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EPA/OW RIN: 2040-AF61 Publication ID: Spring 2017 
Title: Water Quality Standards for Selenium in the San Francisco Bay and Delta 
Abstract: The EPA proposed water quality criteria for selenium in the San Francisco Bay and Delta of California ("Bay and Delta") on July 15, 2016. EPA will be finalizing these regulations to protect Bay and Delta aquatic life and aquatic-dependent wildlife, including species listed as threatened and endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act, from the harmful effects of exposure to toxic levels of selenium. Selenium occurs naturally in California sediments, but can be concentrated and released into the environment through industrial and agricultural processes, and can negatively affect reproduction, growth and development in fish and waterfowl. Selenium is also known to bioaccumulate, such that a species' exposure to selenium is highly influenced by its feeding habits. In the Bay-Delta, selenium is efficiently bioaccumulated by the invasive filter-feeding clam Potamocorbula amurensis, commonly known as Corbula amurensis, causing particular risk to clam-eating fish and birds. This rule will improve water quality, protect aquatic life and wildlife, strengthen the natural ecosystem, and support outdoor recreation in the Bay and Delta region. 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 131   
Legal Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. Clean Water Act   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
None       
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  07/15/2016  81 FR 46030   
NPRM Comment Period End  09/13/2016 
NPRM Comment Period Extended  09/14/2016  81 FR 63158   
NPRM Comment Period Extended End  10/28/2016 
Final Rule  12/00/2018 
Additional Information: Docket #:EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0392
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: State 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/water-quality-standards-establishment-revised-numeric-criteria-selenium-san-francisco-bay   Public Comment URL: https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=50&so=DESC&sb=postedDate&po=0&dct=PS&D=EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0392  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Julianne McLaughlin
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 4305T,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-2542
Email: mclaughlin.julianne@epa.gov

Diane Fleck
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
WTR-2-1, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone:213 244-1836
Email: fleck.diane@epa.gov