Epa Sets Temperature For Bull Trout Streams

Wed., July 23, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

Under court order, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued water quality standards for Idaho streams.

One of the key elements of the final rule, signed by EPA Administrator Carol Browner on Tuesday, was a maximum temperature set for bull trout spawning and rearing streams.

Bull trout are a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The fish is considered an indicator of forest health because it likes clear, cold streams.

Under the EPA’s rule, Idaho bull trout streams can be no warmer than 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) during the months of June through September.

The standard applies only to spawning and rearing streams, not larger water bodies of lowland rivers and streams that are home to adult bull trout.

Mike Medberry of the Idaho Conservation League said Tuesday he was pleased with the provision for bull trout, but disappointed that a similar standard wasn’t set for Kootenai River sturgeon. The EPA settled for a higher temperature standard set by the state.

The new standards came as a result of an ICL lawsuit charging that the EPA wasn’t enforcing the Clean Water Act.

, DataTimes

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Epa Sets Temperature For Bull Trout Streams

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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