United States Region 10
Environmental Protection 1200 Sixth Avenue
Agency Seattle WA 98101
Office of the Regional Administrator
Environmental Programs in
Idaho
An EPA Report
1983
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Idaho, like all other States is being urged by EPA to assume more of the
statutory authorities that Congress gave State governments for implementing
the body of environmental laws enacted in the last 12 years. With varying
degrees of emphasis in each of those laws, it was Congress1 clear intent for
EPA to work with the States in partnership. EPA's purpose is to support State
pollution control efforts with Federal grants and technical assistance and to
carry out those programs that the State does not take. In Fiscal Year 1983,
EPA provided Idaho with almost $20 million in Federal funds (see Attachment A)
to support State environmental efforts.
A key role for EPA is, therefore, to help the State take responsibility for the
development, management and enforcement of environmental programs so that they
can be tailored to fit the State's needs. Although only 4 of the 9 major
programs that EPA can legally delegate have been assumed by Idaho, Idaho is
participating in the other program areas through various memorandum of
understandings. State involvement in these programs will allow for smooth
transitions as Idaho takes more program responsibilities. EPA will be
actively encouraging Idaho to take on the primary responsibilities for
programs which have not been delegated. EPA's purpose will be to fulfill our
mutual Congressional mandate, with the result that Idaho itself will
administer environmental programs that will satisfy Federal statutory
requirements and be more responsive to local situations in the environ-
mental and geographic climate unique to Idaho.
The following pages describe major issues facing the State and EPA, and
provide a listing of the major EPA grant programs which support Idaho's
environmental activities. A roster of the top management officials in EPA's
Region 10 who can provide more information about any of the issues discussed
in this document is provided below.
Phone
Regional Administrator John R. Spencer (206) 442-5810
Deputy Administrator L. Edwin Coate (206) 442-1220
Regional Counsel James Moore (206) 442-1152
Water Division Director Robert Burd ' (206) 442-1014
Air and Waste Management Director Alexandra Smith (206) 442-1352
Management Director Nora McGee • (206) 442-1233
Environmental Services Director Gary O'Neal (206) 442-1295
Idaho Operations Office Director M. Lynn McKee (208) 334-1450
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IDAHO PRIORITY ISSUES
AIR QUALITY
Delegation of air programs to Idaho
Last year the air program for Idaho was reinstated in the State. This program
allows the State such activities as new source permitting, compliance,
enforcement, and monitoring. This year, Idaho's Department of Health and
Welfare will begin activities that will enable them to assume two Federal
Clean Air Act responsibilities that have been administered by EPA: the
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program and the New Source
Performance Standards (NSPS) program.
The PSD program is designed to keep clean air areas clean. It applies to
places that, by a wide margin, meet ambient air quality standards to protect
human health. Full delegation is expected to be assumed by IDHW by September
1983.
The NSPS program, as its name implies, calls for new sources of air pollution
to meet emission standards established by EPA. Delegation of this program to
Idaho will require IDHW to enforce those standards. Full delegation is
expected to be assumed by IDHW by September 1983.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) in Boise (Ada County)
Northern Ada County continues to experience a serious air quality problem due
to carbon monoxide emissions from automobiles.
Local government recently submitted their 1982 Transportation Control Plan
which, when implemented, will result in attainment of the Federal carbon
monoxide standard by 1987. The single most effective control measure in this
plan is the auto emissions inspection and maintenance program to be implemented
in Ada County. The emissions test program is scheduled to be in operation by
December, 1983. The Plan has been proposed for approval in the February 3rd
Federal Register. However, should the inspection and maintenance program not
be implemented, the Plan would be disapproved and result in the imposition of
sanctions.
Sanctions (1982 Deadline)
The Clean Air Act requires all areas of the country to attain the primary
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as expeditiously as practicable,
but no later than December 31, 1982. In non-attainment areas for carbon
monoxide, such as Ada County, and for ozone, the Act allows an extension until
1987. Two areas in Idaho have not yet attained the Federal health standard
for particulate matter; these areas are Pocatello and Conda/Soda Springs. The
Clean Air Act provides for sanctions of certain Federal funding and a
moratorium on construction of new major sources in areas that have not
attained the 1982 deadline.
