But after more than $2 million and four years of study, the panel disagrees on exactly how much selenium is too much.
The task force is not able to "speak with a single voice," as Division of Water Quality Walt Baker had urged. Instead, it will send three separate recommendations next month to the Utah Board of Water Quality.
"This pushes the envelope on how we set water quality standards," said Baker, who headed up the effort and said a difference of opinions is to be expected on a diverse task force like the selenium steering committee.
The advisory panel included people who represent Kennecott Utah Copper, the brine shrimp industry, duck groups, environmental groups, regulators, sewer districts and others. The lake provides important services to all of the groups.
It is a selenium disposal site for the sewer operators, whose water treatment systems serve more than 1 million Utahns, and Kennecott, whose mining operations generated $1.6 billion in company profits last year.
It is habitat for brine shrimp, the tiny creatures that have built a multimillion-dollar fish food industry. And the Great Salt Lake provides habitat for 9 million to 12 million birds that reside in Utah during migration each year.
Everyone agreed bird eggs will be the best gauge for the lake's future health. Only so much selenium in a certain a sampling of eggs will be permitted. Then a bit more selenium before another limit begins. And so on.
Regulators and mining company representatives insisted on a high limit of 12.5 parts per million. Controls would start at 5 ppm, and no added selenium discharges would be allowed at 7.5 ppm.
Environmental groups said those levels allow too much selenium. They wanted more stringent standards to protect the lake and the wildlife that depends on it - a cap to be 5 ppm and controls beginning at 2.5 ppm. Had they prevailed, controls would begin immediately because bird egg concentrations of selenium are now 2.7 ppm.
The brine shrimp industry representative determined a 10.4 ppm cap would be best.
Since the factions could not agree on the number, all three will present their arguments at the June 20 water board meeting. The board is then expected to spend much of the summer, and possibly the fall, crafting the recommendations into law.
fahys@sltrib.com
Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral that can concentrate in water. In small amounts, it is good for health. Toxic levels can lead to neurological problems, brittle hair and deformed nails. Breathing selenium vapors in the workplace can cause dizziness, fatigue, irritation of mucous membranes and respiratory effects. In the environment, selenium accumulates in the food chain. Toxic levels at the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge in California led to fish and bird deaths, and caused birds to be born with deformities.
