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Quality Pr
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United States^*
Environmental Protects
Agency <
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 99101
DIVISIOI
Departjpei
WeOfare
450 W. Sta.
Boise, Idahtf
July 1981
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Contents/Summary
3 River Water
Although Idaho's water quality is generally pretty
good, portions of major rivers may have marginal
quality, according to the water quality standards.
Mining has had effects on the Spokane and Coeur
d'Alene Rivers while heavy metals from unknown
sources have affected the Lower Salmon and Clearwater
Rivers. The lower Portneuf River has been degraded
by municipal, industrial and agricultural sources while
Rock Creek has suffered irrigation wastewater pollution.
High suspended solids have been found in the Bruneau
and Bear Rivers Even though EPA permits are required
of those industries and municipalities that discharge
waste into streams, wastewater is not always treated
adequately. Facilities become overloaded from ground-
water or stormwater entering sewers, and at times low
streamflow does not allow for maintenance of the water
quality standards.
7 Lakes
Most major problems in Idaho's principal lakes appear
to be due to algal blooms stimulated by agricultural
runoff and septic tanks. Photosynthetic activity and
algae decomposition can adversely affect fish in
reservoirs. Sewage treatment plant discharges have
been, in some cases, removed from rivers that flow into
reservoirs, helping to clean up that situation. Agri-
cultural nutrients and discharges of sewage effluents
have affected American Falls Reservoir. Agricultural
runoff from non-point sources entering the Snake River
upstream from Oxbow and Brownlee Reservoirs has
degraded those lakes. Excessive algal growth due to
summer inflows from agricultural non-point sources
affects Lake Lowell, which receives heavy recreational
use by residents of Boise Valley.
9 Underground Water
Although not originally listed as needing to develop
Underground Injection Control regulations, Idaho
petitioned to be included in the EPA's UIC listings. Idaho
will receive EPA grant money through 1 981 and is using
it to collect background data on aquifers, inventory
injection wells and to evaluate the adequacy of state
laws and regulations. Idaho has been implementing
protective activities in the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum
Prairie Aquifer, which provides drinking water for
40,000 Idahoans and 300.000 Washmgtonians in the
Coeur d'Alene and Spokane areas.
10 Solid Waste and Hazardous
Substances
There is concern that state regulations governing
subsurface sewage disposal and wastewater injection
will not prevent pollution of drinking water sources in
several areas in Idaho. Although no large-scale
problems have occurred because of improper disposal
of hazardous substances in the state, the large amount
of hazardous and exempted wastes generated are not
properly managed. A solid waste plan will be a high
priority in 1982 and regulations will be updated to
ensure all waste disposal facilities are covered. Boise
is studying the feasibility of converting municipal
wastes, such as glass, metal and newspaper, to energy,
but recycling programs throughout the rest of the state
suffer from high transportation costs and small volume
12 Air
The EPA has taken over the responsibility of main-
taining an air quality program in Idaho. It appears the
EPA will be limited to maintenance of an ambient air
monitoring system and a program for protecting public
health. Federal standards have been set for six major
pollutants: Total Suspended Particulates, Sulfur
Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide. Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide
and Lead. Suspended paniculate matter, or solid and
liquid particles of various sizes, can increase coughing
and chest discomfort and can aggravate asthma and
chronic lung diseases. The Pocatello and Conda-Soda
Springs areas' have serious problems with the sus-
pended particulates produced by fertilizer and industrial
chemical processors. In Lewiston, the wood products
industry and kraft pulp mill are sources of particulates.
Boise suffers problems with carbon monoxide due to
heavy traffic.
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IDAHO ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PROFILE
The Idaho Department of Health and
Welfare. Division of Environment (IDHW-
DOE) and the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) have jointly prepared this
Idaho Environmental Quality Profile.
The purpose of this Profile is to provide
the public with a current assessment of
environmental problems in Idaho and the
related program efforts of DOE and EPA
that will be directed at solving these priority
problems. This is a draft report and it is
intended for interested Idaho citizens to
have the opportunity to provide guidance
on re-direction of program priorities. EPA
and DOE would like feedback to determine
if there are environmental problems of a
higher priority than those described in this
report that may have been missed in our
assessment. Thus:
• What are the most serious environ-
mental quality problems in Idaho?
• Should we be re-directing our
declining resources for environmental
protection to other program areas to
get the most return in environmental
clean-up?
• Are there better methods for tackling
these environmental problems?
• Do we need to place more emphasis on
specific geographical environmental
problem areas?
We are seeking public participation
in answering these questions. The result
will be used to provide additional direction
for the FY-82 programs.
The last page of this Report is a question-
nair. We would appreciate your taking the
time to fill out and return it.
Please direct any comments, concerns
or questions to:
Dr. Lee Stokes, Administrator
IDHW - Division of Environment
Statehouse
Boise. Idaho 83720
Phone: (208) 334-4059
or
M. Lynn McKee, Director
Idaho Operations Office. EPA
422 West Washington St.
Boise, Idaho 83720
Phone: (208) 334-1450
2
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WATER QUALITY STANDARDS - HISTORY AND DEFINITION
When Congress enacted amendments to
.the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act in 1972. a national goal to achieve
"fishable, swimmable" waters by 1 983
was set. The purpose of the Act isto protect
the quality of our nation's waters for a
variety of uses, including public water
supply, wildlife, fish and shellfish, re-
creation, navigation, agriculture and
industry. Each water use depends on
certain characteristics, such as temper-
ature, concentration of dissolved oxygen.
or absence of bacteria, which can be
measured and used to evaluate water
quality.
Idaho's water quality standards provide a
comprehensive set of criteria defining
water quality levels necessary to protect
human health, aquatic life and other
desired uses of rivers and streams. These
criteria thus represent water quality goals.
