Division of Water
REPORTS ADDRESS WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS FROM ACID DRAINAGE

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2005) – Eleven draft reports addressing water quality problems related to acid drainage are available for public comment. 

The reports are: pH (H+ Ion Mass) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for (1) Butchers Branch of Blackford Creek, (2) Drakes Creek of Pond River, (3) Mussin Branch of Moore Creek, (4) UT of Rolling Fork (at River Mile 94.6), (5) Rock Creek of South Fork Cumberland River and White Oak Creek of Rock Creek, (6) Copperas Fork of Cooper Creek, (7) Cane Branch of Middle Fork (Beaver Creek), (8) Ryans Creek of Jellico Creek, (9) Beech Creek of Pond Creek, (10) Render Creek of Lewis Creek and (11) Wildcat Branch of Cumberland River.  The reports have been prepared as required by the federal Clean Water Act.

A section of the Act requires states to periodically identify specific waters with water-quality problems.  Impaired waters must be prioritized and a TMDL – the allowable amount of pollutants – must be calculated. States also must devise alternative implementation plans for remedying impairment.  The reports are part of the process to improve water quality in affected streams.

The Division of Water is asking for comments on the draft reports, which may be revised before being sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for further review, comment and approval.

Reports may be viewed on the Internet at http://www.water.ky.gov/sw/tmdl/

For print copies, contact Andrea M. Fredenburg at the Division of Water, 14 Reilly Road, Frankfort, Ky. 40601 or at (502) 564-3410.  Comments should be provided to Ms. Fredenburg by Dec. 17, 2005.

-30-