945 Stream redesignation evaluations; water quality standards review

Stream Redesignation Evaluations; Water Quality Standards Review

[40 Pa.B. 2716]
[Saturday, May 22, 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 this Commonwealth's Water Quality Standards.

Stream Name	County	Tributary To
Loyalsock Creek—Basin, from the source to the confluence with West Branch Susquehanna River	Sullivan—Lycoming	West Branch Susquehanna River
Babb Creek—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Pine Creek	Tioga	Pine Creek
Bear Run—Basin, from the source to the confluence with South Branch Bear Run	Indiana—Jefferson	South Branch Bear Run
Dwarfs Kill—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Raymondskill Creek	Pike	Raymondskill Creek
Shohola Creek—Basin, from the source to the confluence with Balliard Creek	Pike	Delaware River
Sherman Creek—Basin, from Cisna Run to the confluence with Susquehanna River	Perry	Susquehanna 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 June 21, 2010. Questions concerning this evaluation can be directed to Tony Shaw at [phone].

 Recent sampling efforts have indicated that the current designated use for Loyalsock Creek basin and Babb Creek basin should be reassessed.

 The Loyalsock Creek mainstem, from McCarroll Corner downstream to its confluence with the West Branch Susquehanna River, is already undergoing a redesignation evaluation. Notice of this review was provided at 38 Pa.B. 4036 (July 26, 2008). This notice expands that redesignation evaluation described at 38 Pa.B. 4036 to include Loyalsock Creek tributaries from the headwaters downstream to its confluence with West Branch Susquehanna River. The Loyalsock Creek basin from its source to Pole Bridge Run is currently designated Cold Water Fishes (CWF). The tributaries to Loyalsock Creek from, and including, Pole Bridge Run to its confluence with the West Branch Susquehanna River are currently designated High Quality-Cold Water Fishes (HQ-CWF), with the exception of the following named tributaries or tributary segments: the Shanerburg Run basin from its source downstream to the end of a Jeep Trail (approximately 1.5 miles from the mouth) is currently designated EV and the remainder of the basin downstream from the Jeep Trail is designated HQ-CWF. The Double Run, High Rock Run and Little Loyalsock Creek basins are currently designated CWF. Kettle Creek and Noon Branch Wolf Run basins are currently designated Exceptional Value (EV) and Mill Creek (East and West) basins are currently designated Trout Stocking (TSF). The Loyalsock Creek study area will now include the entire Loyalsock Creek basin.

 Babb Creek, a tributary to Pine Creek, is currently designated CWF from basin source to mouth, with the exception of Nickel Run and Long Run basins, which are currently designated EV. The Babb Creek study area will include the entire Babb Creek basin.

 Bear Run, a tributary to West Branch Susquehanna River, is currently designated CWF from basin source to mouth. The petitioner is requesting redesignation of the basin source to the confluence with South Branch Bear Run as HQ-CWF. The Bear Run study area will include the Bear Run basin source to the confluence with South Branch Bear Run.

 Dwarfs Kill, a tributary to Raymondskill Creek, is currently designated CWF from basin source to mouth. The petitioner is requesting redesignation of Dwarfs Kill from the basin source to mouth as EV. The Dwarfs Kill study area will include the entire Dwarfs Kill basin.

 Shohola Creek, a tributary to Delaware River, is currently designated HQ-CWF from basin source to mouth. The petitioner is requesting redesignation of the basin source to Balliard Creek as EV. The Shohola Creek study area will include the basin source to Balliard Creek.

 Sherman Creek mainstem, a tributary to Susquehanna River, is currently designated Warm Water Fishes (WWF) from the confluence of Cisna Run to mouth. The petitioner is requesting redesignation of the mainstem from the confluence of Cisna Run to mouth as EV. The Sherman Creek study area will include the mainstem from the confluence of Cisna Run to mouth.

 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. 10-945. Filed for public inspection May 21, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]