Most of Idaho's streams are managed to
support cold water game fish species such
as trout and salmon; however, some are
managed as warm water fisheries, sup-
porting bass, bullhead, and other fish
requiring less stringent criteria. The water
quality of individual streams or stream
portions is determined at monitoring
stations by measuring temperature, dis-
solved oxygen, acidity, etc , and comparing
the results with the criteria.
Table 1: Criteria Categories for the Water Quality Index
CRITERIA CATEGORY
EXPLANATION
Temperature
Dissolved Oxygen
PH
Aesthetics
Solids
Radioactivity
Bacteria
Trophic (Nutrient
Enrichment)
Organic Toxicity
Inorganic Toxicity
Water temperature 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. 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. For the
Index, this group is mostly represented by the turbidity parameter, which
is a measure of the clarity of the water, because it is much more widely
measured than any of the others within the group.
Dissolved mineral 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 having 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.
THE QUALITY OF IDAHO'S PRINCIPAL RIVERS
Water Quality in Idaho is generally good
to excellent, however, at certain times of
the year portions of major rivers have
marginal quality with respect to state and
national water quality goals.
Pollutants that reach the state's streams
have two general origins: 'Point sources'.
such as wastewater from industries and
sewage treatment plants that enter streams
at an easily identifiable location; and less
easily identifiable 'non-point sources' that
consist of stormwater from urban areas.
irrigation tail-water, and runoff from forest
and mining areas and dryland farms (such
as non-irrigated wheat farms).
Water quality criteria most often ex-
ceeded are those fortemperature. bacteria.
nutrient levels, heavy metals and sediment.
The significance of organic toxics is not
known since adequate information to make
such a determination has not been
collected. To attain the water quality goals.
wastewater treatment programs for point
sources and best management practices
for non-point sources either have been
implemented or are planned. Table 1 gives
the major parameters measured and used
in determining the relative quality of
various streams (the Water Quality Index).
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The most polluted streams in Idaho (le;
those that exceed the water quality limits
most frequently) are the South Fork Coeur
d'Alene River, the lower Portneuf River,
Rocs- Creek in T\\m Falls County, and
Panther Creek. Big Deer Creek, and Black-
bird Creek in the Salmon River drainage.
Much of the South Fork Coeur d'Alene
River is affected by high levels of heavy
metals from past and present mining and
ore-producing activities within it basin
Pollution from these activities also is
responsible for marginal water quality in
the Spokane and main-stem Coeur d'Alene
Rivers
The Portneuf River has been degraded by
a combination of municipal, industrial,
agricultural and natural sources The
upper Portneuf River is heavily impacted by
sediment from rainfall and snowmelt runoff
from dryland agricultural areas. Since the
summer of 1 980, however, much of the
municipal and industrial wastewater has
been diverted from the lower reaches of the
river. Rock Creek, which flows through
Twin Falls, is heavily polluted by irrigation
wastewater entering its lower reaches
Both the Portneuf River and Rock Creek
impact segments of the Snake River.
Panther, Big Deer and Blackbird Creeks
are affected by acid mine drainage from
the old Blackbird Mine near Cobalt. The
native and anadromous fisheries (trout,
dolly varden, salmon, etc.) have been
eliminated from portions of each of these
streams (For Panther Creek, the largest
of these streams, the fisheries have been
almost entirely eliminated in a reach from
the confluence with the Salmon and ex-
tending for 35 miles upstream)
Figure 1 give the worst three-month and the
average annual Water Quality Index of
various Idaho river and stream reaches with
respect to the water quality categories
evaluated.
Figure 2 shows the location of the major
streams in Idaho.
Many steam reaches, particularly in the
more arid portions of the state, exceed the
temperature criterion. Excessive bacterial
levels occur in some of Idaho's southern
streams, due primarily to runoff from
grazing and animal confinement areas.
Over half of the stream segments evaluated
show excessive nutrient concentrations
during at least part of the year. These are
mostly over-enriched by runoff from
irrigated and dryland agriculture, although
treated sewage may contribute to these
problems in some streams, such as the
Boise River.
Other streams with high suspended
solids levels are the Bear River near the
Wyoming border, the Bruneau River and
the Portneuf River. Rainfall and snow-
melt runoff from dryland agricultural areas
account for the sediment in the Portneuf
and Bear Rivers.
Limited monitoring for organic toxicants
in the waters of the Snake, Bear, Kootenai
and Salmon Rivers has not revealed signifi-
cant levels of contamination in recent
years. Fish tissue samples taken at 1 9 trend
stations in Idaho indicated that no criteria
Most of the other principal streams
monitored in Idaho are significantly
degraded during their worst three-month-
periods. Often a stream will meet the water
quality standards throughout most of the
year; however during the summer low flow,
heavy usage periods these standards may
not be maintained.
Other problems are attributed to agri-
cultural runoff from irrigation return flows,
particularly in Southern Idaho, and from
dryland farming in the Palouse area and in
Eastern Idaho, Some stream reaches are
affected by discharges from municipal and
industrial sewage treatment plants.
Examples are the Boise River and Milner
Reservoir on the Snake River. High con-
centrations of heavy metals from unknown
sources are primarily responsible for the
Lower Salmon and Clearwater Rivers'
marginal ratings. The remaining streams,
located in more remote areas of the state,
lack significant agricultural, urban and
industrial activities and generally meet
water quality goals.
were exceeded for 22 pesticides and other
organics. However, 26 percent and 30
percent of the total DDT1 and PCS2
samples, respectively, exceeded recom-
mended concentrations for the protection
of fish-eating birds and mammals. Large
amounts of PCBs were released to the
Upper Snake River following the flooding
caused by the failure of the Teton Dam.
