and progress on implementation on an ongoing basis; and (3) the Lake

Superior Forum. Representatives of the Forum are invited to: (1)

Participate as observers in both Task Force and technical-level

committee meetings; (2) develop recommendations for Task Force and

Workgroup consideration; and, (3) comment on recommendations and

documents of the Binational Program. The Forum does not substitute for

the activities described in tiers 1 or 2. Forum members are encouraged

to be representative of various constituencies within the Basin, and to

provide the Task Force with their views and concerns on Binational

Program activities.

IV. Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan

The proposed Lake Superior LaMP embodies a process for implementing

an ecosystem-focussed approach to environmental protection. The process

consists of the following steps:

(1) Monitoring the environment and reviewing available data to

determine existing ecological or use impairments and any potential

threats to the Lake Superior System;

(2) Identifying the pollutants associated with impairments or

threats;

(3) Identifying the sources of these pollutants;

(4) Measuring or estimating the quantity of pollutants being

released by those sources and the amount reaching the waters of the

Lake Superior System (i.e., the ``loading'' of the pollutants);

(5) Establishing load reduction targets that will allow for the

restoration and protection of the ecological health of the Lake

Superior ecosystem;

(6) Developing and implementing specific strategies to reduce the

levels of pollutant loadings and/or ambient levels in the waters of the

Lake Superior System;

(7) Monitoring reductions from pollutant sources;

(8) Evaluating ecosystem response, through monitoring of ecosystem

indicators, in order to measure progress towards restoration of

beneficial uses and ecosystem health and integrity, and to detect

emerging problems; and,

(9) Revising the LaMP to reflect the results of load reduction

actions, incorporate additional data on the status of beneficial use

impairments and identify the next series of priority actions.

The development and implementation of a Lakewide Management Plan is

an iterative process, a series of actions leading to environmental

improvements and protection and restoration of beneficial uses. EPA and

the binational partners view the LaMP as a series of dynamic,

interrelated actions, rather than a static document. As more

information becomes available, additional load reduction activities

will be initiated by the participating agencies. As the effectiveness

of ongoing efforts are evaluated, EPA and the participating agencies

will establish new priorities as appropriate. The Agency believes

development and implementation of the LaMP will enhance the ability of

participating agencies to respond to emerging environmental problems

quickly and effectively. Activities underway through the LaMP are not

necessarily sequential; activities specific to each step likely will be

ongoing simultaneously.

Acquisition of more complete information regarding the association

between critical pollutants and beneficial uses, sources and loads of

pollutants, and achievement of ecosystem objectives will be a long-term

process. The binational partners intend to move forward by reducing

pollutant loads while simultaneously improving their understanding of

the relationships between beneficial use impairments and pollutant

loadings and sources. This refinement will be realized through more

comprehensive data management, research, and monitoring efforts.

Finally, the LaMP will improve the environmental protection efforts

of the participating agencies by:

Providing a lakewide context for activities undertaken in

support of the Great Lakes program in order to facilitate efforts

focussed on the entire basin or on specific tributary subbasins;

Coordinating Federal, Provincial, State, local, and tribal

activities to avoid duplication of effort, ensure that ongoing

activities are complimentary, and identify opportunities to add value

to ongoing efforts;

Communicating information among all levels of government

and the public in order to keep the public informed of ongoing and

proposed activities and provide a forum for public input and comment;

Providing a vehicle for linking agency pollution control

activities to environmental results; and

Identifying and evaluating gaps in existing programs and

authorities which represent impediments to complete restoration of Lake

Superior, and making recommendations on how to fill those gaps.

V. Critical Pollutants

Critical Pollutants are defined by Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water

Quality Agreement as substances that persist at levels that, singly or

in synergistic or additive combination, are causing, or are likely to

cause, impairment of beneficial uses despite past application of

regulatory controls due to their: (1) Presence in open lake waters; (2)

ability to cause or contribute to a failure to meet Agreement

objectives through their recognized threat to human health and aquatic

life; or (3) ability to bioaccumulate.

As discussed above, the Lake Superior Binational Program has

designated nine chemicals for zero discharge. The SWG proposes these

nine pollutants be designated as Critical Pollutants in the Lake

Superior LaMP: chlordane, DDT and metabolites, dieldrin,

hexachlorobenzene, octachlorostyrene, PCBs, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, toxaphene and

mercury.

