United Slates
Environmental Protection
Agency
Idaho
Environmental
Quality Profile
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
December 1979
i «v
•
:,-..•/••'/
i:=* _•&.
-------
Preface
This is the third annual report to the people of the State of Idaho regarding the status of their
environment. Information presented has been compiled by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) from numerous sources in state and local government, especially the
Department of Health and Welfare, as well as from other institutions.
The report discusses progress in environmental preservation that has been made to date,
addresses some of the related problems and issues faced by the people of the state,
and identifies some solutions to those problems and issues.
The Northwest is growing—more industry attracts more people—and the results of
that growth are not always environmentally beneficial. Consequently, the state faces a
challenge: accommodating increased growth while retaining its greatest resource, a
beautiful and healthy environment.
Naturally, the traditional industrial and muncipal pollution sources are of concern, but many
of the region's problems are due to nontraditional sources of pollution. Agricultural
and forest practices can significantly affect water quality especially on rivers with consistently
low stream flows. Many chemicals, including some pesticides and herbicides have serious
health effects that have been recognized only recently. Urban development itself, separate
from industry, creates diverse pollution problems affecting the air, water, and land.
While Idaho and the Northwest may be seen as relatively environmentally "clean" when
compared to other parts of the'nation, continuing efforts are necessary to maintain that
status, as well as to better understand and resolve current regional problems. An informed
public is essential to this effort, and it is hoped that this document will provide a better
perspective on some crucial resource management issues facing the state as well as
the nation.
Space limits a complete presentation of many complex technical issues, therefore, the
reader interested in additional information is invited to contact the Region 10 office of
EPA in Seattle for other publications that contribute to increased understanding of specific
topics. Comments and suggestions are also solicited regarding improvements to future issues
of this publication.
Donald P. Dubois
Regional Administrator, Region 10
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Seattle, Washington
September, 1979
-------
Contents/Summary
1 Air Quality
In 1978, most areas in Idaho met air quality
standards, and there was relatively little
change in air quality from the previous year, except
that total suspended particulates increased
in Lewiston and Pocatello, and decreased in Soda
Springs and Boise. Problems with rural fugitive
dust remain, but more stringent controls on
industrial fugitive emissions and other area
sources are expected to enable total suspended
particulate standards to be met by 1982. Industrial
sulfur dioxide emissions resulted in ambient
levels in excess of standards in the Kellogg,
Conda-Soda Springs, and Pocatello areas;
however, some improvement was observed, and
additional control measures are planned to achieve
compliance. Idaho complied with nitrogen
dioxide standards in 1978. No data was available
for ozone for 1978, however the state is assumed
to be meeting ozone standards. The lead
standard was exceeded in the Kellogg area, but
other hazardous substances, particularly asbestos,
are under control.
7 River Water
A number of Idaho's principal rivers and streams
have marginal or unacceptable water quality
during some portion of the year, and water
quality has exhibited little apparent change over
the last six years. The state's hot, arid summers
account for some degradation which is aggravated
by human influence in many areas. Existing
pollution arises from point sources, such as food,
metals, and phosphate processors, and municipal
sewage treatment plants. These sources are
controlled through National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System permits. Non-point sources
of pollution such as irrigation return flows and
precipitation runoff from farmlands, feedlots,
mining and forestry operations, are controlled by
areawide wastewater management programs. The
water quality criteria most often exceeded are
those for temperature, aesthetics turbidity,
bacteria, nutrient levels, solids, and inorganic
toxicity (heavy metals).
Noise 21
In Idaho there is no active state noise control
program for stationary or motor vehicle noise
sources, but local governments have ordinances
for nuisance noise.
Drinking Water 22
The water systems that serve 83 percent of the
population using community water systems in
Idaho comply with regulations for bacterial
contamination. The compliance status of
approximately one-quarter of the systems in the
state is unknown due to inadequate data. The
state has implemented several preventive public
health programs to improve drinking water quality.
Solid Waste and Hazardous
Substances 24
Past problems with traditional methods of solid
waste disposal have prompted the use of new
approaches in Idaho. Landfills for municipal
solid waste and sewage sludge are being more
carefully engineered and operated to avoid odors.
methane production, disease transmission, and
leaching of pollutants.
Production, use, and disposal of hazardous
materials has been a source of concern.
However, both mandatory and voluntary programs
have been implemented to better manage these
materials. EPA requires stringent monitoring of
radioactive materials and pesticides, although
the state has primary enforcement duties for
controlling these substances.
17
Lakes
Most impairments to Idaho's recreational lakes
and reservoirs appear to be due to algal blooms
stimulated by nutrients from agricultural
runoff and septic tanks, although industrial
wastewater, treated sewage, urban runoff, and
naturally occurring nutrients also contribute. A
variety of measures have been implemented to
met^r. i^i,~ „,.-,!;*,. ;
U.S. EPA LIBRARY REGION 10 MATERIALS
•V >
..4
RXDDDDD3733
-------
Summary of Environmental
Indicators for Idaho
MEDIA
INDICATOR
CURRENT
STATUS TREND
Air Quality Number of areas exceeding standards
River Water Percentage of monitoring stations meeting
Quality water quality goals (based on worst 3 months)
Lake Water Percentage of major recreational lakes with
Quality little or no use impairment
Drinking Water Percentage of population served by water supplies
Quality in compliance with regulations for bacterial
contamination
Percentage of community water supplies in
compliance with regulations for bacterial
contamination
Noise Percentage of population living in areas with
local noise control standards meeting state
objectives
Degree to which noise control regulations are
enforced
Solid Waste Number of resource recovery or recycling
Disposal facilities available
Number of hazardous waste handling sites
5 Little change
35% Little change
57% Little change
83% Improving
55% Improving
0% Little change
Poor Little change
7 Improving
2 Little change
-------
Air Quality
The task of improving air quality in the
Northwest continues to be a cooperative
effort among Federal, state, and local
environmental agencies, industry, and a
concerned, informed public. Since the
1970 Clean Air Act, considerable
investment has been made in time and
money in the search for solutions to the
most pressing pollution problems.
However, much remains to be done, and
this section gives some insight into the
types of air quality problems faced by the
citizens of Idaho.
Air Quality Standards —
Their History and Definition
The Clean Air Act of 1970 directed EPA
to establish National Ambient Air Quality
Standards ("ambient" refers to outside or
environmental conditions rather than
indoor air quality). In 1977, amendments
to the Act required that all standards be
met as soon as possible and practical. In
the case of primary (health-related)
standards, the new deadline is
December 31, 1982. An extension to
December 31, 1987 can be granted for
carbon monoxide and ozone.
The more highly concentrated a pollutant
is, the worse its effect on humans and
their environment. Because some
pollutants have both chronic and acute
effects on health, standards are based on
their average concentration over various
lengths of time with a margin of safety
included. Pollutants that exceed established
"primary standards" pose a threat to
public health. Exceeding "secondary
standards" has detrimental impacts on
agriculture, results in deterioration of many
consumer products and, in addition, has
other economic and non-health related
impacts. If the pollutant concentration
reaches the "alert level," individuals,
industry, and government should take
immediate action to protect human health
by curtailing outdoor activities, use of
automobiles, and certain industrial
operations.
In Idaho, standards have been set and
concentrations established which meet or
exceed Federal standards for five major
pollutants. Table 1 lists the effects on
Table 1.
Effects of Major Air Pollutants on
Health and Property
health and property that are the normal
result of exceeding those standards.
How Air Quality is Measured
Air quality data are collected at monitoring
stations located throughout Idaho,
primarily in concentrated population or
industrial centers (the most likely sources
of air pollution). Monitoring sites are
designated in this report as
commercial/industrial, residential, or rural.
However, air pollution can originate away
from the monitoring site. High pollutant
levels in a residential area, for example,
do not necessarily indicate the source is
located in that area. Not all pollutants are
monitored continuously at all stations; and
POLLUTANT
HEALTH EFFECTS
PROPERTY EFFECTS
Suspended
Particulates
Sulfur Dioxide
Correlated with increased bronchial Corrodes metals and concrete:
and respiratory disease, discolors surfaces: soils exposed
especially in young and elderly. materials: decreases visibility
Carbon Monoxide
Ozone
Nitrogen Dioxide
Upper respiratory irritation at low
concentrations: more difficult
breathing at moderate concentra-
tions (3000 ug/m1), correlated
with increased cardio-respiratory
disease, acute lung damage at
high concentrations.
Physiological stress in heart
patients; impairment of
psychomotor functions; dizziness
and headaches at lower concen-
trations; death when exposed to
1000 ppm for several hours.
Irritates eyes. nose, throat:
deactivates respiratory defense
mechanisms; damages lungs
Combines with hydrocarbons in
the presence of sunlight to form
photo-chemical smog; irritates
eyes, nose, throat; damages
lungs.
Corrodes and deteriorates steel,
marble, copper, nickel, aluminum.
and building materials; causes
brittleness in paper and loss of
strength in leather; deteriorates
natural and synthetic fibers:
"burns" sensitive crops.
Corrodes limestone and concrete
structures
Deteriorates rubber and fabrics;
corrodes metal; damages
vegetation.
Corrodes metal surfaces:
deteriorates rubber, fabrics.
and dyes
-------
monitors are not located in all counties,
primarily because of the high cost of
installation and operation. However, all
concentrated urban or industrial areas are
monitored. EPA has estimated the
percentage of days during which
concentrations of the various pollutants
exceeded the standards in Idaho during
1978, then compared this information with
1977 data to obtain short-term indications
of changes in air quality.
Air Quality in Idaho
Areas where a combination of high
emissions and weather conditions cause
air quality standards to be exceeded have
been designated as "non-attainment."