Many of these water quality problems will
be the target of DOE's and EPA's program
effort during FY-82. In some cases, such
as the South Fork Coeur d'Alene problem
due to past mining activities, a low priority
has been assigned. This is because the
resource commitment to solve these
problems would be great in relationship
to the environmental gams and in the cost
to other program areas. There is also a
question as to the technical feasibility of
solving this problem.
'DDT is a chlorinated hydrocarbon that
accumulates in the biosphere. DDT has
had serious effects on wildlife and has been
found concentrated in human body tissue.
DDT is now banned for general application
and is approved for use in certain specific
instances.
2PCB stands for polychlormated byphenyls,
a material known to have extremely
hazardous health and environmental
effects. PCB's have not been manufactured
in the U.S. since 1977.
Figure 1: Water Quality Index Values for Idaho's Principal Rivers
WORST 3 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS
Low
r Portneut
Lower Bruneau
S F Coeur D'Alene
Lower Boise
Rock Creek (Twin Falls Co )
Middle Snake
Coeur D'Alene
Little Wood
Lower Snake
Bear
Clearwaler & Significant Tnbs
Salmon
Upper Snake
Clark Fork/Pend Oreille
Blackfoot
Big Wood
Henrys Fork
Payette. Incl N & S. Forks
WQI VALUE * ANNUAL AVERAGE WATER QUALITY INDEX
20 40 60 80 100
• M
•
•i •
•
• ,
•,,
»i,,
£
*,
Acceptable ' Marg nal ' Unacceptable '
Minimal or Intermittent or Moderate Sever Pollut on
No pollution Pollution
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WATER QUALITY TRENDS
CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION SOURCES
The general water quality picture in
Idaho, as represented by 28 monitoring
stations, has exhibited little apparent
change over the past seven years. Trends
indicate improvement in the aesthetics and
amount of solids being discharged in many
of the stream segments. Segments exhib-
iting the greatest improvement are the
Upper and Middle Snake due to the removal
of most of the discharges from potato
processing and the Portneuf River due
to removal of discharges from the City of
Pocatello and the Simplot plant.
Figure 2: Major Streams and Geographical high priority
areas in Idaho
The EPA and DOE will experience signifi-
cant changes in water program priorities for
1982. EPA budgets are being reduced in
many program areas. DOE also exper-
ienced a substantial reduction for FY-82
that will be compounded by the loss or
reduction of EPA grant funds. To attain
the highest level of environmental improve-
ments, the greatest emphasis must be
placed on the most serious problems.
Therefore, EPA and DOE have jointly
defined four high priority geographical
areas where the most significant en-
vironmental problems occur and around
which efforts will be concentrated during
FY-82.
These geographical areas are shown
in Figure 2. The environmental problems
identified in these areas are:
• Rathdrum Prairie - on-site waste dis-
posal systems, increased recreational
lake uses, municipal waste disposal,
drinking water supply, hazardous and
solid waste disposal.
• Lower Boise River - municipal waste
disposal, irrigated agricultural runoff,
on-site waste disposal, industrial
discharges, hazardous and solid waste
disposal.
• Twin Falls Irrigation Tract - irrigated
agricultural runoff, on-site waste
disposal, municipal waste disposal,
hazardous and solid waste disposal.
• South Central Snake River Plain
injection wells, drinking water supply,
hazardous and solid waste, on-site
waste disposal, municipal waste
disposal.
POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION
In Idaho, industries and municipalities
that discharge waste into streams are
required to apply for permits issued by EPA
under the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES). These
permits define the level of pollutants that
can be discharged to Idaho's streams and
still maintain water quality as established
in the standards. However, dueto resource
limitations. EPA does not generally issue
(or re-issue) permits to defined "minor"
dischargers in Idaho. In most other states,
the NPDES programs have been delegated
to state agencies which carry out this
responsibility. Idaho does not qualify for
delegation because of low state penalties
available for enforcement. Through the
NPDES permitting process, point source
pollutants are to be removed to acceptable
levels before wastewater reaches the river.
Problems still exist, however, including
inadequate wastewater treatment, over-
loading of facilities from groundwater
and/or stormwater entering into sewers
and inadequate stream flow it provide
mixing of the effluent from industrial and
municipal wastewater treatment facilities
during the summer periods when water
quality normally is lower. Food processing
industries and mining and ore processing
facilities are other major point sources
requiring improvements.
EPA resources for permitting municipal
and industrial discharges will be about
the same as last year's level, while DOE's
resources will be reduced somewhat. First
priority will be given to issurance and
reissuance of permits and compliance
monitoring in the environmentally
impacted geographic areas. Pre-treatment
programs will be developed in some cities
providing for control of certain industrial
wastes prior to discharge to municipal
treatment systems.
Through the Construction Grants
Program, EPA provides assistance to the
state for the construction of municipal
sewage treatment systems. DOE has been
awarded partial delegation for the Idaho
Municipal Facilities Construction program
and is providing active management of this
program.
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It appears that Idaho may lose up to $9
million in construction grant funds due to a
proposed rescission of FY 80 and 81 funds
which may be approved by Congress. This
program may be funded in the FY-82
Federal budget, but it will be contingent on
Congress passing legislation to reform the
Municipal Facilities Program. DOE will
evaluate their system for establishing
project priorities and will amend it. as
necessary, for consideration of funding
limitations. DOE and EPA will continue
to emphasize the upgrading of municipal
sewage treatment facilities to provide
secondary treatment. To meet Idaho's
Water Quality Standards on some rivers.
treatment beyond secondary may be
required for a few municipal discharges.
EPA is working with both Idaho and
Washington to establish a coordinated
plan for control of nutrients in the Spokane
River in order to meet Washington's water
quality standards.
Operation and maintenance (O&M) of
municipal facilities will continue to be a
priority element of the Municipal Facilities
Construction Program and O&M manual
development and review will be emphasized.
Training programs will be carried out by
Boise State University in cooperation with
DOE.
