The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is applying to set water-quality standards that could affect permitting of an iron ore mine outside its boundaries.

Bad River submitted its water quality standards to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late July. Tribal Chairman Mike Wiggins said a proposed Penokee Range mine gives them a sense of urgency.

“I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that didn’t register as a potential threat,” Wiggins said. “There are obviously open-pit mining initiatives targeted for waters that are directly upstream of the Bad River Reservation. With these water-quality standards that we’re setting, we’re merely trying to protect ourselves and our natural resources.”

Wiggins said runoff from a mine could pollute rivers running through the reservation and into Lake Superior.

EPA tribal standards coordinator Kathleen Mayo said the agency will decide whether to accept the proposal within the next 60 to 90 days. She said her department will review the water quality standards against EPA regulatory requirements.

“So wherever there’s an area that is not consistent with EPA regulations, that would be something that would definitely raise red flags,” Mayo said. “It can’t just be a number pulled out of the air. They have to have some support, some research behind it.”

The tribal standards are within the bounds of the Clean Water Act, but in some areas are stronger than current regulations. EPA Environmental Scientist Robie Anson says the band can set tougher standards.