402 Stream redesignation evaluations; water quality standards review

Stream Redesignation Evaluations; Water Quality Standards Review

[40 Pa.B. 1266]
[Saturday, March 6, 2010]

 Under 25 Pa. Code § 93.4d (relating to processing of petitions, evaluations and assessments to change a designated use) the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) gives notice that an evaluation will be conducted on all or portions of the streams listed to determine the proper Aquatic Life Use or Special Protection designations in the Commonwealth's Water Quality Standards.

Stream Name	County	Tributary To
Pine Creek—Mainstem, from Marsh Creek to the confluence with West Branch Susquehanna River	Tioga—Lycoming	West Branch Susquehanna River
Little Pine Creek—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Pine Creek	Lycoming	Pine Creek
Elk Run—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Pine Creek	Tioga	Pine Creek
Tioga River—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Elk Run	Tioga	Susquehanna River
Stephenhouse Run—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Crooked Creek	Tioga	Crooked Creek
Ives Run—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Crooked Creek	Tioga	Crooked Creek
Jemison Creek—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Cowanesque River	Tioga	Cowanesque River
Unnamed Tributary (31143) to Cowanesque River (Dodge Hollow)— Basin, from the source to the confluence with Cowanesque River	Potter	Cowanesque River

 Persons who have technical data concerning the water quality, instream habitat or biological condition of these stream sections are encouraged to make it available to the Department for consideration in the assessment. These assessments may lead to recommendations to the Environmental Quality Board (Board) for redesignation.

 Data should be submitted to Tony Shaw, Division of Water Quality Standards, Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation, P. O. Box 8467, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467, [e-mail]. Data should be submitted no later than April 5, 2010. Questions concerning this evaluation can be directed to Tony Shaw at [phone].

 Pine Creek, a tributary to West Branch Susquehanna River, is currently designated High Quality-Trout Stocking (HQ-TSF) from the mainstem confluence with Marsh Creek to the confluence with West Branch Susquehanna River. The Pine Creek study area will include the entire mainstem from Marsh Creek to the confluence with West Branch Susquehanna River.

 Little Pine Creek, a tributary to Pine Creek, is currently designated Cold Water Fishes (CWF) from the mainstem confluence of Texas and Blockhouse Creeks to Little Pine Creek Dam and Trout Stocking (TSF) from Little Pine Creek Dam to mouth. Texas Creek, a tributary to Little Pine Creek, is currently designated HQ-CWF from the basin source to confluence with Blockhouse Creek. Blockhouse Creek, a tributary to Little Pine Creek, is currently designated CWF from the basin source to the confluence of Texas Creek, with the exception of Flicks Run which is designated HQ-CWF. Little Pine Creek tributaries from the confluence of Texas and Blockhouse Creeks to mouth are currently designated HQ-CWF, with the exception of English and Otter Runs which are currently designated CWF. The Little Pine Creek study area will include the entire Little Pine Creek basin.

 Elk Run, a tributary to Pine Creek, is currently designated HQ-CWF from the basin source to the mouth. The Elk Run study area will include the entire Elk Run basin.

 Tioga River, a tributary to Susquehanna River, is currently designated CWF from the basin source to the confluence with Elk Run. The Tioga River study area will include the entire Tioga River basin from the source to the confluence with Elk Run.

 Stephenhouse Run, a tributary to Crooked Creek, is currently designated CWF from the basin source to the confluence with Crooked Creek. Ives Run, a tributary to Crooked Creek, is currently designated Warm Water Fishes (WWF) from the basin source to the confluence with Crooked Creek. The Stephenhouse and Ives Runs study areas will include each entire basin respectively from their sources to their confluence with Crooked Creek.

 Jemison Creek, a tributary to Cowanesque River, is currently designated HQ-CWF from the basin source to T-559 bridge at Azelta and WWF from T-559 bridge to the confluence with Cowanesque River. Dodge Hollow, a tributary to Cowanesque River, is currently designated CWF from the basin source to the confluence with Cowanesque River. The Jemison Creek and Dodge Hollow study areas will include each entire basin respectively from their sources to their confluence with Cowanesque River.

 Recent sampling efforts have indicated that the current designated use for Pine Creek mainstem, Little Pine Creek, Elk Run, Tioga River, Stephenhouse Run, Ives Run, Jemison Creek and Dodge Hollow basins should be reassessed. These assessments may lead to recommendations to the Board for redesignation.

 Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Tony Shaw directly at [phone] or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at [phone] (TDD) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.

JOHN HANGER, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-402. Filed for public inspection March 5, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]