A program for handling the sludge
produced by the sewage treatment plants
will be considered, since this problem is
increasing and needs to be addressed. The
problem will be evaluated for individual
community and regional solutions.
NON-POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION
Non-point sources of pollution are
generally not easily treated and "best
management practices" (BMPs) must be
developed to achieve control. For example.
agricultural best management practices
might include adequate, controlled waste
storage areas to keep organic wastes from
reaching streams, or contour plowing to
prevent erosion of soil into rivers.
The responsibility for developing
methods 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 approach for controlling non-point
sources of pollution has been through the
'208 planning process.' A number of high
priority pollution problems have been
addressed through this program and
solutions are successfully being im-
plemented. The 208 program has not been
funded for FY-82 and it is doubtful the
program will be revived beyond FY-82.
There are 29 '208 projects' in progress
in Idaho, the last of which are scheduled for
completion in 1 983.
Agriculture continues to be one of the
most significant non-point sources of
water pollution in Idaho. A statewide
agricultural Pollution Abatement Plan
was completed in 1979. This voluntary
program is being implemented primarily
through the 208 planning process in ten
high priority areas: Rock Creek, LQ Drain
and Cedar Draw in Twin Falls County,
Paradise Creek-South Fork Palouse River
and Cow Creek in Latah County. Marsh
Creek in Bannock County, the lower Boise
River in Canyon County, Willow Creek in
Bonneville County. Little Malad River in
Oneida County, and Hangman Creek in
Benewah County.
A project in the Rock. Creek watershed
providing for implementation of BMP's is
being funded through the Rural Clean
Water Program. DOE is in the process of
developing a state program for funding
BMP implementation utilizing the Water
Pollution Control Fund.
Runoff from timber harvesting is also a
major cause of non-point source problems.
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) has
the responsibility for controlling pollution
from logging practices on state and private
lands through the Forest Practices Act.
Activities on Federal lands are the
responsibility of either the Forest Service
or Bureau of land Management. BMPs have
been developed, however, a program to
insure implementation is lacking at the
state level due to inadequate funding. On
Federal land, implementation of BMPs
varies from forest ot forest, and there is no
monitoring to insure that good practices
are utilized. Currently, the only effort being
made is the development of an education/
information program to make timber
harvesting operators aware of the impacts
of poor practices. EPA and the State will
attempt to identify critical areas during
FY-82 and concentrate efforts to control
identified problems within these areas.
Mining activities are another major non-
point source of pollution. DOE will be
working closely with the Noranda and
Cyprus mining companies to minimize water
quality impacts as these operations pro-
gress. Runoff from abandoned and inactive
mining operations, which is difficult and
expensive to control, creates problems in the
South Fork and mam Coeur d'Alene Rivers.
There are also problems due to uncontrolled
discharges and pond leakage. State plans to
rehabilitate the South Fork have been
hampered by lack of funds.
i
DOE and EPA will explore other means
for dealing with non-point source pollution
problems, giving emphasistothose located
in priority geographical areas. Implemen-
tation of existing projects will be given a
high priority. A major effort will be made to
identify sources of funding to provide
incentives for installation of best manage-
ment practices as a means for controlling
excessive runoff and sedimentation from
agricultural lands.
6
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Inland lakes and waterways constitute
one of Idaho's most important recreational
and commercial resources. Lake water
quality in Idaho is among the best in the
nation. Only a few of the major recreational
lakes have significant water quality
problems that impair their recreational
use.
Figure 3 shows the principal recreational
lakes in Idaho and the status ofthe lakes for
various recreational uses.
IDAHO LAKE WATER QUALITY
If a lake is undisturbed by human act-
ivities, it undergoes a natural process of
aging known as eutrophication. Man's
activities, however, may accelerate this
process by introducing nutrients to lake
waters through improper land use and
waste disposal practices. Land use
practices on farm land, forests and con-
struction sites often result in erosion of
nutrient-rich soils into streams feeding
lakes. Significant quantities of nutrients
are also discharged by sewage treatment.
certain industrial plants and runoff from
urban areas, pastures and feedlots.
Water Quality agencies in Idaho are
concerned with the status of Idaho's lakes
because many uses of the lakes and
development around the lakes will affect
the aging process. Highly eutrophic lakes
are characterized by dense algal blooms,
floating mats of vegetation, and a murky
appearance. Algae are found naturally in,
every body of water, butwhen stimulated by
abundant nutrients, sunlight, and warm
temperatures, they rapidly multiply to
become a nuisance to recreational users
and seriously affect water quality for other
uses These nuisances may curtail or even
Figure 3: Principal Recreational Lakes in Idaho and a rating of their condition
NAME
Brownlee Res.
American Falls Res.
Wilson Lake
Lake Walcott
Portneuf Res.
William Lk./Lemhi Co.
Crane Creek Res.
Lake Lowell
Lower Granite Res.
Oxbow Res.
Hell's Canyon Res.
Paddock Valley Res.
Fernan Lake
Chatcolet Lake
Cascade Res.
Henry's Lake
Island Park Res.
Magic Res.
Twin Lakes/Kootenai Co.
Cocolalla Lake
Salmon Falls Cr. Res.
Lower Goose Cr Res.
Fish Cr. Res.
Lost Valley Res.
Palisades Res.
Upper Payette Lk.
Dworshak Res.
Sage Hen Res.
Anderson Ranch Res.
Alturas Lake
Lucky Peak Res.
Arrowrock Res.
Priest Lake
Lake Pend Oreille
Lake Coeur d'Alene
Hayden Lake
Payette Lake
Deadwood Res.
Redfish Lake
Bear Lake
Spirit Lake
Upper Priest Lake
Bulltrout Lake
Mackay Reservoir
Little Camas Res.
Little Wood Res.