The SWG has evaluated pollutants which are causally linked to

lakewide impairments of beneficial uses, exceedances of chemical

criteria, standards or objectives, or impairments of ecosystem

objectives. The SWG proposes these pollutants as candidate Critical

Pollutants. These causal pollutants (candidate Critical Pollutants)

are:

Organics Metals Others

alpha-BHC arsenic bark

heptachlor epoxide cadmium BOD

PAH's chromium fibre

furans & dioxins copper phosphorous

lead pulp mill effluent

iron

manganese

nickel

zinc

The Superior Workgroup will evaluate the list of causal pollutants

for evidence of point or nonpoint discharges of these pollutants to the

waters of the Lake Superior System. In addition, the causal pollutants

will be evaluated on the basis of their potential to cause significant

damage to the health of the Lake Superior ecosystem. This evaluation

will form the basis for designating Critical Pollutants which currently

impact Lake Superior.

The Lake Superior Forum has developed a list of pollutants which

the Forum believes should be subject to preventative measures in the

basin. The Forum believes that identifying these substances as critical

pollutants will enhance the level of protection afforded the Lake

Superior ecosystem, and is consistent with the goals of the Binational

Program. EPA puts forward these Forum proposals to further public

discussion on this issue, and request comments on the scope and

adequacy of the Forum proposal.

The SWG proposes that Critical Pollutants will be targeted for: (1)

Zero discharge; (2) lakewide load reductions; and/or, (3) preventative

measures, based upon their characteristics, such as persistence,

bioaccumulative potential, toxicity and potential for future

introduction to the basin. Using such a categorization process will

strengthen the ability of Federal, Provincial and State agencies to

develop and apply appropriate environmental protection strategies.

EPA finds merit with these proposals of the SWG and puts them forth

in the United States in today's notice on behalf of the binational

partners. EPA requests specific comments on the proposal to designate

the substances listed above as Critical Pollutants for Lake Superior.

EPA requests proposals for pollutants other than those listed above to

be added to the Critical Pollutant list. EPA further requests any

information on the ambient concentrations of a pollutant in the water

or sediments of Lake Superior, or in the tissues of the aquatic life,

wildlife, or humans that are dependent on Lake Superior for food or

water, which suggests that a substance should be considered a critical

pollutant for Lake Superior. In addition, EPA requests any additional

information on any sources and loadings of these and any other

substances that may currently cause, or have the potential to cause,

impairments of beneficial uses of the Lake Superior ecosystem.

VI. Source Identification and Load Quantification

Today's proposed Lake Superior LaMP focuses on the nine designated

zero discharge pollutants which have been designated as Critical

Pollutants. As of January 1, 1991, 43 major surface water dischargers

to the waters of the Lake Superior System have been identified.

Existing industrial sources include 27 facilities, including forest

products manufacturers, mines and metals processing facilities,

electrical generating stations, a wood preserving industry, an oil

refinery, and a food processor. Sixteen municipal wastewater treatment

facilities were evaluated. Of these 43 sources, available data indicate

that 16 discharged detectable levels of TCDD, OCS, HCB, PCBs and

mercury. The most commonly detected pollutant was mercury, identified

in 14 of the 43 sources. Detailed descriptions for these 43 sources are

included in Appendix 5 and detailed loadings estimates in Appendix 6.

Available loadings and process information were used to assess each

source against a proposed blueprint for zero discharge. The results of

this assessment are included in Appendix 7. In only a few cases could

loads be estimated by direct measurement of pollutant concentration

multiplied by total flows.

EPA requests comments on the accuracy and completeness of these

source evaluations. EPA further requests any additional information on

the discharges of critical pollutants, or other pollutants which may

adversely affect beneficial uses, to the waters of Lake Superior System

from these or any other point or nonpoint sources.

EPA and the binational partners recognize that no direct method of

measuring zero discharge exists due partly to the limits of analytical

science as well as the lack of an authoritative definition of zero.

Therefore, to assess the progress of the zero discharge demonstration

program and the LaMP, today's proposed LaMP includes a framework, or

blueprint, for assessing zero discharge. This blueprint utilizes an

approach of assessing chemical use, production, or potential for

release in contrast to solely utilizing analytical detection. Such a

staged approach accommodates evaluation of sources within as well as

outside of the Lake Superior basin which cause or have the potential to

cause impairments of beneficial uses.

EPA concurs with this proposed approach for Lake Superior, and puts

forward this proposed blueprint for public review and comment in the

United States on behalf of the binational partners. EPA requests

comments on the suitability of such an approach in assessing progress

towards zero discharge in Lake Superior, as well as other alternatives

for assessing progress.

