Conservation group to sue over water quality rule

BILLINGS (AP) – A conservation group has filed notice that it plans to sue federal regulators for failing to make a decision on proposed water quality rules in Montana.

Representatives of Upper Missouri River Waterkeeper filed notice Tuesday that they intend to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act.

The Bozeman-based group asserts that the EPA has failed to act on revised water quality rules submitted by the state in August.

The rules cover pollutants including nitrogen and phosphorus, which come from agriculture runoff, yard fertilizers, wastewater and other sources.

The lawsuit notice says federal law requires the EPA to decide whether to accept the revised rules within 60 to 90 days.