COLUMBIA RIVER INTER-TRIBAL FISH COMMISSION

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) thanks you for the opportunity to provide comments on the question of whether to include or exclude anadromous species from the calculation of a state-specific fish consumption rate to derive water quality standards. As stewards of the Columbia River fishery resource, we support all efforts to improve water quality to a level that is sufficient to protect tribal fishers and their families from the harmful impacts of waterborne pollutants. CRITFC and its member tribes urge the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to fulfill its mission to protect human health and preserve the quality of Idaho’s waters by adopting policies that will provide the highest level of protection possible by full incorporation of anadromous fish into the state’s fish consumption rate.