Currently, five urban and industrialized
areas in Idaho fall in this category. The
original determination of non-attainment
was based on data for 1975 through 1977;
therefore, areas that are presently
classified as attainment may have
exceeded the standards in 1978. It is
difficult to determine precise boundaries
for areas in which standards are
exceeded, especially for ozone, because it
is transported for long distances, so
county boundaries are used for display
purposes, although only a portion of the
county may be affected by the pollutant.
Idaho's major air pollutants and their
sources are discussed in the following
sections along with the progress being
made to meet air quality standards.
Suspended Particulates
Suspended particulates are solid or liquid
particles of different sizes and have health
effects that vary with size and composition.
Particulates can aggravate asthma and
chronic lung diseases and increase
coughing and chest discomfort. Some
particulates can be toxic or cancer-
causing (lead or asbestos particles, for
example). Particulate pollution may
interfere with visibility, injure vegetation,
and increase cleaning and maintenance
costs.
Some of the particulate emissions in Idaho
come from what are called "point
sources," which are easily identified
sources of emissions, such as
smokestacks. The rest cannot be
pinpointed to a specific source and are
termed area sources. These include mobile
sources (motor vehicle tailpipe emissions),
space heating (residence and commercial
heating units) and fugitive dust. The latter
includes dust created by certain industrial
and agricultural operations, and vehicles
on unpaved roads. In rural areas with little
major industrial development and low
population density, this fugitive dust is
composed mostly of natural dust, pollens
and soil particles and is believed to be
less harmful to the health. For this reason,
rural areas are considered to be attaining
air quality standards although particulate
standards are exceeded. The Boise area is
considered to be affected by rural fugitive
dust and is classified as an attainment
area since the city has no significant
industrial sources. Future analysis may be
needed to evaluate this classification in
light of Boise's recent urban growth.
Figure 1 shows the Idaho areas that
exceeded suspended particulate standards;
i.e., at least one monitoring site in the
county exceeded one or more of the
standards for total suspended particulates
(TSP) in 1978. Aside from counties where
rural fugitive dust accounts for exceeding
TSP standards, most violations are
focused around four urban and industrial
areas. Data from these areas are charted in
Figure 2, which shows the percentage of
days monitored on which samples exceeded
the standards.
In the Pocatello area and the Conda-Soda
Springs area, the major point sources of
total suspended particulates are fertilizer
and industrial chemical processors. In the
second area, fugitive dust from roads and
Figure 1.
Air Quality Status — Suspended Particulates
STANDARDS ATTAINED
SECONDARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
PRIMARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
ALERT LEVELS EXCEEDED
NO MONITORING OR INSUFFICIENT DATA
STANDARDS EXCEEDED DUE TO FUGITIVE DUST
D
Figure 2.
Percent of Observed Days Suspended
Particulates Exceeded Standards
AREAS
MONITORED
OBSERVED DAYS EXCEEDED (%)
10 20 30 40
Pocatello
C/l
Conda-c/i
Soda Springs ,
Lewiston c/i
Kellogg
c i
I
D
I I
I
II
II I
(16/57)
(10/60)
119)
(2/120)
(26/103)
(33/118)
(13/109)
C/L COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
R: RESIDENTIAL
r RURAL
NOTE: Number in parentheses represents total number of
days exceeding standards per number of observation days.
-------
fields also contributes to TSP levels in
excess of the standards. Idaho will require
more stringent controls on existing
industrial sources, including fugitive
industrial emissions, to control suspended
particulates. In Lewiston, where the wood
products industry and a kraft pulp mill in
particular are the chief point sources, the
state will set more restrictive limits on
emissions, and will study non-traditional
TSP sources to determine the reason for
elevated particulate levels. In the Kellogg
area where the Bunker Hill Company's
smelting operations are a major source of
TSP, the Company installed two 700-foot
stacks in 1977 to disperse particulate
emissions. Since these stacks were
activated, the particulate levels have
decreased. However, dispersion techniques
are not considered a permanent solution
and the state may require additional
operation controls to reduce TSP levels.
Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is formed when coal or oil
containing sulfur is burned, or when sulfur
is burned in an industrial process. This
gas can combine with moisture in the air
to form sulfuric acid. Breathing air
containing sulfur dioxide can produce
adverse health effects similar to those
described above for suspended
particulates. Rain that comes in contact
with sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere
corrodes buildings, is harmful to
vegetation, and can deteriorate the water
quality of lakes and streams far from the
source of the pollutant.
In the State of Idaho, the principal cause
of sulfur dioxide pollution is the smelting
of nonferrous ores (lead and zinc), and
the manufacture of phosphate fertilizer. In
recent years sulfur dioxide pollution has
declined due to the installation of pollution
control equipment.
Primary standards for sulfur dioxide were
exeeded during one percent or less of the
days monitored in 1978 in the Kellogg,
Conda-Soda Springs, and Pocatello areas
(Figure 3 and 4). In Kellogg, where the
Bunker Hill Company smelts and refines
lead and zinc, the rugged terrain of the
Silver Valley inhibits adequate dispersion
of sulfur dioxide, though the plant's two
700-foot stacks have improved the
situation. However, during frequent thermal
inversions, the plant must reduce or
discontinue production to keep sulfur
dioxide levels within the standards. EPA
and Bunker Hill Company will conduct
further studies to determine where
maximum sulfur dioxide concentrations
occur. The results of these studies will
provide the information necessary to
improve Bunker Hill's dispersion program
to safeguard the population until additional
controls are installed. Air quality in both
the residential and industrial areas of
Kellogg improved over 1977.
The major source of sulfur dioxide in the
Pocatello area is J.R. Simplot, which
processes fertilizers and industrial
chemicals. The company is installing
additional controls that should further
reduce their emissions by 25 percent. For
the first time since monitoring began in
1975, sulfur dioxide standards were exceeded
in the commercial/industrial area of Conda
during 1978. Ambient sulfur dioxide levels
in the rest of the monitored areas of Idaho
were less than 0.01 part per million, which is
well within standards.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless
gas—high concentrations cause uncon-
sciousness and death. At concentrations
above the primary standard, this pollutant
can interfere with mental alertness and
physical activity, especially for persons with
heart or lung disorders.
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of fossil
fuel combustion. Its major source is motor
vehicles, which are responsible for more than
90 percent of carbon monoxide emissions
in Boise, the only area where concentra-
tions in excess of the standards have been
monitored (Figures 5 and 6). Carbon
monoxide levels have remained unchanged
from 1977.
Plans for reducing carbon monoxide levels
center on improvements to individual
automobiles and to the transportation
Figure 3.
Air Quality Status — Sulfur Dioxide
OBSERVED DAYS EXCEEDED (»/.)
.5 1 1.5 2
Figure 4.
Percent of Observed Days Sulfur Dioxide
Exceeded Standards
AREAS
MONITORED
Kellogg c/n
Conda-
Soda Springs
Pocatello C/i
C'l COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL
NOTE: Number in parentheses represents total number of
days exceeding standards per number of observation days.
D
STANDARDS ATTAINED
SECONDARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
PRIMARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
NO MONITORING OH INSUFFICIENT DATA
-------
system as a whole. As older cars are
replaced by models with up-to-date
pollution control equipment, carbon
monoxide should decline. Regular vehicle
inspection and maintenance will ensure
that emission control devices are
functioning effectively. Other measures for
mitigating the carbon monoxide problem
are based upon reducing vehicle miles
traveled and include measures such as
traffic flow improvements, transit
improvements, carpooling, bike lanes, and
parking management.
As part of a draft transportation control
plan, Idaho will examine the feasibility of
an inspection and maintenance program
for automobiles and a carpool program.
Improved traffic flow and transit service
should also help to reduce carbon
monoxide levels. The City of Boise is also
considering a parking management
program that would reduce on-street
parking.
Ozone
Unlike the other air pollutants discussed in
this report, photochemical oxidants are not
given off by industries or automobiles.
Rather, they are product of a chemical
reaction that occurs in the atmosphere
when two other pollutants are present.
These are oxides of nitrogen (which are
discussed below) and hydrocarbons. The
chief source of hydrocarbons is
automobile exhaust. Volatile organic
compounds (VOC), such as solvents and
gasoline, also add to hydrocarbons when
they evaporate. Besides oxides of nitrogen
and hydrocarbons, sunlight is necessary
for the reaction'. When all three are present,
a class of chemicals known as photochemical
oxidants is produced, the most common
of which is the gas, ozone.
Ozone irritates the eyes and respiratory
system, aggravates asthma and chronic
lung disease, and reduces lung and heart
capacity. It probably causes more damage
to plants in the U.S. than any other
pollutant. Because both of the substances
that give rise to ozone come from
automobiles, measures taken to reduce
other automobile emissions, such as
Figure 5.
Air Quality Status — Carbon Monoxide
Figure 6.
Percent of Observed Days Carbon Monoxide
Exceeded Standards
AREAS
MONITORED
Boise c/i
OBSERVED DAYS EXCEEDED (%
10 21
U348)
C/I COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
NOTE: Number in parentheses represents total number of
days exceeding standards per number of observation days.
D
PRIMARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
ALERT LEVELS EXCEEDED
NO MONITORING OR INSUFFICIENT DATA
carbon monoxide, are also effective in
controlling ozone.
Idaho has been designated as attaining
ozone standards, even though no
monitoring stations are located in the
state. The State of Idaho is placing two
ozone monitors in the Boise area so the
attainment status of this area can be
verified.
Nitrogen Dioxide
Oxides of nitrogen are gases formed
mainly by combustion. Sources include
automobiles and power plants. Besides
irritating the eyes and respiratory tract and
damaging metal, rubber, fabric and dyes,
oxides of nitrogen contribute to
photochemical oxidants, as described
above.
During 1978, Idaho complied with the
nitrogen dioxide standard. In the state, as
elsewhere in the nation, emission levels of
nitrogen dioxide from vehicles seem to be
stable (even though the number of vehicle
miles driven has increased in recent years)
because each year proportionately more
vehicles are equipped with better emission
control devices.
