Anyone can ask to see or receive copies of DEQ’s records that are created in the course of business under the Idaho Public Records Law (Idaho Code § 74-1). While DEQ strives for transparency, certain confidential records may not be released; these types of records are described in the Idaho Public Records Law Manual.
Submit a public records request
There are several ways to submit a public records request:
- Submit a request online.
- Print the form and deliver it to a regional office via mail, email, fax, or hand delivery.
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We may charge for a public records request if paper copies are made for you, or it takes staff longer than 2 hours to produce the records. Idaho Code authorizes DEQ to establish a copying fee schedule for the actual cost of making more than 100 paper copies or if a commercial printer must be hired. Commercial printers are used for oversized paper copies of blueprints and plans or large volumes of records. We will charge for the time spent on a records request after 2 hours have been exceeded.
DEQ is authorized by Idaho Code § 74-102 to charge fees to recover costs associated with locating and copying documents in responding to a public records request. No fees are charged for the first 2 hours of labor or for copying the first 100 pages of documents, except for fees authorized or prescribed under other provisions of Idaho law. We create electronic copies and send them via email to eliminate the need for paper copies.
The person requesting records will be charged for the following:
- Request is for more than 100 pages of paper records.
- Request includes records from which nonpublic information must be deleted.
- Actual labor associated with responding to the request exceeds 2-person hours.
| Idaho Code Reference | Type of Work Involved | Costs |
| §74-102(10)(b)(i) | Photocopying more than 100 sheet pages on standard 8.5 × 11-inch paper | $.02 per page black and white $.08 per page color |
| §74-102(10)(c) | Photocopying on sheets other than standard 8.5 × 11-inch paper | Actual cost—varies depending on size |
| §74-102(10)(e) | Where labor exceeds 2 person hours | $18.21 per hour |
| §74-102(10)(e) | Where review by the Office of the Attorney General is required | $36.83 per hour |
| §74-102(10)(c) | Where DEQ has copy-related out-of-pocket costs | Actual cost |
| §74-102(10)(d)(i) | Where records are provided in the form of compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), USB flash drive, or similar form | Actual cost |
| §74-102(10)(c) | Where copies of records are mailed or shipped | Actual cost |
| §74-102(10)(d)(ii) | Where DEQ has a standard charge for selling information in the form of a publication | Standard cost for selling published information |
- Paper copies are duplexed whenever possible and treated as a single copy for fee assessment.
- Idaho sales tax is assessed on copy fees and DEQ’s out-of-pocket costs.
- If we believe a requester is breaking down a request into a series of requests to avoid fee assessment, the requests will be combined to determine the total fee.
To request a fee waiver for processing your request, complete the following form and submit with your records request.
To qualify for a fee waiver, all of the following must apply:
- Is likely to contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of the operations or activities of the government;
- Is not primarily in the individual interest of the requester including, but not limited
to, the requester’s interest in litigation in which the requester is or may become a
party; and - Will not occur if fees are charged because the requester has insufficient financial
resources to pay the fees.
The following resources link to several DEQ databases. Often, information can be found using the resources below in lieu of a formal public records request.
- Waste and Remediation:
- Facility Mapper (Terradex): https://idaho.terradex.com/
- Underground Storage Tank: https://www2.deq.idaho.gov/waste/ustlust/
- Issued Permits and Certifications:
- 401 certifications; permits by rule; permits to construct, Tier I and II; FERC; hazardous waste; IPDES Individual – POTW and Industrial; and Reuse permits can be found here: https://www.deq.idaho.gov/permits/issued-permits-and-water-quality-certifications/
- Wastewater:
- Septic permits, location, and drawings are requested through your health district. Contact your health district here: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/community-health/public-health-districts
- Ground Water:
- Source Water Assessment Online: https://mapcase.deq.idaho.gov/swa/
- Ground Water Quality Monitoring and Protection: https://mapcase.deq.idaho.gov/gwq/
- Air Quality:
- Real-Time Monitoring Map: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map
- Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System:
- EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO): https://echo.epa.gov/
- IPDES issued NOIs (general permits): website to come
- Drinking Water:
- Sample Results: http://dww.deq.idaho.gov/IDPDWW/
- Surface Water:
- DEQ Integrated Report: https://mapcase.deq.idaho.gov/wq2020/
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Records Program Lead