VII. Ecosystem Objectives and Indicators

In Annex 1 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the U.S. and

Canadian governments, in consultation with State and Provincial

governments, agreed to develop ecosystem objectives for the waters of

the Great Lakes System, as the state of knowledge permits. In addition,

the Agreement specifies the following objective for Lake Superior -

``the Lake should be maintained as a balanced and stable oligotrophic

ecosystem with lake trout as the top aquatic predator of a cold water

community and the Pontoporeia hoyi as a key organism in the food

chain.''

EPA views ecosystem principles and objectives as an integral

component of LaMPs consistent with the general principles of Annex 2 of

the Agreement that LaMPs embody a systematic and comprehensive

ecosystem approach to restoring and protecting beneficial uses. EPA

intends to incorporate ecosystem principles and objectives, and

ultimately, ecosystem indicators, into the Lake Superior LaMP. The

public will be provided opportunities to participate in the development

of ecosystem indicators for Lake Superior, including review and comment

on proposed ecosystem indicators. When finalized and adopted into the

Lake Superior LaMP, EPA believes ecosystem principles, objectives and

indicators will serve to further the goals of the Binational Program as

well as the broader goals of the Agency's Great Lakes program.

The proposed Lake Superior ecosystem principles and objectives were

drafted by representatives of Federal, State and Provincial agencies in

consultation with the Lake Superior Forum. EPA puts forward the

proposed Lake Superior ecosystem principles and objectives for public

review and comment in the United States on behalf of the binational

partners. Comments received from the public on todays proposal will be

considered by the binational partners in finalizing and adopting Lake

Superior ecosystem principles and objectives. EPA requests comments on

all aspects of todays proposal, including: (1) A Vision for Lake

Superior adopted by the Lake Superior Forum; (2) general objectives;

(3) aquatic community objectives; (4) terrestrial wildlife objectives;

(5) habitat objectives; (5) human health objectives; and, (6)

objectives for sustainable development. In addition, EPA requests

comments on the proposed framework for developing ecosystem indicators

for Lake Superior.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance, when finalized, will

establish water quality criteria and goals to protect aquatic life,

wildlife, and human health in the Great Lakes Basin. The water quality

criteria and values proposed in the Guidance apply to all the ambient

United States waters of the Great Lakes System, regardless of the

source of pollutants to those waters. In this manner, the proposed

water quality criteria and values provide the basis for integrating

actions carried out under the range of environmental programs available

to both Federal, State and Tribal regulators to protect and restore the

Great Lakes ecosystem. EPA intends to use the water quality criteria

and values, when finalized, as indicators of the health of the Lake

Superior ecosystem. EPA requests comments on this approach.

VIII. Management Strategies and Actions

A wide range of actions are being undertaken by Federal, Provincial

and State agencies through the Binational Program. These include

specific actions intended to reduce pollutant loadings to the Lake

Superior System, and further the goals of zero discharge. These

include:

Implementation of a comprehensive pollution prevention

strategy for the nine designated zero discharge pollutants.

Assessment and analysis of financial/economic tools and

incentives to encourage virtual elimination and sustainable development

throughout the Lake Superior Basin as mechanisms to achieve zero

discharge.

Basinwide educational programs to raise consumer

consciousness regarding hazardous wastes and the impact of such wastes

on the water quality.

Load reductions through existing and expanded

environmental programs at the Federal, Provincial and State levels.

Development of specific procedures for LS-OIRW and LS-ONRW

designations including candidate lists of waters.

Investigation and remediation of contaminated sediments in

targeted sites

Public workshops and meetings throughout the Lake Superior

Basin to discuss both the proposed LaMP and the Binational Program.

Development of a comprehensive monitoring program designed

to quantify loads and identify sources of critical pollutants on a

priority basis.

EPA Requests public comment on the scope, adequacy, and timing of

the actions described in the proposed Lake Superior LaMP. EPA requests

proposals or information from the public on local actions to reduce

loads of toxic pollutants to the waters of the Lake Superior System, on

any other action which may reduce loads of toxic pollutants to the

waters of the Lake Superior System, support the zero discharge

demonstration program, further public participation and involvement in

the Binational Program, or in any other way serve to protect and

restore the Lake Superior ecosystem.

Dated: February 1, 1994.

Robert Springer,

Acting Regional Administrator.

[FR Doc. 94-3432 Filed 2-14-94; 8:45 am]

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