Last spring, the Montana Legislature abolished numeric standards for phosphorus and nitrogen pollution and replaced them with a “narrative standard.” The law took effect this year on March 1, and on March 24 Upper Missouri Waterkeeper filed a federal suit against the U.S. Environmental Agency for failing to act.In its suit, Waterkeeper argues that the EPA should have taken formal action to approve or disapprove Montana’s change in standards, as required by federal law. Waterkeeper also says the new standard fails to adequately protect water quality.“Under the Clean Water Act, states can’t lawfully roll back science-based standards that protect waterway