Lead
In 1978 EPA established an air quality
standard for lead. This standard is to be
achieved by October of 1982. At this time,
the states, in cooperation with EPA, are
gathering data to identify areas where the
standard is being exceeded. Violations of
the lead standard occur in the Kellogg
area where the major sources are the
Bunker Hill Company's lead smelter and
general areawide contamination resulting
from 60 years of milling and smelting
operations.
Other Hazardous Materials
In addition to the five major air pollutants
discussed above, there is one known point
source of asbestos in Idaho which
complies with national and state
standards. EPA is analyzing other
potentially hazardous pollutants, and
standards for these will be developed if
necessary.
Trends in Idaho Air Quality
Trends in air quality indicate whether past
air pollution control activities have been
effective. Figure 7 shows the areas in
Idaho in which air quality standards were
exceeded in 1978. It also illustrates a
two-year comparison of 1977 and 1978
data. Most of Idaho's air quality has
remained relatively unchanged from 1977
except for the increase in TSP
-------
concentrations in the Lewiston and
Pocatello commercial/industrial areas and
a decrease in Conda and Boise rural
areas. Sulfur dioxide concentrations
improved in both the Kellogg and Pocatello
areas, but deteriorated in the Conda area.
The areas exceeding standards during
1978 have been color coded in Figure 8
to reflect the worst exceedance of any
pollutant standard experienced in at least
one monitoring site within a county. The
figure indicates that, except for Idaho's
problems with fugitive dust, the most
severe violations of air quality standards
are mainly in the heavily populated or
industrialized areas of the state.
Figure 7.
Air Quality Trends in Five Idaho Areas
(Based on 1977-1978 data)
STANDARDS
Figure 8.
Idaho Areas Exceeding One or More Air
Quality Standards During 1978
SHORT TERM
MONITORED TSP SO2 CO O3 NO2 TSP SO2
Kellogg R
' i
i
Lewiston R
Pocatello R
Conda- R
Soda Springs
Boise R
c/i
Z I COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
R: RESIDENTIAL
r RURAL
n
UPWARD TREND (IMPROVING)
DOWNWARD TREND (DETERIORATING)
NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE
NO MONITORING CR INSUFFICIENT DATA
D
STANDARDS ATTAINED
SECONDARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
PRIMARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
ALERT LEVELS EXCEEDED
STANDARDS EXCEEDED DUE TO FUGITIVE DUST
-------
The Regional Air Quality Outlook
Region 10 has relatively few heavily
populated urban centers; in the 4 states
there are only 6.5 million residents. While
air pollution is not confined to urban
areas, it is most severe where human
activity, especially vehicular activity, is
heavily concentrated, namely in the 20
communities shown in Table 2. Some
violations of National Ambient Air Quality
Standards occur in every state of Region
10, as shown in Table 2. Idaho, Oregon,
and Washington each exceeded standards
for three of the major pollutants during
1978, while Alaska exceeded standards
only for carbon monoxide.
Region 10's air pollution problems in 1978
were mostly due to carbon monoxide
and/or ozone concentrations. EPA is
working closely with Alaska, Idaho,
Oregon, and Washington to control
emissions from vehicles and to reduce the
number of vehicle miles traveled in urban
centers having high carbon monoxide
levels through transportation controls
previously discussed.
Ozone concentrations greater than the
health standard have occurred in Western
Oregon and Washington, and future
monitoring may identify other areas. Many
of the same transportation controls used
to reduce carbon monoxide levels will be
effective in reducing ozone levels. Also,
meaures that control volatile organic
compounds indirectly lower ozone levels;
for example, floating roofs for oil storage
tanks to reduce evaporative losses.
Suspended particulate matter is a
widespread problem throughout the
Northwest; it results from both stationary
industrial sources and other sources (such
as dust from roads, particulates from
home oil heating, vegetative burning, etc.).
Paniculate control devices such as
baghouses, electrostatic precipitators, and
scrubbers have been installed on many
industrial sources, and some plants are
Table 2.
Air Quality Status in 20 Areas of
Region 10
AREAS MONITORED TSP SOj CO O,
Alaska Anchorage
Fairbanks
Idaho Boise
Conda-Soda Springs
Kellogg
Lewiston
Pocatello
Oregon Eugene-Springfield
Grants Pass
Medford-Ashland
Portland
Salem
Washington
Clarkston
Longview
Port Angeles
Seattle
Spokane
Tacoma
Vancouver
Yakima
scheduled to further reduce emissions in
the future. As existing plants are modified
and new facilities are constructed, the best
technology available to control suspended
particulates will be required. Control of
fugitive dust is more difficult to achieve.
Paving roads and parking areas can help,
as well as improved "housekeeping" in
industrial areas (such as covering hoppers
or conveyor belts or other equipment
transporting raw materials). Construction
sites can be wetted down to reduce dust.
However, it is expected that reduction of
fugitive dust will be very gradual due to
the cost of control.
D
SECONDARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
PRIMARY STANDARDS EXCEEDED
ALERT LEVELS EXCEEDED
-------
River Water Quality
When the U.S. Congress enacted
amendments to the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act in 1972, a national
goal was set—"fishable, swimmable"
waters by 1983. The State of Idaho also
adopted that goal. The 1972 amendments
subsequently stimulated new cooperative
Federal, state, and local water quality
improvement programs dedicated to
reducing pollutants in the Nation's waters.
This section discusses programs that have
been instituted in Idaho, their
effectiveness, and some problems that still
remain to be resolved.
How River Water Quality is
Determined
The purpose of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act is to protect the
quality of U.S. waters for a variety of uses,
including public water supply, wildlife, fish
and shellfish, recreation, navigation,
agriculture, and industry. Each water use
depends on certain characteristics, such
as temperature, concentration of dissolved
oxygen, or absence of bacteria. These
characteristics, called parameters, can be
measured and used to evaluate water
quality. They vary with the chemistry of
the stream being meaured, the season,
and other factors. This report is based on
10 related groups of the most commonly
studied water quality parameters (see
Table 3) which have been monitored at a
network of 75 sampling stations
throughout Idaho.
To measure water characteristics and
evaluate water quality, a standard for
comparison is necessary. Thus, Federal
water quality goals have been established.
They are a synthesis of state water quality
standards, national water quality criteria,
information in the technical literature, and
professional judgment. Idaho, like the
Table 3.
Criteria/Parameter Groups' for the
Water Quality Index
CRITERIA PARAMETER GROUP AND EXPLANATION
other states in Region 10. has specified
certain water quality standards. When
criteria are applied to a stream, they take
into account the uses expected for that
stream. For example, in Idaho, most
streams are classified as "cold water
fishery" streams and are expected to
support trout and salmon. The Lake
Milner reach of the Snake River, however,
is considered a "warm-water fishery"
stream, supporting bass and perch, and
therefore has less stringent criteria for
Temperature
Dissolved Oxygen
PH
Aesthetics
Solids
Radioactivity
Bacteria
Trophic (Nutrient
Enrichment)
Organic Toxicity
Inorganic Toxicity
Temperature of water influences the type of fish and other aquatic life
that can survive in a river Excessively high temperatures are detrimental
to aquatic life.
To survive, fish and aquatic life must have certain levels of oxygen in the
water: therefore, low oxygen levels can be detrimental to these
organisms.
pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of water Extreme levels of
either can imperil fish and aquatic life
Refers to oil. grease, and turbidity which are visually unpleasant This
group is mostly represented by the turbidity parameter, which is a
measure of the clarity of the water
Dissolved minerals and suspended material such as mud or silt Excess
dissolved minerals (hard water) interfere with agricultural, industrial, and
domestic use. Excess suspended solids adversely affect fish feeding
and spawning.
May be in water as a result of radioactive waste discharges or fallout
Excess levels can harm aquatic and other life forms
Bacteria indicate probable presence of disease-related organisms and
viruses not natural to water (i.e., from human sewage or animal waste)
Indicates the extent of algae or nutrients in water. Nutrients promote
algae growth. When algae (one-celled water plants) flourish they make
the water murky, and the growths make swimming and fishing
unpleasant. Decomposition of dead algae can decrease dissolved
oxygen concentrations to levels harmful to fish.
Includes pesticides and other organic poisons that have the same effects
and persistence as pesticides.
Heavy metals and other elements; excess concentrations are poisonous
to aquatic and other life forms Also includes percent saturations of
dissolved gases in water which can affect the metabolism of aquatic life
'Approximately 80 criteria/parameters were evaluated and condensed to the 10 groups shown here.
More detailed information is available on request
-------
temperature, oxygen, pH, suspended
solids, and toxic heavy metals than "cold-
water fishery" streams.
The water quality of an individual stream
can be determined by measuring each
parameter group and comparing it to the
criteria. But to compare one stream to
another, a single, inclusive number for
each stream is useful; consequently, a
Water Quality Index has been formulated.
The Index permits comparisons between
very different situations, such as those
arising from differing types of human
usage and climatic conditions.
Figure 9 compares the water quality of 21
principal rivers in Idaho. The circle
represents the annual average Water
Quality Index for the river. The square
represents the value for the worst 3
consecutive months.
The WQI values presented are derived from averaging
WQI values from those river portions with adequate data.
Except where indicated, river portions included are located
only on the main river named.
WORST 3 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS Q
ANNUAL AVERAGE WATER QUALITY INDEX Q
Water Quality Index
In this report, the Water Quality Index compares water quality measured during the last 6 years
with the recommended Federal criteria. The data used to make these comparisons come from
various Federal, state, and local agencies and are stored in EPA's computer systems. The final
Index number for each station takes into account the 10 pollution categories shown in Table 3.
adjusted to reflect the severity by which the criteria are exceeded. The Index numbers span a
scale from 0 (no measured evidence of pollution) to 100 (severe pollution at all times). In this
report, the scale is divided into three color ranges as follows:
Blue represents streams with Index numbers between 0 and 20. These streams either have no
pollution or are minimally polluted and therefore meet the goals of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act.
