The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is seeking public comment during a 30-day period beginning April 18 for the Total Maximum Daily Load implementation plan. The TMDL addresses dissolved oxygen impairment of Lake O' the Pines located in the Cypress Creek Basin in the following counties: Marion, Morris, and Upshur.

The TCEQ will conduct a meeting to receive comments on the draft implementation plan on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District's Office, 4180 FM 250, Hughes Springs, Texas.

The meeting provides the public an opportunity to comment on the draft implementation plan. The commission requests comment on each of the major components of the implementation plan: description of control actions and management measures, implementation strategy and tracking, review strategy, and communication strategy. After the public comment period, TCEQ staff may revise the implementation plan, if appropriate. The final implementation plan will then be considered for approval by the commission. Upon commission approval, the plan 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, one TMDL was developed for dissolved oxygen. The TMDL was adopted by the commission on April 12, 2006, and subsequently approved by the EPA as an update to the State Water Quality Management Plan. The implementation plan is a flexible tool that governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in TMDL implementation will use as a guide.

More information on the project and the draft TMDL is available online: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/water/tmdl/19-lakeopines.html, or to receive a copy call 512-239-6682.

Written comments should be submitted to Arthur Talley, 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., May 17, 2008 and should reference, Implementation Plan for One Total Maximum Daily Load for Dissolved Oxygen in the Lake O' the Pines, For Segment Number 0403.