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K Idaho
Environmental
Quality Profile
1983
State of Idaho
Department of Health & Welfare
Division of Environment
450 W. State St.
Boise, ID 83720
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface -- Hi
Air Quality 1
Total Suspended Particulates 4
Sulfur Dioxide 6
Lead 7
Carbon Monoxide 7
Hazardous Materials 8
Hazardous Waste 8
Resource Recovery 10
Solid Waste 11
Radiation Control 14
Vector Control 16
Water Quality 17
Quality of Idaho's Principal Rivers 18
Bear River Basin -- 19
Upper Snake River Basin 20
Southwest Basin 21
Salmon River 21
Clearwater River Basin 22
Panhandle Basin 22
Quality of Idaho's Lakes 23
Point Source Pollution 25
Nonpoint Source Pollution 26
Drinking Water 29
Groundwater Protection 30
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PREFACE
Pollution control programs in Idaho are administered
through the joint efforts of the Idaho Department of
Health and Welfare and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency. The State/EPA Agreement is a contrac-
tual document developed each fiscal year by the two
agencies to outline work the Division of Environment and
the Environmental Protection Agency will perform, part
of which is supported by federal dollars.
This Profile is our way of providing the public with a
current assessment of environmental problems in Idaho
and giving interested Idaho citizens the opportunity to
provide guidance in the planning process for the FY 85
State/EPA Agreement (October 1984 through September 1985),
We are interested in knowing if there are environmental
problems of a higher priority than those described in
this report. If you feel there are, please supply us
with sufficient information to be considered in the
planning process. Some questions that should be answered
are:
- What are the most serious environmental quality
Problems in Idaho?
- Where should we be directing our declining
resources for environmental cleanup?
- Are there better methods for tackling these
environmental problems?
- Do we need to place more emphasis on specific
geographical environmental problems areas? If
so, where?
Please direct any comments, concerns or questions to:
Dr. Lee Stokes, Administrator
Division of Environment
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Statehouse
Boise, Idaho 83720
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AIR QUALITY
The 1970 Clean Air Act directed EPA to establish National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (ambient refers to outdoor rather than
indoor conditions). The Act called for primary standards to
protect public health and secondary standards to protect public
welfare from the adverse effects of air pollution. These stan-
dards as they currently exist are shown in Table 1.
Table 1.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (1)
Pollutant
Sulfur Dioxide (502)
Annual Arithmetic Mean
24-hour Max 1 muni (3)
3-hour Maximum (3)
Total Suspended Partlculates (TSP)
Annual Geometric Mean
24-hour Maximum (3)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
8-hour Maximum (3)
1-hour Maximum (3)
Ozone (Ox)
Maximum Hourly Average (5)
Nitrogen Dioxide (N02)
Annual Arithmetic Mean
Lead (Pb)
Maximum Arithmetic Mean
per Calendar Quarter
Primary Standard (2)
80 ug/M3,(0.03ppm)
365 ug/M3 (0.14ppm)
No Standard
75 ug/M3
260 ug/MJ
10mg/M3 (9ppm)
40mg/M3 (35ppm)
235 ug/M3 (0.12ppm)
100 ug/M3 (O.OSppm)
1.5-ug/M3
Secondary Standard (2)
No Standard
No Standard
1300 ug/M3 (O.Sppm)
60 ug/M3
150 ug/M
Same as primary
Same as primary
Same as primary
Same as primary
Same as primary
(1) Promulgated, by EPA in yitle 40, CPU. Part SO.
(2) Abbreviations: ug/M^ means micrograma per cubic meter
mg/fT means milligrams per cubic meter
ppm means parts per million
(3) Hot to be exceeded more than once per year
(4) As a guide to be used in assessing implementation plane to achieve the 24-hour standard.
(S) The standard is attained when the expected number of days per calendar year with maximum
hourly average concentrations above O.lZppm is equal to or less than one.
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Table 2 lists the effects on health and property when these
standards are exceeded. Once standards were set, each state
was required by the Act to develop a State Implementation
Plan (SIP) which contained all necessary elements to provide
attainment and maintenance of the ambient standards by July
1975.
Table 2.
Effects of Major Air Pollutants on Health and Property
Pollutant
Total Suspended
Participates
Sulfur Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Ozone
Nitrogen Dioxide
Lead
Health Effects
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/M3), correlated with
Increased cardlo-resplratory disease;
acute lung damage at high concentra-
tions.