Light Brown represents streams with Index numbers between 20 and 60. Such streams are
intermittently and/or moderately polluted and are considered marginal with respect to meeting
the goals of the Act.
Dark Brown represents streams with an Index number greater than 60. These streams are
severely polluted and do not meet the goals of the Act.
The neutral color gray is used in the graphs when the water quality status is unknown because
of inadequate data.
Figure 9.
Water Quality Index Values for Idaho's
Principal Rivers
WOI VALUE
40 60
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
Lower Portneuf
Spokane/Coeur d'Alene
Weiser
Middle Snake
Rock Creek (Twin Falls Co.)
Lower Boise
Lower Bruneau
Lower Snake
Bear
Little Wood
Kootenai
Clearwater & Significant Tribs.
Upper Snake
Clark Fork/Pend Oreille
St. Joe
Lower Salmon
Big Wood
Blackfoot
Henry's Fork
Payette, Inc. N & S Forks
-O
-o—a
-------
Sources and Control of
Water Pollution
Pollutants that reach Idaho streams have
two general origins: "point source"
pollution, such as wastewater from
industries, sewage treatment plants, and
the like, that enters streams at an easily
identified location; and less easily
identified "non-point source" pollution,
consisting of stormwater from urban areas,
irrigation water, and runoff from farm,
forest, and mining lands.
Industries that discharge waste effluent to
streams must have a permit to do so. The
permits are issued by EPA under the
National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) or by states that have
assumed this responsibility. By this means,
EPA can require that point source
pollutants be removed before wastewater
reaches the river. Since non-point sources
cannot be so easily treated, "best
management practices" are required. For
example, agricultural best management
practices might include waste storage
areas to keep organic wastes from
reaching nearby streams, or contour
plowing to prevent erosion of soil into
rivers.
The responsibility for developing such
means to control non-point source
pollution has been given to local and
state agencies assigned to develop water
quality management plans as provided
by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
The Quality of Idaho's Principal
Rivers
Idaho is a vast mountainous area in which
precipitation varies greatly with
topography. Portions of some river basins
such as the Clearwater receive over 50
inches of rainfall annually, while less than
10 inches is not uncommon for some of
the arid plains in southern Idaho. Agriculture,
mining, and lumbering are important to
Idaho's economy, though they also affect
water quality in the state. Pollutants
resulting from agricultural activities include
sediments, nutrients, elevated
temperatures, organic materials, and
bacteria. Extensive irrigation further
reduces the naturally occurring low flow of
many Idaho streams. Sediment resulting
from soil erosion is a particularly
significant pollutant that affects the Upper
Snake, Bear River, and Southwest Idaho
basins. Hard rock mines in the Coeur
d'Alene area and a variety of other surface,
underground, and dredging operations
throughout the state contribute large
amounts of sediment, toxic metals, and
acidic runoff to Idaho's rivers.
Population is not dense in Idaho, but it is
growing rapidly, especially in the
southwest, with resultant water quality
problems. The Boise River, for example,
once an outstanding fishery, has
deteriorated due to dams, channel
alterations, municipal discharges, and
irrigation return flows.
Water quality data obtained by state and
Federal agencies from October 1976
through September 1978, where available,
were utilized to describe the recent quality
of 21 major streams in Idaho. Figure 10
shows the location of these streams in
Idaho. Figure 11 compares the relative
extent of water quality degradation within
each stream on an average annual basis.
Portions of the South Fork Coeur d'Alene
River are severely degraded due to wastes
from past and present mining and ore-
producing activities in its basin. Pollution
-------
Figure 10.
Water Quality Status of Principal Rivers
in Idaho
BASED UPON THE AVERAGE ANNUAL WOI
UNACCEPTABLE - SEVERE POLLUTION
from these activities is also responsible for
causing the Spokane and main Coeur
d'Alene Rivers to be rated "unacceptable"
during part of the year. The Portneuf
River is degraded by municipal (both
urban runoff and secondary treated
sewage) and industrial discharges below
Pocatello, agricultural sources on Marsh
Creek and nutrient-rich springs feeding
into the river. Rock Creek, which flows
through Twin Falls, has suffered from
irrigation wastewater entering its lower
reaches.
All or portions of an additional twelve
streams only marginally meet the goals
of the Clean Water Act during at least
part of the year1. Most problems in these
streams may be atrributed to agricultural
non-point sources, but some of these
stream reaches are noticeably affected by
point source discharges from sewage
treatment and commercial/industrial plants.
Examples are the Boise River, affected by
municipal discharges, and the Milner and
Lower Granite Reservoirs, located on the
Snake River, which receive wastes from
food processing operations and a pulp
mill, respectively.
The remaining streams that generally meet
the goals of the Act, such as the Salmon River
and Upper Clearwater River, are located in
the more remote areas of the state and lack
significant agricultural, urban, and industrial
activities.
D
MARGINAL - INTERMITTENT OR MODERATE
POLLUTION
ACCEPTABLE - MINIMAL, OR NO POLLUTION
STATUS UNKNOWN
10
-------
Figure 11.
River Miles Meeting Water Quality Criteria
In Idaho
RIVER
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
Portneuf
Spokane/Coeur d'Alene
Weiser
Middle Snake
Rock Creek (Twin Falls Co.)
Boise
Bruneau
Lower Snake
Bear
Little Wood
Kootenai
Clearwater & Significant Tribs.
Upper Snake
Clark Fork/Pend Oreille
St. Joe
Salmon
Big Wood
Blackfoot
Henry's Fork
Payette, Incl. N. & S. Forks
RIVER MILES
300
BASED UPON THE AVERAGE ANNUAL WOI
UNACCEPTABLE - SEVERE POLLUTION
D
MARGINAL — INTERMITTENT. OR MODERATE
POLLUTION
• ACCEPTABLE — MINIMAL, OR NO POLLUTION
I STATUS UNKNOWN
Except where indicated, the river mileages shown pertain
only to the main rivers named.
Causes of River Water Quality
Problems
Figure 12 shows the status of 28 Idaho
river stretches with respect to each of the
10 pollution categories comprising the
Water Quality Index. Temperature criteria
were exceeded in most of the streams
evaluated, due partly to normal climatic
conditions which cause low stream flows
and high water temperatures during the
summer and fall. These conditions may be
aggravated by man-made irrigation
diversions, dams and the destruction of
stream bank vegetation.
Dissolved oxygen values have occasionally
failed to meet criteria in the lower Weiser
River and the Snake River at Hell's
Canyon Dam and below American Falls
Dam. In the former, low levels are
probably caused by the combined
summertime effects of respiration by algae
and aquatic weeds and very low stream-
flows. The Snake River condition is probably
due to the decay of algae in Hell's Canyon,
Oxbow, and Brownlee Reservoirs, which
result from nutrients supplied primarily by
upstream agricultural sources.
Observed pH levels ranged outside of the
desired criteria in several Idaho stream
segments. Acidic waste from mining-
related activities lowered pH levels in the
lower South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene
River. Spring and summer pH levels in the
Pend Oreille River and in portions of the
Upper and Middle Snake River were
slightly higher than recommended. These
occurrences were probably due to algal
blooms stimulated by excess nutrients in
the water or bottom muds.
Undesirable levels of bacteria were present
in about one-third of the stream segments
evaluated. Most of these segments are
located in the lower portions of drainages
where irrigation and livestock activities are
common. Wastes from grazing lands and
animal confinement areas often
contaminate irrigation return flow and
rainfall and snowmelt runoff. In a few
cases, treated sewage may also be
significant contributors to certain stream
segments.
-------
Figure 12.
Trends in River Water Quality
Parameters, Idaho
RIVER
South Fork Coeur
d'Alene at mouth
Portneuf
at mouth
Coeur d'Alene above
the South Fork
Coeur d'Alene below
the South Fork
Spokane at Wash
Idaho border
Weiser
at mouth
Middle Snake near
Mountain Home
Middle Snake
near Weiser
Rock Creek at
Twin Falls
Boise at
Lucky Peak Dam
Boise
near mouth
Bruneau
near mouth
Lower Snake at
Hell's Canyon Dam
Lower Snake
near Lewiston
Little Wood
near mouth
Kootenai near
U.S./Canada border
Clearwater
near mouth
Upper Snake above
Idaho Falls
Upper Snake
near Burley
Bear at
Wyoming border
Bear at
Utah border
Pend Oreille at
Washington border
St. Joe
near mouth
Salmon
near mouth
Big Wood
near mouth
Blackfoot
near mouth
Henry's Fork
near mouth
Payette
near mouth
UNACCEPTABLE SEVERE POLLUTION
D
MARGINAL INTERMITTENT OR MODERATE
POLLUTION
ACCEPTABLE MINIMAL OR NO POLLUTION
STATUS LINKNOWN
The colors represent the recent water quality status during the worst three-month period
for each parameter group The arrows result from the comparison of 1976-1978 data versus
1973-1975. Each river entry is represented by only one sampling station.
D
CONDITION IMPROVING
CONDITION DETERIORATING
CONDITION STABLE
INADEQUATE. OR NO DATA AVAILABLE FOR
TRENDS ANALYSIS
-------
One-half of the stream segments evaluated
experience excessive levels of nutrients
(trophic category) during at least part of
the year. The lower Portneuf River has by
far the highest levels, which are largely
attributed to those sources described
earlier. The other stream segments are
mostly over-enriched by runoff from
irrigated and dryland.agriculture, although
secondary treated sewage may be
contributing to these problems in some
stream segments, such as the Boise River.
Natural high levels of phosphates contribute
to elevated nutrient levels in southeast
Idaho streams.
