Supplemental Data Resubmitted for DEQ’s Consideration
Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and the Big Hole River Foundation sent a letter to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in response to the department’s denial of the petition requesting the Big Hole River be declared impaired by nutrients. Alongside the letter, supplemental data, including photo and video evidence of algal blooms, a macroinvertebrate study, and aquatic plant visual assessment forms, were resubmitted to DEQ for consideration.
“We remain committed to ensuring the department relies on the best available science and follows all relevant state and federal laws in determining whether the Big Hole should be formally declared impaired,” said Guy Alsentzer, Executive Director of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper. “This river is far too important to overlook—we must take the proper steps to restore and protect it for all who depend on it.”
In the letter, the conservation organizations “urge DEQ to reconsider its decision in light of clarity regarding the continued applicability of numeric nutrient criteria to impairment decisions, and so too the additional, supplemental data provided herein.” The letter also encourages “DEQ to do the right thing, use all available science to determine the Big Hole River impaired for nutrients, and commit to working with petitioners and other stakeholders in addressing the pollution sources undermining this world-class waterway and harming the diverse uses it supports.”