Amends existing law to revise priority classifications for certain water bodies in regard to the development of total maximum daily load or equivalent processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY - Amends existing law to revise priority classifications for certain water bodies in regard to the development of total maximum daily load or equivalent processes.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Federal clean water act regulations require states to identify water bodies that do not meet water quality standards and develop a water quality improvement plan, called a total maximum daily load (TMDL), for each. States then prioritize TMDLs by taking into account the severity of pollution and uses of the water bodies. Federal law permits states to take other factors, such as department resources or data quality, under consideration as well when setting priorities for TMDL development. Current Idaho Code language, however, does not allow the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to take advantage of this added flexibility. The purpose of this legislation is to make Idaho Code consistent with federal law and ensure DEQ can fully utilize the flexibility allowed when prioritizing TMDLs.
HOW THEY VOTED
Senate Third Reading
YEA (35)
NAY (0)
House Third Reading
YEA (67)
NAY (0)
ABSENT / NOT VOTING (3)
LATEST ACTION
Signed by Governor on 03/22/16 Session Law Chapter 111 Effective: 07/01/2016
BILL INFO
- Session
- 2016
- Chamber
- senate
- Status date
- Mar 22, 2016