View Rule

On April 3, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator signed a proposed rule to establish a water quality criterion applicable to waters under the state of Idaho's jurisdiction to protect aquatic life from exposure to toxic levels of mercury, as required by a court order. The EPA’s proposed water quality standards are based on the best available science, including local and regional information. The EPA determined that Endangered Species Act section 7(a)(2) consultation on the criterion is required and initiated consultation in December 2024. Consultation is ongoing. Under the terms of a court order, the EPA is required to finalize its mercury criterion for Idaho within eight months of concluding consultation.

Overall Description of Deadline: EPA is under a court-ordered deadline to finalize a statewide federal criterion for mercury for ID within eight months of concluding ESA consultation.