In this report, the aesthetic quality of the
streams evaluated is largly related to the
levels of suspended solids present. High
suspended solids levels cause a stream to
appear muddy and indicate soil erosion
problems within a drainage. The greatest
concentrations of suspended solids were
found in Lower Rock Creek due to
irrigation return flow, and in the upper
Bear River, probably as a result of
precipitation and snowmelt from dryland
agricultural areas. These causes are also
primarily responsible for the elevated
solids and degraded aesthetic conditions
in the other Idaho streams.
Currently there is concern over pesticides,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's),
trihalomethanes, and other organic
compounds in the waters of the
Northwest. Although they are being
studied intensely in connection with
drinking water supplies, ambient river
water quality, and point source discharges,
relatively little is known about them
compared to the "conventional" pollutants
described above, because the
sophisticated analytical methods and
equipment necessary to detect minute
concentrations of these toxicants were
only recently developed. Limited
monitoring for selected pesticides and
herbicides on a section of the Middle
Snake River and the Kootenai River has
not revealed any significant levels of
contamination in recent years. More
widespread monitoring is needed to fully
ascertain whether major streams in Idaho
are contaminated by organic toxicants.
The inorganic toxicity parameter group is
primarily represented by the heavy metals
such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. High
Index values shown in the Spokane and
Coeur d'Alene stream reaches are due to
active and inactive mining operations, with
the Bunker Hill mining and smelting
complex as a major point source of heavy
metals. The origins of the high levels
indicated in the Lower Snake River and
the moderate levels in other stream
segments are unknown.
The EPA monitors radiation in the Snake
River near Twin Falls on a quarterly basis.
Because criteria levels to protect aquatic
life have not been established, no Index
values have been generated for the
radiation parameter. Observed values at
Twin Falls, however, have exceeded the
EPA drinking water standard by less than
five percent, which is well below any level
of concern.
The Outlook for Idaho
Water quality in Idaho, as represented by
the twenty monitoring stations evaluated in
Figure 13, has exhibited little apparent
change over the last six years. Stream
segments with an "unacceptable" rating for
at least one year were the Middle Snake
River, Lower Portneuf and Lower Boise
Rivers, and Lower Rock Creek. With the
exception of the Lower Portneuf River,
these stream segments are degraded
mainly by irrigation return flows. The
organic and inorganic toxicant parameter
groups could not be included in this
analysis due to significant changes in
analytical techniques and reporting
procedures over this time period.
Reductions in point source pollution in
Idaho have been achieved by means of
NPDES permits, which limit discharges
from point sources and establish
schedules for meeting these limitations.
Earlier voluntary efforts by the food
processing industry have also improved
water quality in Idaho. Remaining problems
with sewage treatment include inadequate
treatment levels, overloading of facilities from
infiltraton/inflow, and insufficient dilution
of the sewage effluent due to low stream
flows. The latter results in elevated
nutrient levels, depressed dissolved oxygen
and ammonia and chlorine toxicity. Some
cities such as Nampa are constructing
improved facilities, removing ammonia, and
using other techniques to correct this
problem. Food processing industries and
mining and ore-processing facilities are
other major point sources requiring
improvements.
Figure 13.
Water Quality Trends in Idaho
PERCENT OF STATIONS
40 60
Based
3 mo
worst
;d upon the water quality status during the wor
3 months at 26 monitoring stations within and bordering
upon Idaho Organic and inorganic toxicity parameter
groups not included
D
D
UNACCEPTABLE SEVERE POLLUTION
MARGINAL INTERMITTENT OR MODERATE
POLLUTION
ACCEPTABLE MINIMAL OR NO POLLUTION
13
-------
In 1978, agriculture continued to be one
of the most significant non-point sources
of water pollution in Idaho. Irrigation
return flows, livestock grazing and feeding,
and dryland farming degrade water quality
by increasing the sediment load and
turbidity, and by contributing large
amounts of nutrients A Statewide
Agricultural Pollution Abatement Plan was
completed in 1979. This voluntary program
is being implemented on a statewide
basis, and specifically in four high priority
areas: Rock Creek and Cedar Draw in
Twin Falls County, Marsh Creek in
Bannock County, and Paradise Creek and
the South Fork Palouse River in Latah
County.
Mining activities are another major non-
point source of pollution. New and
existing operations are controlled by
reviewing new mining applications,
inspecting existing mining operations, and
implementing disposal guidelines for mine
and mill wastes. Controlling polluted
runoff from abandoned mine sites is more
difficult and expensive. Even if the Bunker
Hill Company's discharges were to meet
EPA guidelines, runoff from abandoned
and inactive mining operations would still
create significant problems in the South
Fork and main Coeur d'Alene Rivers. State
plans to rehabilitate the South Fork have
been hampered by lack of funds.
Besides mining and agriculture, forestry
operations and individual sewage disposal
systems are other non-point sources that
pollute Idaho's rivers.
The Regional Outlook
The Water Quality Index is used in Fig-
ure 14 to compare 26 major Pacific
Northwest River Basins within Alaska,
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Figure 15
depicts the relative extent of water quality
degradation for each river basin, and
Figure 16 shows similar information on a
regional map.
Figure 14.
Water Quality Index Values for Region 10
River Basins
Figure 14 reveals that several Alaska river
drainages have the highest Water Quality
Index values in Region 10. These are
caused by high levels of turbidity and
suspended solids during spring and
summer due primarily to glacial melting
and natural streambank erosion. Placer
mining operations, however, may be
causing unnaturally high solids in some of
WOI VALUE
20 40 60 80 10C
Tanana
Susitna
S.E. Alaska
Lower Yukon
Spokane
Kuskokwim
Bear
Middle Snake
Klamath
Lower Columbia
Kootenai
Lower Snake
Yakima
Upper Snake
Upper Columbia
Arctic Slope
Oregon Coast
Clark Fork/Pend Oreille
Willamette
Washington Coast
Puget Sound
Upper Yukon
N.W. Alaska
Copper
Bristol Bay
Kenai-Knik
r
\.
i
t
t
j
• i
• _
•
On
«-i
>— — n
) a
>— —a
) a
n
D
D WORST 3 CONSFTUTIVF MONTHS
O A^NI IAI AVFF'AGF WATFR Ol IAI ITY INDEX
A NO MONITI >F'INC ,
-------
the smaller streams. More data are needed
to assess the impact of these activities
and to provide a general indicator of
water quality in the five Alaska basins
indicated as having an unknown status.
Only two of the Region's river basins had
Index values less than 20 and clearly met
the Federal water quality goals. The
majority of those that provisionally meet
the goals drain arid or agricultural portions
of the Region where non-point source
pollution is difficult to control. Most
criteria violations are in the categories of
temperature, bacteria, trophic, aesthetic,
and solids. In the Spokane Basin, high
heavy metals concentrations from mining
activities on the South Fork Coeur d'Alene
River in Idaho are primarily responsible
for the elevated Index values. Heavy metals
of unknown origin are responsible for
high Index values in the Lower Snake, Lower
Columbia, and Kootenai Basins
Figure 15.
Miles Within Principal Region 10 River Basins
Meeting Water Quality Criteria
RIVER MILES
Tanana
Susitna
S.E. Alaska
Lower Yukon
Spokane
Kuskokwim
Bear
Middle Snake
Klamath
Lower Columbia
Kootenai
Lower Snake
Yakima
Upper Snake
Upper Columbia
Arctic Slope
Oregon Coast
Clark Fork/Pend Oreille
Willamette
Washington Coast
Puget Sound
Upper Yukon
N.W Alaska
Bristol Bay
Kenai-Knik
BASED UPON THE AVERAGE ANNUAL WOI
UNACCEPTABLE — SEVERE POLLUTION
D
MARGINAL INTERMITTENT. OR MODERATE
POLLUTION
ACCEPTABLE - MINIMAL. OR NO POLLUTION
STATUS UNKNOWN
Only principal rivers and streams within each basin are
included in the mileage totals shown.
-------
Figure 16.
Water Quality Status of Principal Rivers in
Region 10
NOTE State of Alaska is represented at
approximately 30% of true scale
Regional water quality trends have been
analyzed by comparing data from 84
representative monitoring stations over a
6-year period (Figure 17). Due to
inadequate data, Alaska rivers could not
be included in the analysis, nor were
organic or inorganic toxicants included,
since there have been significant changes
in analytical techniques and reporting
procedures over the time period
considered. There has been little
significant change at the stations since
1973. Although point source controls have
made many improvements in Regional
water quality, further plans to identify and
control non-point sources are needed in
order to improve water quality at those
stations still not fully meeting water quality
goals.
Figure 17.
Water Quality Trends in Region 10
WATER PERCENT OF STATIONS
YEAR 20 40 60 80 101
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1
1
Based upon the water quality status during the worst
3 consecutive months per station at 84 monitoring
stations within Region 10. (Alaska stations, organic and
inorganic toxicant pollution categories not included.)
BASED UPON THE AVERAGE ANNUAL WOI
UNACCEPTABLE SEVERE POLLUTION
D
MARGINAL INTERMITTENT OR MODERATE
POLLUTION
ACCEPTABLE - MINIMAL, OR NO POLLUTION
STATUS UNKNOWN
16
-------
Lake Water Quality
,
Inland lakes and waterways constitute one
of Idaho's most important recreational and
commercial resources. Moreover, the
quality of these waters affects the beauty
and aesthetic character of the state. It is
generally felt that the lake water quality in
Idaho and the Pacific Northwest is good.
However, many of the major recreational
lakes in the state have significant water
quality problems which impair their
recreational use.
How Lake Water Quality is
Determined
A numerical water quality index has not
been developed for lakes, as it has been
for rivers. Instead, the water quality of
Idaho lakes is evaluated on the basis of their
ecological conditions and how they affect
persons wishing to use the lakes for
recreation.
