The Mid-Snake WAG was originally created in the late 1980's as an outgrowth of the Mid-Snake Study Group that met representing stakeholder industries of the Upper Snake Rock and Lake Walcott subbasins. The primary purpose and concern was to provide input to DEQ and EPA in restoring the beneficial uses and water quality standards of the Snake River and major tributaries. From this group came the draft Mid-Snake Nutrient Management Plan in 1995; this became the Mid-Snake TMDL in 1997. In 2005 as a consequence of House Bill 1284, the WAG-BAG process was established by the Idaho Legislature. As a result, the Mid-Snake WAG (representing the Upper Snake Rock Subbasin) and the Lake Walcott WAG (representing the Lake Walcott Subbasin) were formed; the separation being at Milner Dam. The outgrowth of this was the Upper Snake Rock TMDL and the Lake Walcott TMDL, both in 2005. Both WAGs have stakeholder industries that represent irrigation agriculture, aquaculture, confined animal feeding operations, food processors, municipalities, grazing, recreation and forestry. Ground water is also a concern to both WAGs and is also included in the approved TMDLs. Currently, both WAGs meet quarterly (or as needed) and both continue to provide input to DEQ and EPA on TMDL issues and other water quality related issues.
> Overview of TMDL Process (on DEQ's Web site) |
