Washington, D.C. – American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to approve the Human Health Water Quality Criteria for the state of Idaho. EPA Regional Administrator Chris Hladick approved the criteria on April 4.

“We applaud EPA’s decision to approve Idaho’s water quality criteria – action that underscores recognition of and respect for Idaho’s consistent application of stringent and conservative criteria to protect all its waters. States with scientifically-based records of environmental stewardship should serve as an example for others and not be subject to federal decisions that ignore the facts on the ground and the primary role for states in implementing the Clean Water Act.”