Physiological stress In heart
patients; Impairment of psycho-
motor functions; dizziness and
headaches at lower concentrations;
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/dec1Hter are associated
with an Impairment In cell function.
Property Effects
Corrodes metals and concrete; discolors
surfaces; soils exposed materials;
decreases visibility.
Corrodes and deteriorates steel, marble,
copper, nickel, aluminum, and building
materials; causes'brlttleness In paper
and loss of strength In leather; deteri-
orates 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.
In 1977, Congress responded to the fact that many areas of the
country were still violating ambient standards. It amended the
Act to require new plans to meet a new attainment deadline of
December 31, 1982. The Act also allowed an extension of 5 years
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for carbon monoxide or ozone nonattainment areas when certain
conditions were met. Congress also added some sanctions for
nonperformance. Though there is considerable legal disagree-
ment as to what conditions trigger each sanction, it is clear
that sanctions could include a construction ban on new major
sources of a pollutant for which an area is not meeting the
ambient standard and restrictions on federal funding for
transportation projects, air pollution control programs and
sewage treatment plants.
Since formal designation of national nonattainment areas by
EPA in 1978, Idaho has made remarkable progress in improving
air quality in its seven nonattainment areas. As shown in
Table 3, there are now only four nonattainment areas and of
that total, the State believes there are now sufficient
monitoring data to redesignate one of those areas to attain-
ment and greatly reduce the size of two other areas.
Table 3.
Improvement of Nonattainment Areas 1n Idaho
Locations
Silver Valley
Lewiston
Boise
Pocatello
Soda Springs
1973
TSP, S02 and Lead (1)
TSP
CO
TSP and S02
TSP
1982
TSP(2)
CO
TSP(3)
TSP(4)
(1) EPA never formally designated lead nonattainment areas
but this area exceeded the lead standard.
(2) 21 months' monitoring data now exist to support
redesignating this area to attainment (24 months
of data are needed).
(3) The State has proposed that EPA reduce the size of this
area from 336 to 12 square miles.
(4) The State has proposed that EPA reduce the size of this
area from 96 to 4.S square miles.
The State is concerned that certain areas still experience
periods when health-based standards are not being met. Accord-
ingly, efforts to improve air quality in these areas will receive
the highest priority. The State will also work cooperatively
with EPA to avoid the imposition of sanctions that would be
punitive and counterproductive to the protection of public
health and welfare-
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Total Suspended Particulates
Suspended particulates
different sizes having
size and composition.
chronic lung diseases;
are solid or liquid particles of
health effects that vary with particle
Particulates can aggravate asthma and
they increase coughing and chest
discomfort. Some particulates can be toxic or cancer-
causing (lead or asbestos particles, for example). Parti-
culate pollution may interfere with visibility, injure
vegetation and increase building cleaning and maintenance
costs .
Suspended particulate matter is a widespread problem through-
out the Northwest. Some particulate emissions come from
point sources, which are easily identified stationary
industrial sources
rest, which cannot
area sources, such
heating units) and
created by industrial and
vehicles on paved as well
of emission such as smokestacks. The
be pinpointed to a specific source, are
as space heating (resident and commercial
fugitive dust. Fugitive dust can be
agricultural operations and be
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 particulate standards are
not being met.
Emissions prior to installation of control equipment
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Particulate 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 modi-
fied and new facilities are constructed, the best technology
available to control suspended particulates will be required.
Although most of the industries that produce significant
amounts of particulates have installed required control
devices, particulate problems, especially those resulting
from area sources and poor operation of control equipment,
still remain.
Control of fugitive dust is more difficult to achieve. Paving
roads and parking areas can help, as well as improved house-
keeping in industrial areas (such as covering hoppers and
conveyor belts or other equipment transporting raw materials).
Construction sites can be wetted down to reduce dust. It is
expected that reduction of fugitive dust will be gradual due
to the high cost of control.
Ada Planning Association has expressed interest in obtaining
more specific information on residential wood combustion- and
its effect on the particulate problem in the Boise Valley.
The State is working with Boise State University to assess
present and future useage of wood stoves and fireplaces in
the Valley and will monitor neighborhood exposure to several
air contaminants associated with wood combustion.
Though emissions from the open burning of agricultural fields
in Idaho have not been linked to measured levels of TSP in the
ambient air, public complaints indicate it is perceived as a
problem. The State will continue to improve the Smoke Manage-
ment Program to minimize the impact of smoke on sensitive
areas. This process will involve growers, agricultural experts
and the public. The State will also modify its monitoring
network following development of EPA's inhalable particulate
standard and sampling method.
