Montana Judge Upholds Lake Koocanusa Water Quality Rule Amidst Legal Challenges
A Montana district judge has upheld a water quality standard for Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir affected by pollutants from coal mines in British Columbia. This decision marks a victory for conservation groups and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), who have been defending the 2020 selenium standard against challenges from mining interests and local government bodies. The standard, set at 0.8 micrograms of selenium per liter, aims to protect aquatic life from toxic effects. The ruling resolves a legal battle involving the Montana Board of Environmental Review (BER) and Elk Valley Resources, a mining company. The court's decision supports the DEQ's stance that the standard is scientifically justified and necessary for environmental protection. 
