US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
DEQ and river advocacy group spar over water quality standards for nutrients
The EPA's approval lets Montana use narrative nutrient standards, allowing tailored local water quality plans despite concerns over delayed pollution responses.
- On Oct. 6, DEQ announced the Environmental Protection Agency signed off on Montana's shift from numeric to narrative nutrient standards after Gov. Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 664 in May.
- Scientists note nutrient pollution and warmer, low-flow summers have driven renewed urgency as numeric water quality standards offer measurable limits, unlike narrative standards that react after pollution events.
- Upper Missouri Waterkeeper said it is reviewing the EPA decision and alleged Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued permits without numeric limits, stalling Clean Water Act implementation.
- DEQ said narrative criteria let the agency tailor assessments and permits to watersheds, Nowakowski said the EPA nod allows permitting and planning to proceed, and Cyrus Western said House Bill 664 meets federal standards.
- Montana anglers generated $1.27 billion in spending in 2024, underlining economic stakes as conservation groups warned the rollback is a step backward amid algal blooms lowering dissolved oxygen.
Insights by Ground AI
15 Articles
15 Articles
EPA signs off on Montana's new clean water standards • Daily Montanan
A aerial view of an algae bloom in the Big Hole River on July 6, 2025, near Pennington Bridge in Madison County. (Courtesy photo, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and Dan Armstrong)The Environmental Protection Agency has signed off on Montana’s plan to discard numeric water quality standards and adopt a measure that was passed by the 2025 Legislature allowing state officials to revert back to an older system, which many groups criticize as being insuf…
Montana Standard+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
DEQ and river advocacy group spar over water quality standards for nutrients
EPA's approval of Montana DEQ relying on narrative instead of numeric water quality standards for nutrients smacks of politics and leaves rivers vulnerable to polluters, river group says.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution82% Center
Bias Distribution
- 82% of the sources are Center
82% Center
L 18%
C 82%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