SURFACE
AREA
(ACRES)
15.0001
56.000J
6001
12.0001
1.5001
2001
1,000
9.6001
8.9001
1.500
2.500
1,000
300
600
30,000
2.500
7,000
1.800
850
800
1,500
1,000
250
800
16,000
500
17.000
300
4,000
1.200
2.800
4,000
24,000
94,000
30,000
4.000
1.000
3,000
1,500
25,000
1,300
5.000
900
1.000
1,000
600
CAUSE OF PROBLEM
Upstream Sources
Natural/Agnc. Nonpomt/
Municipal/Industrial Pt. Sources
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Agncultrual Runoff
Recreational Impacts
Natural/Agric. Runoff
Agricultural Runoff
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Natural/Agric. Runoff
Septic Tanks/Agnc. Runoff
Agricultural Runoff
Agric. Runoff/Munic. Pt. Source
Recreational Impacts
Septic Tanks/Natural Runoff
Agric. Runoff/Munic. Pt. Sources
Septic Tanks/Agnc. Runoff
Agric. Runoff/Rec. Impacts
D Condition Good
M Moderate Problem
HI Significant Problem
E3 Status Unknown
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eliminate recreational activities (such as
swimming, boating and fishing), impart
tastes and odors to water supplies, and
cause toxic conditions which adversely
affect other aquatic life in the lakes. For
example, when sufficient quanitities of
these aquatic plants die. the decaying
process may consume quantities of dis-
solved oxygen sufficient to kill fish and
other aquatic life. The recreational use of
lakes in itself can affect water quality.
Power boats create waves that erode banks,
contributing sediment, nutrients, and
muddy water. They also release mixtures
of oil and gasoline and associated con-
taminants to the water. Removal of
vegetation along shorelines to enhance
public access can also lead to erosion.
Most major impairments of the principal
lakes in Idaho appear to be due to algal
blooms stimulated by nutrients from agri-
cultural runoff and septic tanks. Runoff from
agricultural non-point sources entering the
Snake River upstream of Oxbow and
Brownlee Reservoirs has degraded those
two water bodies. Lake Lowell, an off-stream
reservoir near Boise, receives heavy re-
creational use by residents of the Boise
Valley. Excessive algal growth in the summer
impairs such use. The conditions are
primarily due to nutrients from summer
inflows from agricultural non-point sources
and the large waterfowl population which
utilizes the lake. However, because of the
significant impact due to waterfowl, control
of the agricultural sources of nutrients may
not achieve a solution to this problem.
Figure 3 (cont.): Principal Recreational Lakes in Idaho.
Hells Canyon Res
Lost Valley Res
Upper Payetie Lake
Payetie Lake
0«bow Res
The water quality of American Falls
Reservoir is affected by nutrients from
dryland and irrigated agriculture, winter
discharges of treated sewage effluents
from Pocatello, phosphate deposits in the
soils and from many springs in the area.
Wastewater from the Pocatello Simplot
plants and summer discharges from the
Pocatello sewage treatment plant have
been removed from the Portneuf River,
which flows into the American Falls
Reservoir.
Many of the lakes in the Panhandle area
of Northern Idaho are presently of high
quality. However, development around the
lakes is increasing and the lakes are exten-
sively used for recreation. Some of the
lakes are showing signs of degradation. In
order to protect these valuable resources.
lake shore management plans are being
developed to insure that development
occurs with minimal impacts on lake water
quality.
Federal funding to deal with lake water
quality problems has been through the 208
and Clean Lakes programs. Idaho presently
has two Clean Lakes grants, one to do a lake
classification analysis to determine the
trophic status of Idaho's lakes and the other
to study pollution sources and to develop a
protection plan for Bear Lake. The Clean
Lakes program also is not budgeted for
1982. Without Federal funding or in-
creased State funds, little progress may
be made in improving degraded lake water
quality.
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DRINKING WATER QUALITY
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM PROGRAM
The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed m
1 974, gave EPA primary responsibility for
establishing drinking water standards and
assuring national program consistency,
but intended that the states implement
programs ensuring that public water
systems are in compliance with standards
Idaho has assumed primary responsibility
for working with public water systems to
implement drinking water standards.
Emphasis has been placed on voluntary
compliance with the National Interim
Primary Drinking Water Regulations, but
when voluntary efforts fail, more formal
enforcement procedures have been
pursued.
The re is concern by water quality agencies
that current Idaho rules and regulations
governing subsurface sewage disposal may
not prevent unacceptable pollution of
drinking water sources and health hazards
in the populated areas in Southwest Boise
(Ada County) and over the Snake Plain and
Rathdrum aquifers
In most cases contamination of a water
supply system is due to bacteria. Disease
may result from consuming small quan-
tities of contaminated water The national
drinking water standards address treated
water quality characteristics, as measured
by periodic tests. EPA recognizes that
these are minimum standards and are not
adequate m themselves to protect public
health. Therefore, EPA encourages states
to implement comprehensive programs
that go beyond addressing only finished
water quality.
The primary means to assure safe
drinking water is for public water systems
to have properly operated, well-maintained
adequately designed facilities. That means
a major part of a state's program is evalu-
ation of facility design and inspection of
water systems to determine facility defi-
ciencies which can create health hazards.
Approximately one-fourth of the water
supplies in Northern Idaho are not meeting
minimum state monitoring requirements,
or have never been inspected by the state.
The drinking water program is funded
with state monies and EPA grant monies
made available to IDHW. The state will
maintain the drinking water program to
provide the maximum level of public pro-
tection that resources allow. First priority
will be to ensure that drinking water
systems violating the maximum contami-
nation levels for bacteria, chemical, radio-
chemical and turbidity contaminants are
serveyed and the problems corrected.