There are three areas in Idaho that are currently designated
as nonattainment for TSP: Lewiston, Pocatello, and Soda
Springs. However, based upon the last 21 months of monitoring
data showing no standard violations in Lewiston, and if there
are no violations in the next 3 months, the State will propose
that EPA redesignate that area to attainment. The State has
already proposed that EPA reduce the size of the Pocatello
nonattainment area from 336 to 12 square miles and Soda Springs
nonattainment area from 96 to 4% square miles. These three
proposed changes reflect improved air quality associated with
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actual emission reductions from industrial point and fugitive
sources and not just decreased production due to recent econ-
omic slowdown.
In these three areas where the ambient air quality standards
are being violated, the State will continue to develop SIP
revisions to improve air quality while allowing economic
growth and recovery.
Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is formed when coal or oil containing sulfur
is burned, or when sulfur is burned in an industrial process.
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
vegetation and can deteriorate the water quality of lakes
and streams far from the source of the pollutant. The
principal source of sulfur dioxide emissions in the State
has been smelting of non-ferrous ores (lead and zinc) and
the production of sulfuric acid for the phosphate fertilizer
industry. There are currently no areas in Idaho where the
sulfur dioxide standards are being violated.
In Kellogg, where the Bunker Hill Mining and Smelting Complex
previously operated, rugged terrain of the Silver Valley
inhibited adequate dispersion of sulfur dioxide.
Since curtailment of operation in October 1981, monitored
levels of sulfur dioxide have dropped well below primary
standards. However, this area was redesignated to unclassi-
fiable until the status of the Bunker Hill facilities is
better known.
The major source of sulfur dioxide in the Pocatello area is
a J. R. Simplot plant which produces fertilizers and indus-
trial chemicals. The company has installed controls that
reduce their emissions by 25 percent. This reduction has
improved air quality sufficiently to meet the national
standards. As a result EPA redesignated the Pocatello S02
area to attainment.
Beker Industry's phosphate fertilizer plant near Soda Springs
is the major source of sulfur dioxide in that area. To
assure that national standards are not violated, S02 emissions
from Beker's two sulfuric acid plants are subject to limits
of a compliance order.
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Lead
In 1978, EPA established an air quality standard for lead,
which was to be achieved by November 1982. The State has
been gathering data to identify areas where the standard is
being exceeded. Currently, no area of the State violates
the national lead standard.
Violations of the lead standard have occurred in the Kellogg
area where the major sources are the Bunker Hill lead smelter
and general areawide contamination resulting from 60 years of
milling and smelting operations. However, operation of the
lead smelter was curtailed in October 1981. Following the
curtailment, monitored levels of lead dropped sharply below
the primary standard. Though it is obvious that emissions
of lead and TSP from the smelter have ceased, it has been
necessary to continue monitoring through the drier summer and
fall months to determine the impact of fugitive dust on levels
of lead in the Silver Valley.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, 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, especially
for persons with heart or lung disorders. Carbon monoxide is a
byproduct of fossil fuels combustion. Its major source is motor
vehicles, and the most severe violations of standards are recor-
ded where automobiles are concentrated in urban areas.
CO problems are compounded by adverse climate conditions. During
the winter months, extreme inversions develop which severely
inhibit the dispersion 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 than 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.
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 transpor-
tation system as a whole. As older cars are replaced by
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models with up-to-date pollution control equipment, CO
levels should decline. Regular vehicle inspection and main-
tenance will ensure that emission control devices are function-
ing effectively.
An I/M program was included in the 1982 Transportation Control
Plan. Implementation of this plan is expected to result in
attainment of the CO standard by 1987. Other measures for
mitigating some form of the problem are based upon reducing
the number and length of vehicle trips, traffic flow improve-
ments, transit improvements, increased carpooling and parking
management. The local strategy of encouraging multipurpose
trips when possible will also help reduce this problem.
Ada County exceeds the primary standard for carbon monoxide.
However, since legislation that would have allowed the State
enforcement of a vehicle emissions imspection/maintenance
(I/M) program did not pass, the primary responsibility to
develop a program to reduce carbon monoxide below ambient
standards rests with the Ada Planning Association. In response,
City and County officials passed respective ordinances that will
call for a mandatory I/M program in July 1984.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Improper storage, collection, transportation, treatment and
disposal of solid and hazardous waste are cause for concern.