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Field Burning
Approximately 30,000 acres of agricultural fields are burned each summer in
Northern Idaho. This practice which is limited primarily to fields in grass
seed production results in tremendous quantities of smoke. The smoke has been
linked with severe visibility reduction, adverse health effects, degradation
of overall air quality, and adverse effects on commercial business in the
areas, especially the tourist industry.
The State of Idaho has regulations which govern agricultural field burning.
The State is currently reviewing the adequacy of existing regulations and
their smoke management plan. A study is underway to determine if the acreage
burned each year can be reduced. In addition, the State is examining ways
to make smoke management more effective. Implementation of possible regula-
tory revisions and refined smoke management practices will retain a high
priority in FY 84.
Residential Wood Combustion - Boise
The increase in wood burning in Boise is of growing concern due to the health
impacts and haze associated with resulting particulate emissions. In residen-
tial areas, the wood stoves also contribute to the carbon monoxide (CO)
loading. (It should also be noted that wood-burning devices produce from 10
to 100 times more particulate pollution per BTU than oil or gas-fired
furnaces.) IDHW and EPA are planning to do some short-term monitoring to
quantify the extent and seriousness of the particulate problem as well as CO
impact and then will propose a control strategy, if necessary. EPA is
prepared to provide both technical and monetary support to the IDHW effort.
WATER QUALITY
Waste water discharge permits
EPA issues and administers the NPDES waste water discharge permit program in
Idaho. This program, referred to as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimi-
nation System is intended to limit the discharge of pollutants to surface
waters. These permits require compliance with national guidelines and State
water quality standards.
Because of severe restrictions of EPA resources, this program can be handled
more efficiently and effectively with an increased role from IDHW. IDHW
personnel deal directly with all of the 400 or so identified dischargers and
can be much more effective in promoting construction and proper operation
and maintenance of treatment facilities.
It is EPA's hope that Idaho will soon take delegation of the NPDES program.
The necessary regulations and legislation changes are scheduled to be drafted
by IDHW this year.
Trout Farming
Since Idaho has not assumed the NPDES program, EPA is working directly with
the fish farms in the Hagerman Valley. EPA recently issued approximately
60 compliance orders establishing discharge limits and requiring monitoring
of the fish farm discharges. EPA has also offered to assist the fish
farmers in developing a sample monitoring program. Permits are scheduled
for issuance in summer of 1983 using the results of the monitoring program.
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HAZARDQUS WASTE MANAGEMENT IN IDAHO
The Idaho Legislature has not yet passed enabling legislation allowing the
State to assume responsibility for the hazardous waste management program.
After consulting with representatives of industry and environmental groups,
IDHW had prepared draft legislation which will be considered during the 1983
legislative session. Once legislation is passed, EPA will provide contractors'
assistance to IDHW in the development of regulations. IDHW will then adopt
final implementing regulations, and submit an application to EPA for
authorization to begin running the program in January 1985. IDHW will be
applying for final authorization. The time table for applying for interim
authorization expires in July, 1983.
Until IDHW is in the position to make such an application, EPA will be encour-
aging the State of Idaho to continue in the Cooperative Agreement that allows
EPA and IDHW to jointly conduct hazardous waste management activities as long
as IDHW is making reasonable progress in obtaining final authorization.
ABANDONED OR INACTIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES
Three proposed hazardous waste sites in Idaho are being considered for the
current updating of the National Priority List. (This lists the priority
hazardous waste sites in the United States)
Arrcom Corp., Drexler Enterprises Inc. (Rathdrum, Idaho)
Arrcom sits directly above the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, the designated sole
source of water supply serving thousands of people, of which about 6300 are
within a 3-mile radius of the site. The site may be contaminating the aquifer
with waste chloroform and possibly PCB. Contaminants may also get on food
crops via irrigation with contaminated water. A 45,000 gallon storage tank
on-site has been and is continuing to leak into the ground. EPA is in the
process of issuing a compliance order to Arrcom. If clean-up of the site is
not accomplished by this mechanism, then Superfund, the Federal law which
provides funding for cleaning-up hazardous waste sites resulting from past
practices, may be necessary.