If a lake is undisturbed by human
activities, it undergoes a natural process
of aging known to ecologists as
eutrophication. Once a lake is created,
by whatever means, it begins to fill in.
While it is filling in, the water chemistry
and types of organisms that can survive in
the lake also change. At first, the water is
clear (pristine) and has few nutrients and
low populations of aquatic life. As the lake
cotinues to age and becomes "eutrophic,"
sediments and nutrients from the
surrounding watershed accumulate,
stimulating frequent algae blooms. Floating
mats of algae and aquatic plants cover
much of the surface, and the water may
appear bright green. The process by
which dead algae are decomposed by
bacteria can consume nearly all the
dissolved oxygen in the water, which in
turn kills fish. Fish populations in
eutrophic lakes are typically stunted.
Finally, the lake fills with soil and dead
plants and becomes land.
The whole process happens naturally; it
often takes thousands of years. But man
can significantly accelerate the process by
adding nutrients and other substances to
lake water—a process referred to as
"cultural eutrophication." Land use
practices on farm land, forests, and
construction sites often result in erosion of
soils into streams and subsequently lakes.
Nutrients, mainly nitrogen and
phosphorus, are chief constituents of
discharge from sewage treatment plants,
urban runoff, pastures and feedlots, and
certain industrial processes.
How Trophic Conditions Affect
Recreational Uses
Water quality agencies are concerned with
the trophic status of Idaho lakes because
many uses of lakes are closely related to
their ecological condition. For example,
growths of algae or other water plants
may directly curtail or eliminate water
recreation activities such as swimming,
boating, and fishing; impart tastes and
odors to water supplies; and hamper
industrial and municipal water treatment.
To analyze the extent to which
recreational uses are impaired in any
given lake, and to compare one lake to
another, the measurement scheme shown
in Table 4 has been used. This scheme
results in a numerical score for each lake
ranging from a minimum of 4 to a maximum
of 12. A score of 4 indicates that there is little,
if any, impairment of swimming, fishing,
boating or aesthetics (visual enjoyment). A
score of 12 indicates that all uses are
severely impaired.
Figure 18 shows the lakes analyzed in this
report. Table 5 provides more detailed
information on recreational uses and trophic
status of each lake, including the source
of water quality and use impairments.
Most impairments to Idaho's recreational
lakes appear to be due to algal blooms
stimulated by nutrients from agricultural
runoff and septic tanks. Runoff from
agricultural non-point sources entering the
Snake River upstream of Oxbow and
Brownlee Reservoirs has degraded these
two lakes. Lake Lowell, an off-stream
reservoir near Boise, receives heavy
recreational usage by residents of the
Boise Valley. Excessive algal growth in the
summer impairs such use. The
photosynthetic activity and eventual
decomposition of the algae reduce the
dissolved oxygen levels, which may be
adversely affecting the fishery resource of
the reservoir. These conditions are
primarily due to the nutrient enrichment of
summer inflows by agricultural non-point
sources.
Water quality of American Falls Reservoir
is degraded by nutrients from dryland and
irrigated agriculture, wastewater from the
J.R. Simplot phosphate processing plant
near Pocatello, treated sewage effluent
from Pocatello, phosphate deposits in the
soils and from the many springs in the
area. Pend Oreille Lake is another
popular recreational lake that is being
affected by erosion from developing
residential areas.
How Recreational Use is Being
Restored
Some measures being implemented to
improve lake water quality include
dredging to remove nutrient-containing
sediments and decomposing plant material
that consumes oxygen, flushing, bank
erosion control, aeration, physically
removing aquatic plants, and both
chemical and biological controls to
prevent eutrophication. The wastewater
from the Simplot Plant at Pocatello is
scheduled to be removed from the
Portneuf River, which flows into the
American Falls Reservoir. This, plus the
17
-------
Table 4.
Criteria for Evaluating Impairment
of Lakes
DEGREE OF IMPAIRMENT
Figure 18.
Water Quality Map of Idaho's Principal
Lakes and Reservoirs
RECREATIONAL
USE
NONE
CRITERIA
SCORE
Swimming Very low bacteria levels
(Fecal conforms geometric
mean less than 50 per
100 ml)
Fishing No adverse conditions.
Healthy fish population
Boating Less than 10% of surface
area affected by aquatic
weeds
Aesthetics Objects visible in water to
depth of 10 feet or more
and low phosphorus
(Secchi Disc" at 10 feet:
total phosphorus of less
than 10 ug/l")
SCORE
(No uses impaired)
RECREATIONAL
USE
Swimming
Fishing
Boating
Aesthetics
CRITERIA SCORE
Moderate bacteria levels [2]
(Fecal conforms 50 to
200 per 100 ml)
Slightly adverse condi- \2\
tions. Slight reduction in
fish population.
10% to 30% affected 00
Objects visible from 1.5 to [2]
10 feet and moderate
phosphorus level (Secchi
Disc at 1.5 to 10 feet;
total phosphorus 10 to
20 ug/l)
SCORE (All uses moderately impaired)
RECREATIONAL
USE
SIGNIFICANT
CRITERIA
SCORE
Swimming Unhealthy bacteria levels
(Fecal coliforms greater
than 200 per 100 ml)
Fishing Adverse conditons. Signi-
ficant reduction in fish
population
Boating More than 30% affected
Aesthetics Objects not visible beyond
1.5 feet or high
phosphorus level (Secchi
Disc at less than 1.5 feet;
total phosphorus greater
than 20 ug/l)
SCORE (All uses significantly impaired)
D
LITTLE OR NO IMPAIRMENT
MODERATE IMPAIRMENT
SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT
-Lost Valley Res
• Upper Payette Lake
^Paypttr I ,ikc
-Oxbow Res
BrownieeJ cascade Res
Res r I
\} ^^-— —Sage Hen Res
\^^ Deadwood Res
9T ^—Bull Trout L.ikr
Q Crane Creek Res ^Redfish Lake
^Paddock Valley Res
• Alturas Lake
I Lake Lowell
Lucky Peak Arrowrock Res
ReS ^f Anderson
•Ranch H.-S
•4
Little Camas Res
Magic Res
1 Htli- Wood River Res
I ISh I rt-Mk Fll'S
American
Falls j
Res J
.,, O Lake Walcott
Wilson Lake
Salmon Fallsg
Creek Res 1
Lower Goose
Creek Res
'A Secchi Disc is a round black and white plate
suspended on a chain and used to determine water
clarity
"ug/l - mtcrograms per liter, a measurement used
for low concentrations of dissolved substances.
18
-------
Table 5.
The Recreational Impairment and Trophic
Status of the Principal Recreational Lakes
in Idaho
SURFACE
AREA
NAME (ACRES)
Brownlee Res. 15,000
American Falls Res. 56,000
Wilson Lake 600
Lake Walcott 12,000
Portneuf Res.
Williams Lk./Lemhi Co.
Crane Creek Res.
Lake Lowell 9,600
Lower Granite Res. 8,900
Oxbow Res. 1,500
Hell's Canyon Res. 2,500
Paddock Valley Res.
Fernan Lake 300
Chatcolet Lake 600
Cascade Res. 30,000
Henry's Lake 2,500
Island Park Res. 7,000
Magic Res. 1,800
Twin Lakes/Kootenai Co. 850
Cocolalla Lake 800
Salmon Falls Cr. Res.
Lower Goose Cr. Res. 1,000
Fish Cr. Res. 250
Lost Valley Res. 800
Palisades Res. 16,000
Upper Payette Lk.
Dworshak Res. 17,000
Sage Hen Res.
Anderson Ranch Res.
Alturas Lake 1,200
Lucky Peak Res. 2,800
Arrowrock Res. 4,000
Priest Lake 24,000
Lake Pend Oreille 94,000
Lake Coeur d'Alene 30,000
Hayden Lake 4,000
Payette Lake 1,000
Deadwood Res. 3,000
Redfish Lake 1,500
Bear Lake 25,000
Spirit Lake 1,300
Upper Priest Lake 5,000
Bulltrout Lake 900
Mackay Reservoir 1,000
Little Camas Res.
Little Wood Res. 600
OF PROBLEM
Upstream Sources
Natural/Agric. Nonpoint/
Municipal/Industrial R. Sources
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Agricultural Runoff
Recreational Impacts
Natural/Agric. Runoff
Agricultural Runoff
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Natural/Agric. Runoff
Septic Tanks/Agric. Runoff
Agricultural Runoff
Agric. Runoff/Munic. R. Source
Recreational Impacts
Septic Tanks/Natural Runoff
Agric. Runoff/Munic. R. Sources
Septic Tanks/Agric. Runoff
Agric. Runoff/Recr. Impacts
D
D
NON-EUTROPHIC
MODERATELY EUTROPHIC
EUTROPHIC
STATUS UNKNOWN
LITTLE OR NO IMPAIRMENT
MODERATE IMPAIRMENT
SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT
eventual application of best management
practices to agriculture should reduce the
reservoir's problems considerably. A
master plan for the area around Pend
Oreille Lake is being developed to control
construction practices and the density of
development, thereby improving lake water
quality.
A Regional Overview
Lakes are one of the most important
resources of the Pacific Northwest and
Alaska.
For the most part, the 145 most heavily-
used lakes within Region 10 are of good
quality, with few impairments related to
human activities. Figure 19 compares the
percentage of lakes impaired for
recreational use in each state. More than
half the lakes in Washington, Oregon, and
Idaho have little or no impairment. Most
of the lakes in Alaska for which data are
available are unimpaired. However, some
major lakes within the Region are
approaching a level of eutrophication that
interferes with their desired uses. Some is
from the natural aging of the lakes. The
challenge for the future is to prevent
further cultural eutrophication and where
possible to correct present problems.
EPA's Clean Lakes program is providing
for the rehabilitation of some damaged lakes
along with a management plan to assure
that the rehabilitated lakes remain clean.
