Narrative Nutrient Standard Implementation Lunch & Learn

In February 2026, the Gallatin Water Collaborative and the Montana Watershed Coordination Council hosted a Lunch & Learn focused on the transition from numeric nutrient standards to narrative nutrient standards. In the 2025 Legislative Session, House Bill 664 repealed numeric nutrient criteria found in Circular DEQ-12A. In October of 2025, the EPA approved the change to the water quality standard, making it effective across all DEQ programs. Andy Ulven and Lindsey Krywaruchka from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality presented.

Goals of this session: 

• Learn about DEQ’s implementation of the narrative standard for nutrients, including what has changed, what has not, and what is next.

Meeting Resources:

• Presentation Slides

Nutrient Standards Resources:

• Administrative Rules of Montana - Water Quality - General Prohibitions

• Draft 2026 Montana Nonpoint Source Management Plan

• Public Participation & Engagement at DEQ Link

• DEQ Water Quality Planning Projects (TMDL Revisions)

• Statewide TMDL Advisory Group meetings