Department of
Environmental Quality

Basin Advisory Groups (BAGs) are groups of citizens that advise DEQ's director on water quality objectives within Idaho's six basins.

BAG Membership

BAG members are appointed by the director of DEQ and represent a cross-section of interests in the basin. By statute, the membership of BAGs must be representative of the industries and interests directly affected by the implementation of water quality programs within the basin. Each member must either reside within the basin or represent persons with a real property interest within the basin.

Among the interests which may be represented on BAGs are agriculture, mining, nonmunicipal point source discharge permittees, forest products, local government, livestock, Indian tribes (for areas within reservation boundaries), water-based recreation, and environmental interests.In addition, each BAG must include a person to represent the public at large who may reside outside the basin. BAG members are expected to have a demonstrated interest or expertise that will benefit to the work of the group.

BAG Responsibilities

BAGs are responsible for advising DEQ's director on:

Idaho Basins and DEQ Regions

Click on the map to link to a list of BAG members in each basin.

• Panhandle Basin Advisory Group
• Clearwater Basin Advisory Group
• Salmon Basin Advisory Group
• Southwest Basin Advisory Group
• Upper Snake Basin Advisory Group
• Bear River Basin Advisory Group