Author: Tara Kleffner
DEQ announces public comment period for draft air quality monitoring network plan
Accepting comments from May 16, 2025, through June 15, 2025.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is announcing a public comment period for the draft 2025 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Annual Network Plan.
The network plan outlines how the agency intends to operate its air quality monitoring stations throughout the state and includes information on monitoring station locations, sampling, analysis methods, and operating schedules.
The draft 2025 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Annual Network Plan is available for public review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 N. Hilton Street, Boise, Idaho) and on DEQ’s Public Comment Opportunities page. Written comments will be accepted through June 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. MDT. Submit comments below, or by mail or email:
Ben Seely
Air Quality Division
DEQ State Office
1410 N. Hilton Street
Boise, ID 83706
ben.seely@deq.idaho.gov
Related Documents
Draft 2025 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Annual Network Plan
Accessibility Services: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.
Coeur d’Alene Lake Comprehensive Coring Project
Click an image to enlarge
Project Sponsor
Coeur d’Alene Tribe
Purpose
This project is a collaboration between the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, University of Oregon, and Indiana State University. This team is analyzing lakebed sediment core samples from Coeur d’Alene Lake and determining how the history of metals contamination and recovery actions along the Coeur d’Alene River have impacted the lake. The analyses focus on geochemistry and ecological parameters through time and seeks to answer the following questions:
- What was the lake’s baseline ecology and environmental condition before mining impacts and other human activities?
- How has the lake’s ecology and environmental condition changed through the mining era and the subsequent remedial, restoration, and lake management work?
- If recent history continues, how do we expect the lake’s ecology and environmental conditions to respond, given the paleolimnologic context generated by this study?
Funding
This project received $200,000 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative, with matching funds provided by Avista Corp ($200,000) and the Coeur d’Alene Basin Restoration Partnership.
Current Status
Core samples were collected in September 2024. The analyses have started and will continue over the next two to three years. The final report is expected in 2027.
Outcome
This project will provide information to guide future restoration efforts. More realistic lake restoration goals can be set when viewed through a richer historical lens than what is provide by the current lake monitoring record.
DEQ awards $610,000 to Murray Water Association
February 20, 2025
Contact: MaryAnna Peavey, Grants and Loans Bureau Chief, MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
BOISE – The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today awarded $610,000 in drinking water construction funding to Murray Water Association in Shoshone County, Idaho.
The funding will be used to improve drinking water storage capacity, including adding a generator, transmission lines from source wells, a storage tank, and a booster station.
DEQ is authorized by state law to make loans to assist in the construction of public drinking water systems. Since the annual cost of drinking water service for residential customers exceeds 1.5% of the median household income, Murray Water Association qualifies for a disadvantaged loan, which carries favorable repayment terms.
The loan from DEQ’s State Revolving Loan Fund, which is capitalized annually by grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, has $610,000 in principal forgiveness. The favorable loan terms represent $1,060,569 in savings to the community when compared to average costs for municipal general obligation debt issuances.
DEQ seeks comment on draft 401 water quality certification for Lower Salmon Falls Dam suction dredge project
Accepting comments from May 23, 2025, through June 13, 2025.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking comment on a draft water quality certification for the Lower Salmon Falls Dam suction dredge project.
This project proposes to remove sediment that has accumulated upstream of the dam since its recommissioning in 1949. It is estimated that up to 8,300 cubic yards of sediment will be removed with mechanical suction dredging and temporarily stored in the geotextile dewatering bags to reach optimal moisture content.
Based upon review of the federal permit application, readily available water quality related materials, and certification request in accordance with 40 CFR §§ 121.5 (b) and (c) and 121.7 (c) received on April 23, 2025, DEQ certifies that if the permittee complies with the terms and conditions imposed by the federal permit and the conditions set forth in this water quality certification, then it is reasonable for DEQ to conclude that the activity will comply with water quality requirements, including applicable requirements of the Clean Water Act §§ 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307, Idaho’s “Water Quality Standards” (IDAPA 58.01.02), and other appropriate water quality requirements of state law.
Written comments will be accepted through June 13, 2025, at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. Submit comments electronically using the form below or by mail or email to:
Jake Barnes
650 Addison Avenue West, Suite 110
Twin Falls, ID 83301
jake.barnes@deq.idaho.gov
Related Documents
Draft Certification
Accessibility Services: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.