Through programs such as this, many of
the high-use recreational lakes in the
Region are being restored and preserved
for future generations.
Figure 19.
Impairment Status of Recreational Lakes
in Region 10
PERCENT OF LAKES IMPAIRED
20 40 60 80
Alaska
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
Based up^n evaluation of 145 Region 10 lakes
19
-------
Marine Water Quality
A Regional Overview
A total of 349,000 acres has been
classified as commercial shellfish growing
area in Region 10. This represents
approximately 2 percent of the classified
growing waters in the Nation. Of the
regional growing area, 72 percent is
classified as approved, 9 percent
conditionally approved, and 19 percent
closed (Figure 20). Regionally, Washington
contains the largest percentage of the
total classified area (65 percent of 228,900
acres), followed by Alaska (27 percent or
92,400 acres), and Oregon (8 percent or
28,100 acres), as shown in Figure 20.
Fecal contamination or the great potential
for such contamination due to proximity
to municipal sewage treatment facilities
accounts for most of the closed area. The
conditionally approved areas are char-
acterized by excessive coliform
contamination from seasonal increases in
freshwater runoff from agricultural and
forestry activities as well as the occasional
malfunctioning or bypassing of sewage
treamtent plants. The presence in shellfish of
a naturally occurring biotoxin, paralytic
shellfish poison (PSP), has resulted in the
closure of growing areas; however,
commercial shellfish harvesting has not
been restricted because of chemical or
radioactive contamination.
Sewage wastes associated with population
growth appear to pose the greatest threat
to approved shellfish growing areas in
Region 10. Because of the small size of
Oregon's shellfish industry and the generally
undeveloped nature of Alaskan clam
resources, future changes in Washington's
commercial shellfish areas would probably
have the greatest impact on the regional
economy.
Figure 20.
Status of Classified Shellfish Growing Areas
in Region 10
THOUSANDS OF ACRES
50 100 150
Washington
Alaska
Oregon
• AI'I'Ml 'VI D FOR O 'MMI MI'IA
HARVESTING
HI i 'Nl'l IU >NA [ 1 Al PRI IVEDFOR Cl >MMI R< IA|
.Ml i I M- .1 I f lAh'VI '.TIN! ,
I CLOSED TO Cl >MMI Mi IA[ IHELLI I'.n HAMVI MINI ,
AMM-. iicpnti'd represent only those i«irtiMM-* of the
tout estuarme .mil coastal areas tli.it luvc been
< hv ihi' •.!.iir shellfish i ontrol .iqi'm IBS
Regional Summary:
Percentage of the Region's
active shellfish areas that are
open for harvesting.
20
-------
Noise
'-
When sound levels become loud enough
to be disagreeable and are instead called
noise (unpleasantly loud sounds), they also
become a threat to human health. The
problem is not limited to acute situations
such as occupational noise that can cause
hearing loss, but also includes chronic
community noise, which affects us physically
and mentally by causing nervousness,
tension, and loss of sleep.
In an annual housing survey conducted by
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, noise has consistently been
the most frequently cited undesirable
condition in residential neighborhoods, and
has been one of the leading reasons for
residents wanting to move.
Noise generated by transportation dominates
the problem—airplanes, trucks, passenger
vehicles, and motorcycles, and even
motorboats and snowmobiles are all
contributors.
The Federal Noise Control Act of 1972 gives
EPA authority to set standards for cars,
trucks, interstate railroads, aircraft, etc.
However, the primary responsibility for
control of noise rests with state and local
governments. EPA has assisted Oregon
and Washington in developing noise regula-
tions, has helped Anchorage, Seattle, and
Portland in developing noise control
ordinances, and has assisted with monitoring
of noise levels from railroad locomotives,
ferries, and auto and motorcycle racetracks.
Table 6 lists the cities and counties in
Oregon, as well as Alaska and Washing-
ton, that have passed noise ordinances,
and indicates the level of enforcement by
the agencies responsible.
Table 6.
Region 10 Cities and Counties with
Local Noise Ordinances
In Idaho, however, there is no active
state noise control program for stationary or
motor vehicle noise sources. At the local
level, only ordinances for nuisance-type
noises exist. The city of Boise conducted a
city-wide noise survey in 1977 for use in
planning.
CITIES/COUNTIES
WITH ORDINANCES
WASHINGTON
Columbia
Dupont
Everett
Lynn wood
Monroe
N. Bonneville
Olympia
Othello
Poulsbo
Seattle
Snohomish
Winslow
Clallam Co.
Clark Co.
Kitsap Co.
Snohomish Co.
King Co.
OREGON
Eugene
Milwaukie
Dallas
Monroe
Portland
Salem
West Linn
Winston
Multnomah Co.
ALASKA
Anchorage
E- Environmental land use
M- Motor Vehicle
TYPE OF ORDINANCE
E,M,N
E,M
E (com & res only)
M
N
N
E
M
N
E.M.N
E,M,N
E.M.N
E.M.N
E
N - dog control
E
E - res only
E.M.N
M
N.O
N
M
E.M.N.O
N
N
M
0
E.M.N
N- Nuisance
O Offroad Vehicles
ORDINANCE CURRENTLY
ENFORCED
E.M.N
E.M
E - Safety
M - Police
N - Police
N - Police
E - Police/Planning
M - Police
N - Police
EMN - Police
E - Health Dept
M,N - Police
E - City Manager
M,N - Police
U
N - Humane Society
E - Sheriff
E - Sheriff/Health
E - Health Dept
M.N - Police
M - Police
N,O - Police
N - Police
M - Police
E - Neighborhood Env.
M.N.O
N - Police
N - Police
M - Police
O - Police
E - Health & Env Protection
21
-------
Drinking Water Quality
In 1974, Congress enacted the Safe
Drinking Water Act, which established a
national program to ensure pure water
from the Nation's quarter-million public
water systems. There are 60,000
community water systems serving resident
populations, and 200,000 non-community
water systems serving non-resident
populations in such facilities as
campgrounds and highway rest-stops. The
Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
became effective for community water
systems in 1977 and for non-community
water systems in mid-1979
EPA's role under the Safe Drinking Water
Act is to establish standards for drinking
water quality and to assist states in
developing preventive public health
programs. The states in turn are to assure
that public water systems comply with the
EPA standards and to implement such
preventive programs as proper construction,
operation, and maintenance of public
water system facilities. In Idaho, the Safe
Drinking Water Act is being implemented by
the State Department of Health and Welfare.
Idaho has approximately 850 community
water systems and over 1,400 non-
community water systems.
The Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
address contaminants which cause both
acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term)
diseases. Microbiological contaminants,
turbidity (which increases the risk associated
with microbiological contaminants), and
nitrate all may result in disease if
contaminated water is consumed only once
or for a very short time. Heavy metals,
pesticides, and radiochemicals, at the low
levels commonly found in drinking water,
result in disease only if contaminated water
is consumed for several years or more.
Therefore, Idaho has initially emphasized
the acute contaminants, particuarly bacteria,
in implementing the community water system
program.
Figure 21.
Compliance with EPA Drinking Water
Standards
a. Community Water Systems
Figures 21a and b show the degree of
compliance attained in Idaho in 1978 for
EPA regulations for microbiological
contaminants. There are 440 community
systems (55 percent) that comply with EPA
regulations; they serve 83 percent of the
state's populaton. Data for 26 percent of
the systems, serving 53,000 people, are
insufficient to judge compliance. Nineteen
percent of the community systems, serving
approximately 11 percent of the population,
experience major or minor violations.
NUMBER OF COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS
300 600 900 1200 1500
Alaska
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
b. Persons Served by
Community Water Systems
POPULATION SERVED UN THOUSANDS)
500 1000 1500 2000
2500
Alaska
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
I IN COMPLIANCE WITH BACTERIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANT LEVELS
1 MINOR (1 MONTH) VIOLATION OF CONTAMINANT LEVEL
] MAJOR (2 OR MORE MONTHS) VIOLATION OF CONTAMINANT LEVEL
I SUFFICIENT DATA NOT AVAILABLE TO DETERMINE COMPLIANCE
22
-------
Idaho's preventive public health activities
include detailed reviews of water system
plans and specifications prior to construction
of such facilities, routine inspections of water
systems to locate public health hazards
which may not be determined from evalua-
tions of water quality information, and
informal technical assistance to water
treatment plant operators regarding
operation and maintenance problems.
On a regional basis, only 28 percent of the
community water systems comply with
regulations for bacterial contamination;
however, this includes 71 percent of the
population served by such systems
(Figures 22a and b). Data are inadequate
to assess compliance in 57 percent of the
systems, and in 15 percent, major or minor
violations of regulations on bacterial
contamination have been reported.
Figure 22.
a. Regional Summary Based on Percentage
of Community Water Systems
b. Regional Summary Based on Population
Served by Community Water Systems
D
IN COMPLIANCE
MINOR VIOLATIONS
MAJOR VIOLATIONS
INADEQUATE DATA
23
-------
Solid Waste and Hazardous Substances
When a product has reached the end of
its useful life, it is normally thrown away.
Discarded items typically end up in a
landfill or illegally dumped elsewhere—out
of sight, out of mind. Scarcity of land for
solid waste disposal, concern about limited
resources, and serious health hazards
arising from improper disposal of toxic
substances prompted Congress to pass
the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) in 1976. The following section
summarizes the waste problems addressed
through RCRA in the Pacific Northwest,
as well as hazards dealt with by other
means.
Solid Waste Disposal
The Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act provides for criteria to be established
for landfill operations. In the past, municipal
landfills have often been open dumps.
Open burning of wastes has been virtually
eliminated from Region 10, but many
environmental problems related to improper
disposal of municipal waste remain.
(Disposal of hazardous waste is discussed
below.) Water pollution is the major concern.
