| Watershed
advisory groups (WAGs) and basin advisory groups (BAGs) are committees
of interested individuals that provide information and advice to
DEQ on water quality issues and objectives in specific areas of
the state. The roles of WAGs and BAGs are outlined in Idaho
Statute (39-3613 through 39-3616).
BAGs
The state
is divided into six basins and each basin has a BAG whose role is
to advise DEQ on water quality objectives in its basin. The DEQ
director appoints BAG members who represent a cross-section of interests
in the basin, such as agriculture, forestry, municipalities, industry,
recreation, Native American tribes, and environmental interests.
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WAGs
The BAGs recommend people
for the DEQ director to appoint to WAGs. As the name implies, WAGs
provide guidance on specific watersheds, whereas BAGs provide guidance
on much larger basins. Watershed advisory groups provide local public
input and guidance to DEQ when developing water quality improvement
plans or TMDLs. more |