Water Quality | Water Quality Standards Petition |Public Hearing August 13, 2025 | Comment Period Closes August 13, 2025

On July 2, 2025, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (department) received a petition for rulemaking, pursuant to 2-4-315, MCA, to modify the selenium water column standard for Lake Koocanusa at ARM 17.30.632(7)(a) and the definition of steady state at ARM 17.30.602(32) from the Board of County Commissioners of Lincoln County. 

Within 60 days after submission of the petition, the department must either deny the petition in writing or initiate rulemaking proceedings in accordance 2-4-302, MCA through 2-4-305, MCA.  

Associated Materials and Links:

• 1 -2025.7.2 Lincoln County Petition for Rulemaking
• Appendix A - 2016-07-01_USEPA Aquatic_Life_AWQC_for_Selenium_Freshwater
• Appendix B - 2016-12-12_Fish_tissue_SOP_V1
• Appendix C - 2017-10-20_Se Loading to Lake Koocanusa_KTerry
• Appendix D - 2018-04-30_FishTissue QAPP Final Signed
• Appendix E- 2020-09-16_Technical Support Document_Lake Koocanusa Standard-Final_MTDEQ
• Appendix F - 2021-02-25_MT Lake Koocanusa and Kootenai River Se EPA Action Letter Signed
• Appendix G - 2021-08-01_USEPA Aquatic_Life_AWQC_for_Selenium_Freshwater_Revision
• Appendix H - 2022-06_Selenium_WrittenFindings_Final_DEQ
• Appendix I - 2023-10-13_Coal Mining Operations Elk Valley Linked to Increasing Se_Storb
• Appendix J - 2024-04-08_Selenium Adopting TSD
• Appendix K - 2024-04-08_Selenium FAQ CWA303
• Appendix L - 2024-04-08_Selenium FAQ CWA402
• Appendix M - 2024-04-08_Selenium_Fish Tissue TSD
• Appendix N - 2024-05-21_Guidance on assessing the potential impacts of selenium in freshwater_VPalace
• Appendix O - 2024-07 SeKoocanusaKootenai-AssessmentMethod
• Appendix P - 2025-02-07 Detering et al. 2025_Selenium Fish Tissue Relationships
• EVR_References Cited

On August 13, 2025, at 1:00 pm, the department will hold a public hearing in The Wilderness Room, at 2401 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT 59601 to allow interested persons to present their views on the petition. You are invited to submit data, views, or arguments concerning this petition orally, in writing, or both at the hearing. You may also join the hearing virtually via Zoom. The department will make reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities who wish to participate.

Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality, 1520 E. Sixth Avenue, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, Montana 59620-0901; faxed to (406) 444-4386; or e-mailed to DEQLakeKPetition@mt.gov To be guaranteed consideration, mailed comments must be postmarked no later than 11:59 p.m. on August 13, 2025.

 

Public hearing information:

August 13, 2025, at 1:00 pm

The Wilderness Room

2401 Colonial Drive

Or, join the hearing online via Zoom

https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/81993767865?pwd=0JP2m9tzEDQin6fjTqzYq4JEdJ0y7e.1 

Webinar ID: 819 9376 7865

Passcode: 869824

Telephone: (206) 337 9723

 

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Tags: Public Comment, Water and Public Meeting