Rainwater draining over the surface of a fill,
or filtering into the ground through the
wastes, can dissolve (leach) such undesirable
substances as chemicals and bacteria into
streams and groundwater. Because of the
higher rainfall and greater population west
of the Cascades, leachate problems there
have been more numerous and serious
than in more arid parts of Region 10. As a
result of RCRA, new landfills have been
designed and some old landfills are being
upgraded to include leachate collection
and treatment systems. Recently constructed
landfills such as those in Lane County,
Oregon, and Snohomish County,
Washington, have been engineered for
leachate collection and treatment. Older
landfills which had serious leachate
problems, such as the Cedar Hills landfill in
King County, Washington, are beginning
to install leachate collection systems which
pump leachate into the sewage treatment
system. Other landfills may have to be closed
altogether.
Sewage sludge disposal is an increasing
problem as water pollution requirements
become stricter and landfill space becomes
scarce. Alternatives such as incineration
and using the sludge on farm or forest land
are being tried. Certain areas have special
disposal problems. In Alaska, for example,
severe cold makes disposal difficult.
There are other disposal problems, some of
which result from improper practices. For
example, when garbage decomposes
methane gas is produced as a by-product.
Methane is toxic to vegetation and is
explosive in certain concentrations.
Decomposition can also produce odors.
Household wastes, in particular, may attract
disease-carrying rodents and insects. Proper
disposal operation, including daily cover and
proper compaction, will reduce many of
these problems.
Resource Recovery
RCRA provides financial assistance for
cities and public solid waste management
authorities to develop and implement
comprehensive solid waste plans, including
environmentally sound disposal methods
and resource recovery and conservation
programs. Some municipal wastes, such as
glass, metal, and newspaper, can be
recycled; and much of the rest can be
converted to "refuse-derived fuel" (RDF)
or burned to produce steam or electricity.
Lane County, Oregon, and Tacoma,
Washington, are testing RDF plants.
Moscow, Idaho; Portland and Roseburg,
Oregon; and Cowlitz County, Snohomish
County, and King County, Washington,
are also studying the feasibility of
converting waste to energy. The economics
of recycled materials are typically very good
in the Portland and Puget Sound areas, but
recycling programs in Idaho and Alaska
suffer from higher transportation costs.
Other wastes which have potential for
recovery and at the same time present
serious disposal problems include tires,
lubricating oil, and wood waste. Discarded
tires gradually work to the surface in a
landfill, where they trap water and become
a breeding place for mosquitos; and they
are a fire hazard. Recently, shredded tires
have been used as a fuel in boilers at the
Georgia-Pacific plywood mill in Toledo,
Oregon. Waste lubricating oil used on
roads as a dust suppressant can contaminate
air and water, and lead in the oil makes
indiscriminate burning or disposal
undesirable. Oregon recently passed a
Used Oil Collection Act, providing for
designated collection centers, which will
encourage re-refining of waste oil. Wood
waste, which can pollute water resources and
consume significant space in landfills, is
presently being used to produce steam in
several northwest timber mills and utilities.
It may also be used in combination with
refuse-derived fuel.
Hazardous Materials
The Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act mandates government control of
hazardous waste from its generation to
ultimate disposal, including a manifest
system and a permit system for treatment,
storage and disposal facilities. Figure 23
shows locations of disposal sites in Idaho.
Compared to other parts of the country, there
are fewer industrial sources of hazardous
waste in Region 10. Most of it is created by
manufacturers of chemicals, pesticides, and
metals; petroleum refineries; and electro-
plating operations. These sources are
concentrated around Puget Sound and in the
Willamette Valley. In agricultural areas of
the Region, the primary source of hazardous
waste is discarded pesticide containers.
-------
Figure 23.
Location of Hazardous Waste and
Recovery Sites in Region 10
CHEMICAL WASTE OIL PROCESSORS
OPERATING CHEMICAL LAND FILLS
PROPOSED CHEMICAL LAND FILLS
CONSTRUCTED RDF PLANTS
ENERGY RECOVERY PLANT FEASIBILITY
STUDY UNDERWAY
WASTE EXCHANGES
LOCALITY WHERE RECYCLING FACILITY
AVAILABLE (MORE THAN ONE TYPE
HOUSEHOLD WASTE—GLASS TAPER
ALUMINUM ETC I
NOTE State of Alaska is represented al
approximately 30% of true scale
For RCRA to be effective, acceptable waste
disposal sites must be available. There are
two state-licensed chemical landfills in
Region 10 at Arlington, Oregon, and
Grandview, Idaho. A third has been proposed
on the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford
Reservation in Washington. The availability
of such landfills, coupled with the active
involvement of Region 10 states in hazardous
waste management, has helped prevent
serious incidents involving hazardous
wastes from occurring in the Region.
Nevertheless, there is opposition to using
these landfills to dispose of wastes from
out-of-state. In addition, RCRA does not
address the problem of abandoned facilities,
which have posed serious health hazards
elsewhere in the country in several
documented instances. A national trust
fund for cleanup of abandoned sites has been
proposed and an inventory of such sites is
being conducted.
Besides landfilling, there are several
other approaches taken to waste
management in the Northwest. Waste
exchanges in Portland and Seattle assist
parties wishing to dispose of a hazardous
substance in locating a second party that
can use or recycle the material, thereby
eliminating a need for disposal. The second
party may be a chemical processor that uses
the waste as feedstock for another product.
Regulations determine how some substances
are used; for instance, labeling and
disposal procedures have been established
for the more than 800 facilities in Region 10
using or storing polychlorinated biphenyl
(PCB), a highly toxic substance used in
electrical transformers and capacitors. Some
efforts have also been made to rectify past
uses of hazardous substances. Each state in
Region 10 will participate in a voluntary
national program to reduce the exposure
of school children to asbestos fiber found
in older school buildings. In addition to
long-term management plans, emergency
response plans have been developed.
Units within several fire departments,
including Seattle and Tukwila, Washington,
have been trained to deal with incidents
involving hazardous materials.
25
-------
Radiation
As Figure 24 shows, every person is
exposed to radiation from naturally
occuring, inescapable sources like cosmic
rays and soil. Normally, less than half a
person's radiation exposure is man-made.
The data in Figure 28 are based on national
statistics, but are representative for
Region 10 as well.
Because the genetic and cancer-causing
effects of radiation are thought to be additive
or cumulative, the radiation dose to
Figure 24.
Average Amount of Exposure to Radiation.
Per Person Per Year
127
125
MAXIMUM EXPOSURE NOT TO EXCEED
170 MIUIREMS OVER AND ABOVE
NATURAL BACKGROUND AND
NECESSARY MEDICAL EXPOSURE
AVERAGE US. CITIZENS ANNUAL EXPOSURE
IN MILLIREMS
NUCLEAR POWER
MEDICAL DENTAL
NATURAL COSMIC
NATLIRAL TERRESTRIAL
individuals must be kept to the lowest
practicable level. EPA limits the radiation
dose to individuals and to the total population
by monitoring radiation, and by setting and
enforcing regulations on radioactivity in
air, drinking water, surface water, and waste
materials, and from nuclear power plants.
Pesticides
Pesticides are poisons for controlling
insects, weeds, or rodents. Improperly
used, they can harm other organisms
besides their target, causing illness or death.
The regulation of pesticides poses some
complex policy and technical issues.
Conventional chemical pesticides, by their
very nature, are hazardous, but they are
widely viewed as necessary to maintain
agricultural productivity. In addition, the
hazards of pesticides, especially the long-
term effects, are difficult to assess.
The law that gives EPA authority to regulate
pesticides is the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Pesticide producers are inspected, and they
and their product must be registered with
EPA. Testing of pesticide products, labeling
for consumer use, and annual reporting are
also required of manufacturers.
The EPA and state agencies work together
to regulate the manufacture and use of
pesticides. During 1979, EPA had
cooperative enforcement agreements with
the Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State
Departments of Agriculture. This means that
primary enforcement responsibilities
covering such things as fines, restricting
use, and suspending licenses, rest with the
state, but EPA can take further action if
warranted.
The major thrust of the FIFRA program is
directed toward pesticide users. Since
1976, EPA has worked with the states in
developing training and certification
programs. Applicators of restricted use
pesticides (pesticides with greater potential
for causing adverse effects) must be certified
to ensure that they are competent in the
use of these pesticides. EPA and the states
combine efforts to see that pesticides are
being used according to label directions.
After pesticides are used, the Food and Drug
Administration is responsible for checking
that pesticide residues on raw agricultural
commodities are within required limits.
Environmental monitoring for pesticides,
through the offices of EPA, is conducted by
certain state health departments through
EPA grants.
Pesticide registration and resulting use
can be discontinued at any time EPA
determines that unreasonable adverse effects
outweigh the benefit from continued use
of the pesticide. If further restricting use
of the pesticide cannot correct the
problems, ultimately the product can be
cancelled or suspended. For example, EPA
recently took emergency action to suspend
products containing 2,4,5-T and Silvex.
26
-------
Photo Credits
Cover (upper left) Idaho Division of Tourism and Industrial Development
Cover (upper right) Idaho Division of Tourism and Industrial Development
Cover (lower left) Idaho Department of Commerce and Development
Cover (lower right) Idaho Division of Tourism and Industrial Development
Page 1 R. R. Thiel
Page 7 Idaho Department of Commerce and Development
Page 8 -; Idaho Department of Commerce and Development
Page 9 (lower left) Documerica
Page 13 Idaho Department of Commerce and Development
Page 15 Idaho Department of Commerce and Development
Page 17 Idaho Division of Tourism and Industrial Development
Page 20 (center) Oregon State Highway Travel Section
Page 20 (right) ATMS photo by Bob and Ira Spring
Page 22 C. Bruce Forster, Portland, Oregon
Page 23 (left) Idaho Division of Tourism and Industrial Development
Page 23 (upper right) Idaho Division of Tourism and Industrial Development
Page 24 Documerica
------- |