State officials Tuesday released proposed new water quality standards based, in part, on how much fish people eat.

Under the federal Clean Water Act, rivers and lakes must be clean enough for people to safely eat fish from those waters. The proposal dramatically raises the current fish consumption rate to 175 grams a day, which would protect people who eat about a serving of fish a day.

The draft rule, expected to be finalized next year, is tied to legislation Gov. Jay Inslee plans to propose in 2015 that would seek to reduce toxic chemicals from everyday sources.

Tribes and conservation groups have criticized the governor’s proposal as not protective enough. Meanwhile, businesses have worried too strict rules will hurt economic development.

Read the full story at the Yakima Herald>>

Want to read more about water quality? Click here...