Public notification when drinking water
maximum containment levels are violated
will also receive major emphasis. If IDHW
should lose existing District Health Depart-
ment support due to inadequate Federal
funding support, less emphasis will be
given to non-community public water
systems and fewer public water supply
system sanitary surveys may be conducted.
GROUNDWATER PROTECTION
The Safe Drinking Water Act also estab-
lished a program to protect underground
sources of drinking water. EPA's role is to
develop national Underground Injection
Control (UIC) regulations, provide over-
sight and ensure national program con-
sistency. Congress intended for the states
to implement the UIC program and that EPA
would list the states needing the program.
Idaho, although not initially listed, peti-
tioned to be included in the UIC listing.
EPA awarded UIC grants to Idaho (Depart-
ment of Water Resources) m 1 979, and
those grants continued in 1 980 and 1981.
Idaho is using developmental grant funds
to collect background data on aquifers,
inventory injection wells and evaluate
the adequacy of state laws and regulations.
The Idaho Department of Water Resources
in cooperation with DOE is working to
attain delegation of the UIC program,
which would provide protection against
groundwater degradation through re-
gulation of injected fluids.
A surface impoundment assessment
(pits, ponds and lagoons) has been com-
pleted by the University of Idaho. While
the study indicates there is potential for
contamination of groundwater by im-
poundments, few actual cases of ground-
water contamination have been docu-
mented.
'Sole source aquifer designation' is
another feature of the groundwater
protection program, m which an aquifer
may be designated as the only source of
drinking water for a particular area. Idaho
entered into its first full year of imple-
menting protective activities within the
Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.
This aquifer, first designated a sole source
aquifer in 1978, provides drinking water
for about 40,000 Idaho residents and
300,000 Washington residents in the
Coeur d'Alene and Spokane areas. The
designation prohibits any Federal agency
from financially assisting any project which
EPA determines may contaminate this
important aquifer.
Where the re is rapid development in rural
areas that affects vital groundwater
systems, DOE and EPA have been helping
local agencies develop managment plans
to prevent degradation. The Panhandle
Health District adopted and is imple-
menting regulations for sewage disposal
over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer EPA is
encouraging Spokane County to adopt
similar regulations. Ada Planning Asso-
ciation is finalizing a wastewater manage-
ment plan to prevent groundwater de-
gradation in Southwest Ada County and
the Southeast Idaho Council of Govern-
ments has developed a plan addressing
prevention of groundwater degradation
in Bingham County. The District Seven
Health Department is developing a plan
to prevent contamination of the Snake
River Aquifer in the six counties making up
its district
The importance of protecting ground-
water resources is recognized by DOE
and EPA, and EPA will continue to provide
grant support to IDWR for development
of an underground injection control
program. However, 208 grant funds for
planning to protect against other sources
of groundwater degradation will be dis-
continued due to the phase out of monies
for this program. DOE is developing a
groundwater management plan that will
establish a groundwater pollution control/
protection strategy and will define steps
needed to implement this stratedgy.
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SOLID WASTE AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Scarcity of land for waste disposal.
concern about limited resources and
health hazards arising from improper
disposal of hazardous wastes prompted
Congress to pass the Resource Conser-
vation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1976.
The act requires that Federal criteria be
established for evaluating land disposal
operations nationwide.
In the past, many municipal landfills
could often be described as little more
than open dumps. Progress has been made
in identifying these dumps, however, the
inventory to classify disposal sites is not
yet complete.
Open burning of wastes has been ver-
tually eliminated in Idaho, but environ-
mental problems related to improper
disposal of municipal solid wastes remain.
with water pollution being a major concern.
Rainwater draining over a fill and filtering
into the ground through the wastes will
carry harmful chemicals and bacteria into
steams and groundwater, which can then
pose a threat to drinking water supplies.
Other problems are related to waste
disposal. For example, when garbage
decomposes, methane gas is produced as a
by-product. Methane is toxic to vege-
tation and is explosive in certain con-
centrations. Decomposition can produce
odors and may attract disease-carrying
rodents and insects. Proper disposal with
daily cover and proper compaction will
reduce many of these problems.
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RESOURCE RECOVERY
RCRA provides financial assistance to
state waste management authorities to
develop and implement comprehensive
solid waste plans, including environ-
mentally sound disposal methods and
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" or burned to create
steam or electricity.
Figure 5 shows the location of operating
chemical landfills and recycling facilities
and potential energy recovery facilities in
Idaho.
Boise is studying the feasibility of con-
verting waste to energy. The economics
of recycled materials are typically very
good in other areas, but recycling pro-
grams in Idaho suffer from high transpor-
tation costs and small volumes.
Other wastes with a potential for recovery
include tires, lubricating oil and wood
waste, which present serious disposal
problems. Discarded tires gradually work
to the surface in a landfill, where they
trap water, become a breeding place for
mosquitoes and pose a fire hazard Waste
lubricating oil is used on roads as a dust
suppressant, but can contaminate air and
water. And lead in the oil makes indis-
criminate burning or disposal undesirable.
Wood waste, which can pollute water
resources and consume significant space
in landfills, is presently being used to
produce steam in several Idahotimbermills
and utilities, and may be used with refuse
derived fuel.
Figure 5: Location of Hazardous Waste and Resource Recovery Facilities in Idaho
OPERATING CHEMICAL LAND FILLS
ENERGY RECOVERY PLANT FEASIBILITY
STUDY UNDERWAY
LOCALITY WHERE RECYCLING FACILITY
AVAILABLE (MORE THAN ONE TYPE
HOUSEHOLD WASTE-GLASS, PAPER
ALUMINUM, ETC.)
