Instead of EPA BOISE, ID – Idaho will handle its own water pollution, instead of having a Washington, D.C.-based government entity controlling it.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality announced yesterday that they received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency to administer their own program.
The goal of the Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System is to address water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to Idaho’s surface water.
Governor “Butch” Otter said “I’m grateful to the Trump administration for moving forward so efficiently on this decision.” “Idaho citizens are usually best served by other Idahoans…” The Idaho legislature approved the rules that make up the program during the 2016 legislative session.
Permitting through Idaho instead of the EPA will be phased in over the next few years.
DEQ director John Tippets said “I am confident that Idaho will be well served by our assuming administration of this important program that protects the quality of Idaho’s water.” The full program will require approximately 29 positions located in DEQ’s state and regional offices and an annual budget of $3 million.
To learn more about the IPDES Program, visit www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/ipdes.