Author: Erin

July 20, 2023 

Contact: Tasha Owen, Water Quality Analyst, tasha.owen@deq.idaho.gov. 

TWIN FALLS — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking representatives to fill five vacancies on the Wood River Watershed Advisory Group (WAG).

The Wood River WAG is a group of citizens from a diverse set of interests dedicated to successful restoration and protection of the health of the Big Wood River, Little Wood River, and Camas Creek watersheds. These watersheds cover Blaine, Camas, Gooding, and Lincoln Counties, from which the WAG seeks to have diverse representation.

The WAG is currently seeking representatives from the following interest areas:

• Livestock
• Logging, timber, small business, industry, or hydropower
• Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) or irrigated agriculture
• Flood control
• Municipalities, land planning, or local government

The group meets quarterly, and members are asked to serve at least two-year terms. Responsibilities include working with DEQ on the following deliverables:

• Developing water quality improvement plans known as total maximum daily loads for streams, lakes, and rivers with degraded water quality conditions within the watershed.
• Helping identify contributing pollution sources in the watershed.
• Recommending specific actions needed to effectively control sources of pollution to the water bodies.
• Helping develop and implement a plan to meet water quality targets identified in the TMDLs.

Anyone interested in serving on the WAG as a representative of the above interest groups should contact Tasha Owen at (208) 736-2190 or tasha.owen@deq.idaho.gov by 5 p.m. on September 30, 2023, MDT.

The next WAG meeting is tentatively scheduled for December 6, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. MDT at the Wood River Canal Company (409 N Apple Street, Shoshone, Idaho). Anyone interested in joining the WAG is encouraged to attend.

July 7, 2023

Contact: Alex Bell, Regional Water Quality Manager, Alex.Bell@deq.idaho.gov

IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a public open house meeting to collect comments on the draft Clean Water Act (CWA) § 401 Water Quality Certification for the County Line Road Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 14513-003. The meeting will be held at DEQ’s Idaho Falls Regional Office (900 Skyline Drive, #B, Idaho Falls, Idaho) on July 18, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This certification is in response to the Final License Application submitted to FERC on September 29, 2020, by the Idaho Irrigation District and New Sweden Irrigation District. DEQ received a water quality certification request on October 8, 2022, pursuant to CWA § 401, for the issuance of a new FERC license authorizing operation of the County Line Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 14513-003. The proposed project is located on the mainstem of the Snake River, approximately 10 miles north of Idaho Falls.

Based upon its review of the certification request, DEQ certifies that if the Idaho Irrigation District and New Sweden Irrigation District comply with the terms and conditions imposed by the FERC license, and the conditions set forth in this water quality certification, then it is reasonable for DEQ to conclude that the activity will comply with water quality requirements, including applicable requirements of the CWA §§ 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307, Idaho’s “Water Quality Standards” (IDAPA 58.01.02), and other appropriate water quality requirements of state law. Under CWA § 401, the project must be certified by the state within one year of receipt of the application before it can be relicensed by FERC. DEQ has until October 8, 2023, to certify the project.

Members of the public are invited to review and comment on the draft certification available at DEQ’s Idaho Falls Regional Office (900 Skyline Drive, #B, Idaho Falls, Idaho) and on DEQ’s Public Comment Opportunities page. Documents relating to the license application can be reviewed by accessing FERC’s eLibrary, docket number P-14513. Written comments will be accepted through August 7, 2023, at 5 p.m. MDT. Submit comments electronically on DEQ’s web page or by mail, or email to:

Alex Bell
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
900 Skyline Dr. #B
Idaho Falls, ID, 83402
Alex.Bell@deq.idaho.gov

July 5, 2023

Contact: Kelsey Carter, Drinking Water Analyst, Kelsey.Carter@deq.idaho.gov.

ISLAND PARK — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is issuing a boil water order for Goose Bay Estates, Aspen Ridge Subdivision, Valley View Subdivision, and Shotgun Cherokee Subdivision in Island Park, Idaho.

DEQ found E. coli bacteria in the subdivisions’ water supplies during multiple on-site evaluations and sample collection events. These bacteria can make you sick and are especially a concern for people with weakened immune systems.

Until further notice from DEQ, residents and businesses connected to Goose Bay Estates, Aspen Ridge Subdivision, Valley View Subdivision, and Shotgun Cherokee Subdivision water systems are advised to boil their water for a minimum of one minute before consuming or use bottled water.

View the Boil Order for more details on what to do. For more information, contact the following:

Island Park Water Company
455 Constitution Way
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(208) 521‐2369
water@ida.net

Kelsey Carter
Drinking Water Analyst
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
900 N. Skyline, Ste. B
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(208) 528‐2650
Kelsey.Carter@deq.idaho.gov

July 5, 2023

Contact: Kelsey Carter, Drinking Water Analyst, Kelsey.Carter@deq.idaho.gov.

