Protecting Salmon in Idaho Waters

In a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NWEA has forced one more step towards protecting salmon in Idaho waters.  As the result of the NWEA lawsuit, EPA has agreed to consult with the federal expert fish and wildlife agencies on Idaho salmon spawning procedures.

Also resolved was NWEA’s challenge to standards not protective of threatened and endangered salmon called the “seasonal cold” standard.  Affecting temperature, dissolved oxygen, and ammonia, the seasonal cold standard was intended to allow greater amounts of pollution in Idaho waters; the provision had been pending before EPA for 20 years.  In June 2020, EPA finally concluded that Idaho’s vague language was not protective of native salmonid species and disapproved it.

The remaining claim in the lawsuit, pertaining to EPA’s failure to replace Idaho’s disapproved mercury standard for the protection of aquatic life, is now pending before the court.