(Montana – MFP) Three years into a legislatively mandated effort to adopt looser standards for two nutrients abundant in Montana waterways, the state has halted rulemaking on the contentious effort.
The nutrient standard revision was a product of Senate Bill 358, which sought to make compliance with the water quality standards the state adopted in 2014 more attainable and affordable for wastewater treatment plants and industrial operators such as refineries and mines.
Following a hearing on Monday at which stakeholders on multiple sides of the issue expressed displeasure with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s proposal, the agency announced it has no immediate plans to advance new water quality standards, stating the pause will give them more time to consider comments received.