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AIR QUALITY
Air Quality Standards - History and Definition
The Clean Air Act of 1970 directed EPA
to establish National Ambient Air Quality
Standards ("ambient" refers to outdoor
rat her than indoor conditions) and in 1977,
amendments to the Act required that the
standards be met as soon as possible and
practical. In the case of primary (health-
related) standards, the new deadline is
December 31. 1982 The Act required
that all states adopt implementation plans,
now commonly referred to as State Imple-
mentation Plans or SIP's which provided
for implementation, maintenance and
enforcement of these standards. Under
certain conditions an extension to
December 31, 1987. can be granted for
carbon monoxide and ozone. The Clean
Air Act is currently under review by Con-
gress and it is expected that significant
amendments will be made to the Act
The more highly concentrated a pollu-
tant, the worse its effect on humans and
their environment. Because some pollu-
tants 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 secondary stand-
ards have detrimental impacts on the
public welfare and cause deterioration
of many consumer products. Exceeding
primary standards poses a threat to public
health. If the polluntant concentration
reaches the alert level, individuals, industry
and government should curtail outdoor
activities, use of automobiles and certain
industrial operations.
Figure 6: Air Quality Status of Existing polutants excluding
the air quality standards in Idaho.
© TSP alert and S02 Primary levels exceeded
© TSP and S02 Primary levels exceeded
© CO alert level exceeded
D TSP standard exceeded or considered
to be exceeded due to fugitive dust.
Federal standards have been set for six
major pollutants: Total Suspended Part-
iculates (TSP), Sulfur Dioxide (SCh). Carbon
Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O), Nitrogen
Dioxide (N02) and lead. Pollutants moni-
tored in Idaho are TSP. S02, lead and CO.
N02, photochemical oxidants and hydro-
carbons are not being monitored at this
time. N02 monitoring in Boise has been
held in abeyance while the best location for
monitoring is being decided upon. The
levels measured in the past were about 35
percent of the ambient air quality standard.
The most serious air pollution problems in
Idaho are due to TSP, S02, lead and CO
concentrations in excess of the standards.
Table 2 lists the effects on health and
property that normally result when the
Federal standards are exceeded. Figure 6
shows the areas in Idaho where the Air
Quality Standards are exceeded.
Areas within Idaho where source
emissions, combined with influencing
weather conditions, cause air quality
standards to be exceeded have been
designated "non-attainment" All other
areas are classified as "attainment" The
original determination of non-attainment
was based on data for 1 965 through 1977.
Areas presently classified 'attainment may
have exceeded the standards during 1 979
and are also illustrated in this report
Beginning July 1, 1981, EPA will have the
responsibility of maintaining the program
for air quality in Idaho3. EPA is presently
evaluating the resources available for
establishing an air program. The EPA
program will emphasis maintaining an
effective ambient air monitoring system and
a basic program for protecting public health.
3The 1981 Idaho Legislature did not
continue funding for the Idaho Air Quality
Program beyond June 30, 1981.
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TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES
Suspended particulates are solid or
liquid particles of different sizes having
health effects that vary with particle size
and composition. Particulates can aggra-
vate asthma and chronic lung diseases;
they increase coughing and chest discom-
fort. Some particulates can be toxic or
cancer-causing (lead or asbestos particles.
for example). Paniculate pollution may
interfere with visibility, injure vegetation
and increase building cleaning and main-
tenance costs.
Suspended paniculate matter is a
widespread problem throughout the
Northwest. Some paniculate emissions
come from 'point sources', which are easily
identified stationary industrial sources
of emissions such as smokestacks. The
rest, which cannot be pinpointed to a
specific source, are 'area sources', such as
space heating (resident and commercial
heating units) and fugitive dust. Fugitive
dust can be created by industrial and agri-
cultural operations and by vehicles on
paved as well as unpaved roads. In areas
with little major industrial development
and low population density, fugitive dust
is composed mostly of natural soil particles
and is believed to be less harmful to the
health. For this reason, many areas are
considered to be attaining air quality
standards even though paniculate stand-
ards are exceeded. Data from these areas
show the percentage of samples that
exceeded standards based upon the
number of days monitored. (Paniculate
samples are routinely collected once every
six days).
The major point sources of total sus-
pended particulates in the Pocatello and
Conda-Soda Springs areas, are fertilizer
and industrial chemical processors. In the
latter area, fugitive dust from roads and
fields also contributes to TSP levels in
excess of standards. In Lewiston. the wood
products industry and a kraft pulp mill are
the chief point sources. In the Kellogg
area, the Bunker Hill Company's smelting
operation is a major source of TSP.
In these four areas, where the ambient air
quality standards are being violated, EPA
will continue to develop state imple-
mentation plan revisions.
Paniculate control devices such as bag-
houses, electrostatic precipitators and
scrubbers have been installed on many
industrial sources, and some plants are
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 gradual due to the high
cost of control.
Although most of the industries that
produce significant amounts of parti-
culates have installed required control
devices, particulate problems, especially
those resulting from area sources arid poor
operation of control equipment, still
remain.
SULFUR DIOXIDE
Sulfur dioxide is formed when coal or oil
containing sulfur is burned, or when sulfur
is burned in an industrial process. Breath-
ing air containing sulfur dioxide can
produce health effects similar to those for
suspended particulates. When sulfur
dioxide combines with moisture in the air
to form acidic mist and rain, it can pose
an increased health hazard. In addition, it
corrodes buildings, is harmful to vege-
tation and can deteriorate the water
quality of lakes and streams far from the
source of the pollutant. There are three
areas in Idaho where the sulfur dioxide
standards have been exceeded.
The principal cause of the sulfur dioxide
violations is due to the smelting of non-
ferrous ores (lead and zinc) and the manu-
facture of phosphate fertilizer. In Kellogg.
where the Bunker Hill Company smelts and
refines lead and zinc, the rugged terrain
of Silver Valley inhibits adequate disper-
sion of sulfur dioxide, although the plant's
two 700-foot stacks have improved the
situation. However, during frequent
thermal inversions, the plant must foilow
a set of procedures to reduce or discon-
tinue production to keep sulfur dioxide
levels within the standards. The Bunker
Hill Company will conduct further studies
to determine where maximum sulfur dio-
xide concentrations occur. The results of
these studies will provide the information
necessary to improve Bunker Hill's dis-
persion program to meet ambient stand-
ards until additional controls are installed.
