The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently received U.S. EPA approval to use narrative nutrient water quality standards in place of the previous numeric standards for Montana’s wadable streams and select large river segments. DEQ submitted the revised standards to EPA for review in May after Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 664 into law – a measure that modifies water quality permitting and planning.
According to the state, narrative standards describe conditions to avoid and allow DEQ to identify impairments and develop plans to improve water quality. The new law aims to provide regulatory predictability for permittees and ensure DEQ uses best practices to protect water sources based on the agency’s understanding of local, site-specific conditions.
DEQ will assist permittees in understanding the narrative nutrient standards and will develop guidance documents to help with the transition. To learn more about DEQ’s water quality standards, monitoring and assessment, and projects addressing issues in Montana waters, visit the DEQ website.
