Department of Environmental Quality HomeSearchFeedbackContact UsAccess Idaho
skip nav
About Us
Public Info & Input
Air
Water
Waste
INL Oversight
Maps & Data
Rules & Regs

See Also

Overview of DEQ's

Water Division

Water Quality Management Plan

 

Contact DEQ

Regional Office
Water Quality Managers

State Office
Water Quality Division

Barry Burnell

(208) 373-0502

Water Quality: Continuing Planning Process

 
CPP Organization                                         CPP  Requirements                            
 

DEQ is the agency responsible for implementing environmental protection laws and programs for the state of Idaho.  As the agency tasked with implementing the federal Clean Water Act in Idaho, DEQ is required by section 303(e) of the act to develop a Continuing Planning Process (CPP) that describes the ongoing processes and planning requirements of the state's water quality program.

In essence, the CPP is a description of how Idaho manages water quality. Together, this Web page, the six Web pages reached by clicking on the elements of the graphic below, and the Web page describing Idaho's Water Quality Management Plan summarize Idaho's management strategy and form the nucleus of Idaho's CPP. These Web pages provide links throughout DEQ's Web site to information and documents that provide detailed explanations of the topics covered.  

The graphic below provides a visual overview of Idaho's management strategy.  Click on the pictures to learn more about specific aspects of Idaho's CPP, or hover over pictures for lists of links to related pages.

 
 
 CPP Organization

As the name "Continuing Planning Process" implies, a CPP is not a static document, but an evolving process that grows and changes as circumstances change.  Therefore, Idaho's CPP is a living, Web-based "document" that demonstrates how the many aspects of the CPP interrelate and provides direct access to supporting materials and the many documents that make up Idaho's Water Quality Management Plan.

As represented above, public involvement is at the center of DEQ's activities and programs.  DEQ's water quality planning activities comprise a continual loop of the interrelated aspects of laws and rules, water quality programs, water quality monitoring and assessment, implementation of water quality maintenance and restoration projects, and ongoing planning.  Inherent in these is continual feedback, public involvement, improvement, and change.  The public is primarily involved at three individual points on DEQ's water quality loop: creating Idaho laws and rules; monitoring, assessing, and reporting on the quality of Idaho's waters; and implementing measures to restore and maintain water quality. 

 
 CPP Requirements
Federal regulations (40 CFR §130.5) describe a minimum of nine CPP requirements.  The list below identifies each requirement and provides links to documents and Web pages that demonstrate how DEQ has fulfilled that requirement.
 

 1.  Effluent Limitations

    The process for developing effluent limitations and schedules of compliance that are at least as stringent as those required by Sections 301(b)(1) and (2), 306, and 307 of the Clean Water Act and at least as stringent as any requirements contained in applicable water quality standards.  These sections refer to limits placed on pollutants that are discharged to water from point sources such as industrial sites and publicly owned treatment works. 
    These limitations and schedules are covered under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which in Idaho is operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 
 

 2.  Waste Treatment and Basin Plans

    The process for incorporating elements of any area wide waste treatment plans under Section 208, and applicable basin plans under Section 209 of the Clean Water Act. 
   

DEQ implements basinwide and statewide planning with its integrated report and related data-gathering processes. This report helps DEQ set priorities and is the basis for writing TMDLs, which are subbasin-specific.  TMDLs establish maximum loads for nonpoint and point sources of pollution.  Point sources are required to obtain NPDES permits from EPA.  DEQ reviews these and other federal permits and certifies that they comply with TMDLs and do not violate water quality standards.  Idaho's water basins each have a "basin advisory group" whose role is to advise DEQ on water quality objectives in that basin. Each basin also has several "watershed advisory groups" that are involved in the TMDL and implementation plan processes.
 

 3.  Total Maximum Daily Loads
    The process for developing total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and individual water quality based effluent limitations in accordance with section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.  
    TMDLs are developed for water bodies that do not meet Idaho water quality standards, in accordance with the State of Idaho Guidance for the Development of TMDLs (pdf, 221 kb).  Point source effluent limitations are covered under the NPDES program, operated by EPA.
 

 4.  Water Quality Management Plans

    The process for updating and maintaining Water Quality Management Plans, including schedules for revision. 
    Idaho's Water Quality Management Plan is comprised of various programs and guidance documents, each of which is continually maintained and updated.
 

 5.  Adequate Authority

    The process for assuring adequate authority for intergovernmental cooperation in the implementation of the state water quality management program. 
    DEQ is granted authority to implement Idaho's water quality management program through state laws and regulations and through primacy from EPA. DEQ enters into many interagency agreements (mainly memoranda of understanding/agreement) to assure intergovernmental cooperation in Idaho's water quality management program. 
 

 6.  Water Quality Standards

    The process for establishing and assuring adequate implementation of new or revised water quality standards [for surface waters].
   

Idaho has adopted water quality standards to protect the public and restore the quality of Idaho's surface waters.  The standards are the benchmarks that waters are compared to to determine the need for TMDLs or antidegradation measures.  DEQ's §401 certification program ensures federally permitted or licensed activities meet water quality standards, while continual monitoring and assessment provide feedback on the achievement of water quality standards.  DEQ reviews its water quality standards at least once every three years to ensure that standards meet public concerns, reflect new scientific and technical information, and follow EPA guidelines. New standards are codified in Idaho's Water Quality Standards and Wastewater Treatment Requirements (pdf on Department of Administration Web site) rules through the state rulemaking process.

 

 7.  Adequate Controls

    The process for ensuring adequate controls for the disposition of all residual waste from water treatment processing.   
    To control residual waste from water treatment processing, DEQ approves or disapproves plans for wastewater treatment and disposal facilities, issues wastewater-land application permits, and provides §401 certification of federal NPDES permits (issued by EPA). 
 

 8.  Construction of Waste Treatment Works
    The process for developing an inventory and ranking in priority order of needs for construction of waste treatment works under Clean Water Act Sections 301 and 302. 
    DEQ queries wastewater treatment systems regularly to obtain information on projects for which construction loan funds could be used. Potential projects must be listed on the state's annual priority list (pdf 16 kb, 4 pages), which is developed through a rating and ranking process based upon public health concerns. Fundable projects on the priority list are placed on the Intended Use Plan, which outlines the purpose and goals of the state's wastewater loan program, explains how projects are selected for funding, and identifies priority projects eligible for state assistance.
 

 9.  Permit Issuance

    The process for determining the priority of permit issuance. 
   

This process is covered under NPDES, which in Idaho is operated by EPA. 

 
 



  Home | Search | Contact Us |Feedback | About PDF Files | Acronyms | Glossary | State of Idaho | Privacy Notice  
  Copyright © 2000-2009, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. All rights reserved.