ISLAND PARK — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is issuing a boil water advisory for Shotgun North and Shotgun Kickapoo in Island Park, Idaho.

During routine drinking water distribution system monitoring, DEQ was made aware of the ongoing lack of water and pressure on May 1, 2023. At this time, it is unclear to DEQ what is causing the problem. A drop in/loss of water pressure creates conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through backflow, by backpressure, or back-siphonage. As a result, there is an increased chance that the drinking water may contain disease-causing organisms.

Until further notice from DEQ, residents and businesses connected to Shotgun North and Shotgun Kickapoo water systems are advised to boil their water for a minimum of one minute before consuming or use bottled water.

View the Boil Order for more details on what to do. For more information, contact the following:

Island Park Water Company
455 Constitution Way
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(208) 521‐2369
water@ida.net

Kelsey Carter
Drinking Water Analyst
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
900 N. Skyline, Ste. B
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(208) 528‐2650
Kelsey.Carter@deq.idaho.gov

June 30, 2023 

Contact: Mary Anne Nelson, Administrator Surface & Wastewater Division, Mary.Anne.Nelson@deq.idaho.gov

BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks applications for the fiscal year 2024 Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Improvement Grant Program. 

The grant program is designed to support implementation of environmental improvement programs on CAFOs for the purpose of improving soil, water, and air quality with an emphasis on manure and nutrient management. Eligible projects must address manure or wastewater management and be ready to implement.

Interested applicants should submit a completed application. Resources and instructions are on DEQ’s CAFO Improvement Fund page under “Resources.” Applications will be accepted from July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023. Email completed application materials to Mary.Anne.Nelson@deq.idaho.gov.

June 30, 2023

Contact: Troy Smith, IPDES Bureau Chief, Troy.Smith@deq.idaho.gov

BOISE – The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality marks five years in administering the Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) Program. The state-operated program conducts permitting, compliance, inspections, and enforcement of discharge permits into Idaho waters from industrial and municipal facilities, federal facilities, and stormwater systems. The IPDES Program sets pretreatment requirements and limits on what can be discharged to waterways to ensure that the discharge does not harm water quality or public health. The program also ensures Idaho permittees have direct access to state permit writers and compliance officers who have local knowledge of Idaho’s communities, facilities, and surface waters.

The IPDES Program currently manages 162 individual and general permits, along with the pretreatment and biosolids programs across the state. Since program implementation began on July 1, 2018, DEQ has issued 30 individual permits, authorized more than 500 general permit coverages, completed nearly 600 inspections, and provided extensive customer and compliance assistance. Additionally, more than 2,500 individuals have used the IPDES E-Permitting System to submit permitting, reporting, and compliance information to DEQ. The IPDES Program continues to streamline processes and procedures to improve permit development efficiency, permit compliance, and user experience with E-Permitting.

June 30, 2023 

Contact: Tasha Owen, Water Quality Analyst, tasha.owen@deq.idaho.gov.

TWIN FALLS — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking a representative to fill a vacancy on the Upper Snake Basin Advisory Group (BAG). The vacancy representation is for Public at Large.

The Upper Snake BAG is comprised of citizens, appointed by DEQ’s director, representing stakeholder groups from 19 counties in southern Idaho. The BAG advises DEQ on water quality objectives within Idaho’s Upper Snake Basin and represents industries and interests directly affected by water quality programs within the basin. The BAG meets as necessary to advise DEQ on the following matters:

• Priorities within the basin
• Revisions needed in the designated beneficial uses for water bodies within the basins
• Categories to which water bodies in the basin should be assigned
• Processes for developing and implementing total maximum daily loads
• Members to be appointed to watershed advisory groups
• Water quality 319 nonpoint source priority projects throughout the region

Members must have a demonstrated interest or expertise that will benefit the work of the group. Anyone interested in serving on the BAG as a representative of the above interest group should contact Tasha Owen at (208) 736-2190 or tasha.owen@deq.idaho.gov by 5 p.m. MDT on August 31, 2023.

June 26, 2023

Contact: MaryAnna Peavey, Grants and Loans Bureau Chief, MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov

BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a $3,124,087 low-interest wastewater construction loan to the city of Harrison in Kootenai County.

The funding will be used to upgrade the system’s treatment plant by transitioning to application treatment, constructing a new four-inch parallel force main to the system’s wastewater treatment plant, upgrading the system’s existing parallel force main, and constructing a new central lift station.

DEQ is authorized by state law to make loans to assist in the construction of public wastewater systems. Since the annual cost of wastewater service for residential customers exceeds one and one-half percent of the median household income, the city of Harrison qualifies for a disadvantaged loan that carries favorable repayment terms.

The loan from DEQ’s State Revolving Loan Fund, which is capitalized annually by grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, carries a simple 1.50% interest rate, is payable over 30 years, and has a $1,621,849 principal forgiveness. The favorable loan terms represent a $3,308,126 savings to the community when compared to average costs for municipal general obligation debt issuances.