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Resident urges county to oppose raising selenium standards, cites fish and insect declines
Summary
A public commenter warned commissioners that rising selenium in the river threatens fish and insects and urged the county not to support higher, site-specific selenium standards; commissioners said their concern centers on process and site-specific standards and encouraged public comment to DEQ.
A Libby resident and conservation volunteer urged the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to oppose higher selenium standards in the local river and to support measures that reduce selenium concentrations.
Mike Brunie, identifying himself as representing a local tribal club and Montana LANA Trout Unlimited, told commissioners that he had seen fish showing signs of "paraltnose syndrome" and presented recent studies indicating rising selenium in fish, invertebrates and insects. "Don't leave a legacy of supporting increasing selenium content in the river," Brunie said, adding that he has observed a sharp decline in insect populations on his property of 25 years.
Brunie urged the county to submit comments to the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) during the open comment period and noted a DEQ comment deadline in August. He said Fish, Wildlife and Parks and DEQ are already engaged on the issue and that the county should avoid actions that could impede efforts to lower selenium concentrations downstream.
Commissioners responded that local media coverage had emphasized different points, and they clarified that the commission’s concern is with the DEQ process and the use of site-specific standards — not necessarily an intent to raise selenium concentrations countywide. One commissioner invited Brunie to meet and said the board would separate Troy-specific issues from broader selenium questions at an upcoming meeting.
Why it matters: Selenium is a trace element that can be toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates at elevated concentrations; local comments to DEQ can influence how site-specific standards and regulatory processes are applied.
What’s next: Commissioners encouraged public commenters to submit comments to DEQ by the stated deadline and offered to meet with concerned residents to clarify the county’s position on site-specific standards.
Sources: Public comment by Mike Brunie and commissioners’ responses during the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting.
