August 27, 2009

Jim Crosswhite
EC Bar Ranch
PO Box 44
Nutrioso, AZ 85932

Re: Nutrioso Creek Delisting

Dear Mr. Crosswhite,


The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the EPA has finished their review of our 2006/08 Assessment in which they state "ADEQ has removed Nutrioso Creek (AZ 15020001-017A) from Category 4a - TMDLs completed and reclassified it as Category 1 — Attaining All Uses. The State has presented evidence that this reach of Nutrioso Creek should be delisted for turbidity/suspended sediment, supported by post-TMDL monitoring data in the 2004-2006 timeframe (ADEQ 2007b), which shows zero exceedences (n=26) of the SSC standard and compliance with the turbidity TMDL load allocations. We concur with ADEQ's assessment that this WQLS is attaining for SSC and turbidity." The rationale for the delisting decision was sent to you previously in a correspondence from Chris Varga, former ADEQ Surface Water Section Manager, dated July 14, 2006.

Nutrioso Creek has been delisted above Nelson Reservoir and is no longer considered not attaining the former turbidity surface water quality standard. This is the first instance in Arizona where a waterbody has been delisted as a result of voluntary mitigation efforts. ADEQ appreciates the time, effort and dedication you have shown to improving the water quality of Nutrioso Creek.

Sincerely,

Jason Sutter, Supervisor
ADEQ TMDL Unit

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