Some concerns are:
- public health hazards can develop,
- land for disposal sites is becoming scarce, and
- resources and energy can be lost when materials are
disposed of rather than recycled.
Hazardous Waste
The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of
1976 provides a mechanism by which Idaho can gain authority
to completely manage hazardous waste activities within its
borders (primacy). The state has continued to inspect and
consult with hazardous waste generators, transporters, treaters
and disposers since the federal regulatory program began, but
full state primacy, including enforcement authority, has yet
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to be obtained. A major step in the process to obtain primacy
was the passage of the "Hazardous Waste Managemement Act of
1983" by the Idaho Legislature. That action allows the
State to continue efforts to gain complete authorization,
which is expected by January 1985. Meanwhile, the program
will continue under a cooperative agreement with the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency.
In addition to hazardous wastes being regulated by the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) controls handling and disposal
of PCB's and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA) controls the use of pesticides used in Idaho Agri-
culture.
Idaho is involved with the Comprehensive Environmental Res-
ponse Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly
known as "Superfund". Under this Act there is provision
for a National Priorities List (NPL) which is a listing of
hazardous waste sites where known releases of hazardous
wastes have occurred or are threatened. At least the 400
top priority sites for response action are to be designated,
by law, as the top priority sites. Idaho currently has two
on the "400 list": Bunker Hill Mining at Smelterville and
Arrcom (Drexler Enterprises) at Rathdrum. Two other sites,
Pacific Hide and Fur Recycling Company and Union Pacific
Railroad Company, both at Pocatello, have been recommended
for inclusion on the NPL.
Adequate disposal capacity for authorized generators exists
at two commercial disposal facilities located in rural Owyhee
County. These sites receive wastes from Idaho sources as
well as large volumes of wastes from sources outside the
state. These are geologically secure sites in an arid
climate and are not near major population centers.
Potential problems will remain, however, for presently
unregulated small quantity generators who normally use
municipal landfills for waste disposal. There have been
instances of disposal site workers coming in contact with
hazardous waste because the local disposal sites are not
prepared to handle that type of waste. The federal regu-
lation requires control of facilities generating a minimum
of 2200 pounds. That rate will probably be decreased to
220 pounds by 1986. In FY 84 the Division will begin a
survey to find out how many of these small generators
there are and begin planning for adequate control measures.
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The federal regulations require that facility inspections
include review and evaluation of faci.lity plans to assure
that the facilities:
- are prepared to handle hazardous waste,
- have a program to train their employees to handle
hazardous waste,
- have contingency plans in place,
- are prepared to take proper precautions when a disposal
facility is closed and have made provision for the site
to be monitored for a minimum of 30 years after closure,
and
- have financial assurance for personal liability and
environmental damage.
In FY 84 permits will be issued to several facilities for
onsite treatment and temporary storage by hazardous waste
generators as well as treatment/final disposal for the two
commercial disposal facilities.
Inspections of authorized facilities, actions on small
quantity generator requests for disposal, investigations of
abandoned and/ior unauthorized hazardous waste dumps and
resolving complaints from the general public will continue.
Resource Recovery
Some municipal wastes that can be recycled are aluminum cans,
newspapers, quality paper, cardboard, and glass. Much of the
remaining waste can be incinerated to generate energy as
steam or electricity.
Existing and planned or potential resource recovery projects
in Idaho are described below.
- Cassia County was the first political entity in the state
to plan, develop and begin operating a full scale solid
waste energy recovery facility using municipal waste. The
plant at Heyburn has a fifty ton-per-day incinerator with
a heat recovery boiler providing part of the steam needs
of the adjacent Simplot potato processing plant.
- In Kootenai County the Coeur d'Alene sanitary landfill has
been retro-fitted with a methane recovery system and is
providing space heating for the city's shop complex.
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- In Lewiston, the Potlatch Forest Products Company has .
brought on line an electrical generation complex that is
powered by wood wastes.
- Bannock County has passed a bond election on an Energy
Recovery Project and arrangements are being made to start
the construction of a municipal solid waste energy recovery
plant of approximately 175 tons per day. The plant will have
the capability to co-generate both process steam and electri-
city.
- The University of Idaho has a feasibility study in progress
on a proposal for an on-campus solid waste energy recovery
faci1i ty.
- Holliday Engineering of Payette is looking into the feasi-
bility of a solid waste energy recovery facility for Payette
and Malheur Counties in Idaho and Oregon, respectively.
