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EPA is proposing water quality criteria applicable to waters under the state of California's jurisdiction to protect aquatic life and aquatic-dependent wildlife from exposure to selenium. EPA's proposed rule does not include waters in the San Francisco Bay Delta system that were previously covered in EPA's June 2016 proposed rule (Water Quality Standards; Establishment of Revised Numeric Criteria for Selenium for the San Francisco Bay and Delta, State of California). EPA's proposed selenium criteria for California relies on the latest science and information regarding selenium bioaccumulation and toxicity as well as California-specific information such as species and habitat information. EPA's proposal also takes into account applicable EPA policies, guidance, and legal requirements.

Overall Description of Deadline: EPA is under a consent decree with OCE and ERF to take CWA section 303(c) action to approve criteria for selenium adopted by California or propose statewide federal criteria for selenium for CA, by 11/30/18.