DEQ is responsible for protecting Idaho’s environment and citizens from the adverse effects of pollution.
Inspections
We inspect industrial sources to ensure facilities meet environmental protection requirements and permit conditions if applicable. Our inspectors are authorized by the Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act to enter and inspect facilities unannounced.
Public Complaint Response and Referrals
DEQ is often asked by the public to respond to pollution complaints. If we receive a complaint, an inspector performs an on-site investigation to determine if a law, rule, or permit has been violated. If violations occurred, the inspector may conduct one or more of the following:
- Provide compliance assistance efforts to resolve the issue.
- Issue a notice to comply. This notice requires the facility to correct issues within a specified time frame.
- Issue a notice of violation and enter into a Consent Order. This process is used for more complex violations.
Submit a complaint on our environmental concern form or contact your regional office.
According to the National Emission Standards for Asbestos (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M), an Asbestos NESHAP 10-Day Renovation and Demolition Notification Form is required if the combined amount of regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM) to be stripped and removed, dislodged, cut, or similarly disturbed during a renovation project is the cumulative sum of one or more of the following quantities:
- At least 260 linear feet (80 linear meters) of RACM measured by length (e.g., thermal system insulation)
- At least 160 square feet (15 square meters) of RACM measured by area (e.g., wall or ceiling texture)
- At least 35 cubic feet (1 cubic meter) of RACM measured by volume (e.g., boiler jacket debris)
All demolition projects require submittal of the Asbestos NESHAP 10-Day Renovation and Demolition Notification Form.
EPA delegated regulatory authority to DEQ to oversee the abatement and disposal of asbestos-containing materials at Tier 1 major facilities. All Asbestos Renovation and Demolition Notification Forms representing asbestos activities occurring at Tier 1 major facilities must be emailed to DEQ. Facilities classified as Tier 1 are available on our Issued Permits and Water Quality Certifications web page.
EPA Region 10 has jurisdiction over all nonmajor facilities (e.g., public, commercial, and institutional structures). All Asbestos Renovation and Demolition Notification Forms representing asbestos activities occurring at nonmajor facilities must be mailed to EPA.
For Tier 1 major facilities, email the Asbestos NESHAP 10-Day Renovation and Demolition Notification Form to emanuel.ziolkowski@deq.idaho.gov.
DEQ Direct Contacts:
Emanuel Ziolkowski
Air Quality Compliance Assurance Program Supervisor
DEQ State Office
1410 N. Hilton Street
Boise, ID 83706
emanuel.ziolkowski@deq.idaho.gov
(208) 373-0102
Laurie Kuther
Air Quality Compliance Analyst
DEQ State Office
1410 N. Hilton Street
Boise, ID 83706
laurie.kuther@deq.idaho.gov
(208) 373-0500
For nonmajor facilities, mail the Asbestos NESHAP 10-Day Renovation and Demolition Notifications to the following address:
Asbestos NESHAP Coordinator
US EPA, Region 10 (20-C04)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 155
Seattle, WA 98101
EPA Direct Contact:
Andrew Gregory
Air Compliance Inspector
Air and Toxics Enforcement Section
US EPA Region 10
gregory.andrew@epa.gov
Fugitive dust is small particulate matter (PM) that is suspended in the air from soil that has been disturbed by wind or human activities such as earthmoving and vehicular traffic on unpaved surfaces.
Understand the Health Effects of Particulate Matter
The fugitive dust particles most significant to human health are less than 10 micrometers in diameter. Due to their small size, these particulates can get deep into your lungs and can contribute to respiratory illness, lung damage, and even premature death in sensitive individuals.
Preventing Fugitive Dust Emissions
- Plan ahead by developing a dust prevention and control plan.
- Minimize the surface area disturbed. The less ground disturbed, the less dust raised.
- Take extra precautions on windy days.
- Clean up track out dirt immediately.
- Water and sweep roadways often.
- Reduce speed limits on unpaved surfaces to 10–15 miles per hour.
- Rinse vehicles before they leave the property and cover loads.
- Keep storage piles physically covered when not in use or use a dust suppressant to reduce fugitive dust emissions.
Controlling Fugitive Dust Emissions
- Use dust suppression measures such as water or chemicals when needed.
- Use storage silos, three-sided bunkers, open-ended buildings, or wind fencing to enclose handling areas.
- Grow vegetative ground cover to hold the soil in place.
- Use wind erosion controls such as bushes, trees, wood or rock walls, earthen banks, or porous wind or snow fences to prevent wind erosion.
The Forms / Checklists tab provides compliance reporting forms for industrial sources of air pollution.
- Tier I Reporting Forms for annual compliance certification and semiannual reports.
- Portable Equipment Relocation forms are used by rock crushing, hot-mix asphalt, and concrete batch plants when they move from one location to another.
- Excess Emissions Initial Notification form for excess emissions due to startup, shutdown, scheduled maintenance, upset, breakdown, or safety measures.
- Excess Emissions Report form for all excess emissions events.
Tier I Reporting Forms
- Tier I Annual Compliance Certification Form
- Instructions for Tier I Annual Compliance Certification
- Tier I Annual Compliance Certification Table
- Instructions for Tier I Annual Compliance Certification Table
- Instructions for Tier I Semiannual Deviation Summary Table
- Tier I Semiannual Deviation Summary Table
- Instructions for Tier I Semiannual Report
- Tier I Semiannual Report
- Tier I Semiannual Monitoring Table
Excess Emissions Reporting
Portable Equipment Relocation
Because smoke is a potential public health and environmental concern, outdoor open burning is a regulated activity in Idaho. Regulations cover residential, agriculture, forestry, rangeland, weed control burning, and others. By following the air quality rules and implementing basic smoke management practices, open burning can be implemented without causing a health concern. Visit our Smoke and Burning page to learn more.
Staff Contact
Air Quality Compliance Assurance Program Supervisor
Air Quality Stationary Source Bureau Chief