The major source of sulfur dioxide in the
Pocatello area is a J. R. Simplot plant, which
produces fertilizers and industrial chemi-
cals. The company is installing controls
that should reduce their emissions by 25
percent. The Beker Industry's phosphate
fertilizer plant near Soda Springs is the
major source of sulfur dioxide in that area
primary sources are two sulfuric acid
plants, both of which operate in com-
pliance with applicable emission regula-
tions when their control equipment is
functioning properly.
EPA will continue with the development
of state implementation plan revisions
for each of these non-attainment areas.
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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, oder-
less. tasteless gas - high concentrations
can cause unconsciousness or even death
At concentrations above the primary
standard, this pollutant can interfere with
mental alertness and physical activity.
esoecially for persons with heart or lung
disorders Carbon monoxide is a by-
product of fossil fuels combustion. Its
major source is motor vehicles, and the
most severe violations of standards are
recorded where automobiles are con-
centrated - in urban areas. Boise exceeded
the primarv standard level of carbon
monoxide about 1 5 percent of the time
and the 'alert level' once during a 339-day
study of the city's air.
The EPA is working closely with Boise
City and Ada County to develop a program
to reduce carbon monoxide below the
ambient standard. Legislation that would
have allowed the enforcement of a vehicle
emissions inspection/maintenance (I/M)
CARBON MONOXIDE
program to be tied in with auto registration
in Ada County did not pass the 1 981
Legislature. Alternative enforcement
options are presently being evaluated. An
inspection/maintenance program will be
one of the control measures included in the
1982 Transportation Control Plan.
Implementation of this plan is to result
in attainment of the CO Standard by 1 987.
Motor vehicles are responsible for about
90 percent of the CO emissions; therefore.
plans for reducing such emissions center
on improvements to automobiles and to the
transportation system as a whole. As older
cars are replaced by models with up-to-
date pollution control equipment, CO levels
should decline Regular vehicle inspection
and maintenance will ensure that emission
control devices are functioning effectively.
Other measures for mitigating the problem
are based upon reducing vehicle miles
traveled, traffic flow improvements, transit
improvements, carpooling, bike lanes and
parking management.
CO problems are compounded by
adverse climate conditions. During the
winter months, extreme stable inversions
develop which severely inhibit the disper-
sion of pollutants resulting in high
pollutant concentrations. Also, it is difficult
to maintain efficient combustion processes
in cold weather. Automobiles take longer
to warm-up and emit substantially more
air pollutants that at warmer ambient
temperatures; carbon monoxide emissions
during engine warm-up may account for up
to 65 percent of the total vehicle emissions
produced, depending upon the size of the
engine. Therefore, maintaining a warm
engine or reducing average engine size
may be effective in reducing cold-start
emissions. The proposed low temperature
emissions standard should help alleviate
the cold-engine, cold weather problem.
Table 2: Effects of Major Air Pollutants on Health and Property
POLLUTANT
HEALTH EFFECTS
Total
Suspended
Particulates
Sulfur Dioxide
PROPERTY EFFECTS
Carbon Monoxide
Ozone
Nitrogen Dioxide
Lead
Correlated with increased
bronchial and respiratory disease,
especially in young and elderly.
Upper respiratory irritation at low
concentrations; more difficult
breathing at moderate
concentrations (3000 ug/m^),
correlated with increased cardio-
respiratory disease; acute lung
damage at high concentrations.
Physiological stress in heart
patients; impairment of psycho-
motor functions; dizziness and
headaches at lower concentra-
tions; 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.
Primary concern with young
children. Most pronounced effects
on nervous system (damage may
occur at low levels), kidney
system, and blood forming system
(high levels may have severe and
sometimes fatal consequences
such as brain disease, palsy, and
anemia). Blood levels >30mg/
deciliter are associated with an
impairment in cell function.
Corrodes metals and concrete;
discolors surfaces; soils exposed
materials; decreases visibility.
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 metals; damages
vegetation.
Corrodes metal surfaces;
deteriorates rubber, fabrics, and
dyes.
Injures plants through absorption
of soil. Affects nervous system of
grazing animals.
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LEAD
In 1 978, EPA established an air quality
standard for lead, which is to be achieved
by November. 1 982 The State has been
and EPA will continue gathering data to
identify areas where the standard is being
exceeded.
Violations of the lead standard have
occurred m the Kellogg area where the
ma|or sources are the Bunker Hill Com-
pany's lead smelter and general areawide
contamination resulting from 60 years of
milling and smelting operations
The EPA will continue to develop a re-
vision to the state implementation plan
for control of lead emissions from Bunker
Hill in Silver Valley, in North Idaho
15
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QUESTIONNAIRE
What are your views on Idaho's environmental problems?
1. What are the five environmental problems in Idaho of most concern to you?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2. Are IDHW/DOE and EPA directing resources in the best manner to get the most return in environmental clean-
up for the resources available? If not. how should the emphasis be changed?
3. Should more effort be directed at high priority geographical problem areas?
4. Do you agree with the four high priority geographical areas identified in the Profile?
Yes No
Rathdrum Prairie
Lower Boise River __
Twin Falls Irrigation Tract __
South Central Snake River Plain
What other high priority geographical areas should be considered?
5. Has this Profile been helpful in your understanding of environmental problems in Idaho and what is being
done to solve them? If not, how can it be changed
Return to: Elva Work
IDHW/DOE
Statehouse
Boise. Idaho 83720
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