AF&PA Disappointed with EPA’s Action on Washington State Water Quality

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of a federal Human Health Water Quality Criteria proposal for Washington state. The Clean Water Act envisions states as playing the lead role in developing their water quality standards.

“EPA has short circuited the process of developing Washington’s water quality standards by proposing to impose more restrictive federal criteria for the state. Our industry is disappointed by this federal intrusion into what is meant to be a state-based solution. Governor Inslee should have protected Washington state’s interests by sending to EPA the state’s plan, which had the support of local businesses and was protective of human health water quality criteria. It is unfortunate that Washington, D.C., will now decide what is in the best interest of Washington state’s local communities.”