Mercury Water Quality Criterion to Protect Aquatic Life in Idaho

On April 3^rd, 2024, the EPA Administrator signed a proposed rule to establish a revised mercury water quality criterion for protection of aquatic life in the state of Idaho. If finalized, the proposed rule would establish levels of mercury appropriate for the protection and maintenance of a viable aquatic life community in Idaho water bodies.

• Proposed Rule: Mercury Criterion to Protect Aquatic Life in Idaho
• Fact Sheet - Proposed Rule: Mercury Water Quality Criterion to Protect Aquatic Life in Idaho (pdf) (121.66 KB, April 2024)
• Technical Support Document: Aquatic Life Water Quality Criterion for Mercury in Idaho (DRAFT) (pdf) (4.98 MB, April 2024)

Public Hearings

EPA held two public hearings during the public comment period.

• May 28, 2024 from 9-11am MDT (11am-1pm EDT).
  • PRESENTATION - U.S. EPA's Proposed Rule: Mercury Criterion to Protect Aquatic Life in Idaho - Public Hearing #1 (pdf) (373.5 KB, May 28, 2024)
  • TRANSCRIPT - U.S. EPA's Proposed Rule: Mercury Criterion to Protect Aquatic Life in Idaho - Public Hearing #1 (pdf) (177.92 KB, May 28, 2024)
• May 29, 2024 from 4-6pm MDT (6-8pm EDT).
  • PRESENTATION - U.S. EPA's Proposed Rule: Mercury Criterion to Protect Aquatic Life in Idaho - Public Hearing #2 (pdf) (374.32 KB, May 29, 2024)
  • TRANSCRIPT - U.S. EPA's Proposed Rule: Mercury Criterion to Protect Aquatic Life in Idaho - Public Hearing #2 (pdf) (176.84 KB, May 29, 2024)

EPA will consider all oral comments provided during the hearings along with written comments submitted via the docket for this rulemaking (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0325).

Submitting Public Comments on the Proposal

EPA accepted comments on the proposed rule during the 60-day comment period.  The comment period ended June 10, 2024. Comments were submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.