The federal Environmental Protection Agency on Oct. 17 approved Oregon's toughest-in-the-nation water-quality standards.

The standards, designed to protect tribal members and others who consume large amounts of fish, are based on the assumption that people eat 175 grams of fish a day, slightly more than 6 ounces.

The former standards, similar to standards in most states, were based on the assumption people consume 17.5 grams of fish a day.

The Oregon departments of forestry and agriculture will continue to be the lead agencies regulating runoff into rivers and streams from forestry and agricultural operations, according to state officials.

The new standards are effective immediately, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, but won't be applied until entities renew water pollution permits.

DEQ officials said they will provide waivers for businesses and municipalities that can't meet the standards immediately.

The DEQ regulates water quality in Oregon under a memorandum of understanding with the EPA. Water quality regulation is steered by the federal Clean Water Act.

-- Mitch Lies