Bunker Hill (Smelterville, Idaho)
Bunker Hill is a lead and zinc mining and smelting complex that operated for
over 50 years. It lies in the steep-sided valley of the South Fork of the
Coeur d'Alene River. The valley has historically been subject to air and
water pollution for the past 50 years. Soils are contaminated with lead.
Groundwater and surface water had been severely polluted from past operations.
Recently, there have been some environmental improvements, which are probably
due to corrective actions by Bunker Hill. However, there are still concerns in
the area.
The firm was recently sold to a consortium of Idaho businessmen. Future
environmental control activity will be influenced by decisions, yet to be made
by the new owners, as to whether they will resume full-scale operations of the
Bunker Hill facility.
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Flynn Lumber (Caldwell, Idaho)
Flynn Lumber operated a small pole-dipping operation for about eight months
3 1/2 miles east of Caldwell, above the Boise River Alluvial Aquifer. Tanks
on the site contained low concentrations of pentachlorophenol (PCP) which were
later spilled on the ground when the tanks were removed.
Soil samples revealed low levels of PCP. The holes from the spilled tanks have
now been covered over. Available literature indicates that the PCP should
degrade before it can reach the aquifer. For the present time the only
action that should be taken is to monitor a nearby well.
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EPA Grants to Idaho
CONSTRUCTION GRANTS $12.9 million
Construction grants provide 75% of the funding to build municipal sewerage
works, which include treatment plants, interceptor sewers, final effluent
discharge lines, and sewage collection systems. The Department of Health
and Welfare (IDHW) administers the program. The $12.9 million available for
Idaho is made up of an $11.9 million FY 83 allocation plus unobligated FY 82
funds. Projects are scheduled for funding under a priority list established
annually by the Department. Post Falls ($2.4 million), Coeur d'Alene ($7.6
million), Eagle ($1.8M), and Boise ($1.9M) have the highest priority on the
current list.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
a) Mater Programs Grant (Section 106) $421,000
EPA annually awards this grant under Section 106 of the Clean Water
Act to assist the Department of Health and Welfare in managing their
statewide water pollution control program. State activities
partially supported by these funds include planning, permitting,
enforcement and water quality monitoring. Water quality problems
currently being addressed by the State under this program range from
the control of toxic metals from mining operations to the reduction
of sediment from timber harvesting.
b) Water Planning Grant [Section 205(j)l minimum $200,000
maximum $237,000
A minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of one percent of Idaho's annual
funding to build sewage treatment plants can be directed toward water
planning activities under §205(j). This is a new provision or the
Clean Water Act. "The amounts noted above include both FY 82 and FY
83 funds. These are the only planning funds now potentially
available to local water quality agencies, but also are to support
statewide planning. The minimum amount will be lost to the State if
not used for water planning activities.
c) State Management Assistance Grant [Section 205(g)1 $477,000 FY-83
472,000 FY-82
A maximum of four percent of Idaho's annual funding to build sewage
treatment plants can be used to pay IDHW's expenses in managing the
EPA and State sewage treatment plant construction program. These
funds are intended to provide the necessary resources for the State
to continue managing the program delegated to the State by EPA in
1979.
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PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM SUPERVISION PROGRAM $314,700 - FY 83
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
The purpose of the public water system supervision program is to
assure safe drinking water for residents and visitors to the State.
EPA has developed national drinking water standards. The states are
to assure that water systems, which serve the public, comply with
these standards and any other requirements which the states choose to
implement. For the program to be most effective, it must be
preventive in nature.
IDHW accepted responsibility for implementing the national drinking
water standards in 1978. Prior to that time, there had been only a
relatively small state program. Since 1978, significant improvements
have been made in attaining water system compliance with the
standards, but further progress is necessary. The State has
identified a number of water systems which need improvements, and
continued work between the State and the water systems will be
required to assure that needed improvements are made.
UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
Idaho Department of Water Resources $ 66,600 - FY 83
The purpose of the Underground Injection Control program is to
protect underground sources of drinking water from contamination by
the injection of contaminated water. EPA has developed construction
and operating requirements to assure that wells which inject waste
fluids underground do not contaminate ground water. Any state
assuming the Federal program is to assure that injection wells comply
with these standards and any other more stringent requirements which
the state chooses to implement. The Department of Water Resources has
been designated by the Governor as the lead State agency and is
coordinating other State agencies' role in the program. The State
Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has the major role in oil and gas
related injections. The Department of Health and Welfare has
jurisdiction over shallow injection wells. Additional State
legislation will be necessary, however, for the State to assume the
national program. The major area of concern by EPA is that the
State's regulations do not have sufficient penalty provisions.
Hazardous Waste Grant $179,000
The Division of the Environment in the Idaho Department of Health and
Welfare receives an annual EPA grant under the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act for development and implementation of a hazardous
waste regulatory program. The program consists of an inspection
program, a tracking system for the generation, transportation and
disposal of hazardous waste as well as a permit program for
regulating treatment, storage and disposal facilities. During 1983,
the State will continue development of their program and assist EPA
in implementation of the Federal program.
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The clear intent of the Federal Act is authorization of State programs to
operate in lieu of the Federal program. Idaho needs enabling legislation to
adopt the regulations necessary to apply for authorization. During 1983 a
proposed bill will be reintroduced, which, if passed, should provide the
State with the necessary authority.
PESTICIDES
State EPA
Applicator Certification Grant $33,590 $.18,800 (No FY 83
funds available to
date)
The applicator certification grant was awarded to the Idaho Department of
Agriculture. The funding will assist the State in maintaining its testing
and licensing program for pesticide applicators. This program is to ensure
that persons using restricted use pesticide products are competent in hand-
ling and application of highly hazardous pesticides.
Cooperative Enforcement Grant $49,689 $124,767
The Idaho Department of Agriculture has assumed the primary enforcement
responsibility for pesticide use within the State. Under the grant, the
State will enforce federal and state laws regarding pesticide use, product
manufacturing or sales.
AIR
105 Air Program Grants
$570,000
EPA makes a grant to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to assist
in funding the operation of the State air pollution control program. This
grant must be matched by at least 25 percent non-federal funding.
In addition, EPA has made up to $370,000 available to Ada County through
the Ada Planning Association for the initiation of a mandatory inspection
and maintenance (automobile emissions testing) program.
Some of the above figures include "Carryover funds" — funds awarded to the
State in FY 82, but unexpended at the end of the fiscal year. These funds can
be used in FY 83 for the continuation of on going projects.
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EPA Grants to State Agencies
State of Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare
Consolidated Programs
Air
Water
Hazardous Waste
Totals
Other Grants
Local Air
Underground Injection
Public Water System
Totals
Department of Agriculture
Pesticides
Certification
Enforcement
Totals
Construction Grants (as of 1-31-83)
FY 83 Funds
General Funds
Increase Reserve
State Mgmt. Asst.
Innovative Tech.
Alternative Tech.
Small Communities
Advance Reserve
Water Quality Mgt.
Totals 11,916,000
(FY 83 funds expire 9-30-84
1982 funds
awarded
300,000
400,000
143.623
843,623
24,000
64,876
427.100
515,976
18,800
129.959
148,759
1983 funds
available
184,500
421,000
115,019
720,519
unknown
66,600
314.700
381,300
-0-
97,032
97,032
Appropriation
9,335,010
862,335
476,640
59,580
417,060
476,640
169,575
119.160
Obligated
-0-
-0-
-0-
-0-
-0-
25,338
-0-
-0-
Unobli gated
Balance
9,335,010
862,335
476,640
59,580
417,060
451,302
169,575
119,160
25,338 11,890,662
FY 82 Funds
General Fund
Increase Reserve
State Mgmt. Asst.
Innovative Tech.
Alternative Tech.
Advance Reserve
Water Quality Mgt.
Totals
(FY 82 funds expire 9-30-83)
Appropriation
,233,
737,
472,
59,
315,
128,
316
023
404
050
592
040
118.101
$6,063,526
Unobligated
Obligated Balance
4,195,575
737,023
472,404
156
19,374
-0-
-0-
37,741
-0-
-0-
58,894
296,218
128,040
118,101
$5,424,532
$638,994
FY 72 through FY 81 carryover - $340,160
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