- Nampa and Caldwell in Canyon County are taking the issue
of energy recovery from solid waste under advisement.
Figure 1 shows the locations of Hazardous Waste and Resource
Recovery facilities in Idaho.
The economics of recycled materials are typically very good in
heavily populated areas, but recycling programs in Idaho
suffer from high transportation costs and small volumes.
Other wastes with a potential for recovery include tires, lubri-
cating oil and wood waste. Each presents disposal problems.
Discarded tires cannot be compacted and gradually work to the
surface in landfills where they can trap water and become a
breeding place for mosquitoes and also pose an operation problem,
Waste lubricating oil has been used on roads as a dust suppres-
sant but it can pollute air and water. Heavy metals and other
contaminants in the oil make indiscriminate burning or disposal
undesirable. Wood waste can pollute water resources and consume
significant space in landfills.
Solid Waste
Some of the problems related to solid waste disposal are:
- When garbage decomposes, methane gas is produced as a by-
product. Methane is toxic to vegetation and is explosive
in certain concentrations. It has been detected at some
landfills in Idaho. Methane gas problems can be reduced
through proper site selection and construction. When methane
gas is present it can be used as an energy source.
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- Decomposition of refuse can produce offensive odors that may
attract rodents and insects capable of transmitting disease
organisms. Proper disposal and compaction of the refuse with
daily soil cover will reduce the problem,
- Sewage sludge disposal is of increasing concern as water
pollution control requirements for removal of wastes become
more strict and space for disposal becomes more scarce.
Some alternatives being used are incinerating the sludge
or using it on farm and forest lands.
The lack of funds has caused considerable reduction in the sur-
veillance of municipal solid waste disposal sites as well as
continuation of the open dump inventory.
When a city or county has one or more open dumps, usually these
sites are abandoned and sanitary landfills established or they are
converted to sanitary landfills for more adequate sanitary
management. Unfortunately, through improper management, a
great many sanitary landfills are allowed to become little
more than open dumps.
One of the major concerns associated with problem sites is
water pollution. Rainwater draining through or running over
the wastes may carry harmful chemicals and bacteria into
streams and groundwater and can contaminate wells and surface
water used for drinking, cooking, swimming and other public
contact activities. Groundwater monitoring is being conducted
at the solid waste disposal sites that have the highest poten-
tial for causing problems.
Open burning of garbage in populated areas in Idaho has been
virtually eliminated, but there are still problem sites due
to improper disposal of municipal solid wastes.
Solid waste program activities include locating open dumps
(open dump inventory) and working with cities and counties
to upgrade open dumps to sanitary landfills, working on an
inventory to classify disposal sites as open dumps, sanitary
landfills or modified fills, approving new disposal sites,
maintaining the state solid waste plan, inspecting disposal
facilities, responding to public complaints and answering
inquiries from industry and governmental entities. Some of
the program activities have been delegated to the district
health departments to conduct inspections and react to problems
in the local areas.
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Figure 1.
Location of Hazardous Haste and Resource Recovery Facilities
**. Chemical Treatment and Disposal Facilities
# Energy Recovery Plants
• Energy Recovery Plant Feasibility
Study Areas
• Recycling Facilities that Accept Two or
More Types of Material (different types
of paper, aluminum cans, glass, etc.)
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Radiation Control
The use of radiation sources in the medical, industrial or
academic fields can be likened to a two-edged sword. If
used properly they can be excellent tools for medical diag-
nosis. Improperly used they have the potential to cause
ill health.
Radiation sources can be categorized as follows: ionizing
radiation, which has enough energy to cause intermolecular
destruction, and non-ionizing radiation.
Sources of non-ionizing radiation are microwave ovens, lasers,
ultrasound and dyathermy equipment, radio frequency propagators
(televisions, computer terminals, etc.), and radar. The main
areas of concern are use of microwave ovens in homes and
restaurants and use of lasers in public displays, high schools
and colleges. It is estimated that over 40% of all homes and a
much higher percentage of all restaurants now have microwave
ovens. About 1% of the microwave ovens are found to be faulty
permitting excessive radiation leakage.
Ionizing radiation sources are classed into two categories:
radioactive materials and electronic radiation producing
devices.
Radioactive material possession and use is controlled through
licensure and inspection by the Division's Radiation Control
Section. Anyone wishing to use certain types or quantities
of radioactive materials must submit an application for
licensure, described the proposed use and list their quali-
fications and criteria for safe use. A license is issued and
inspections are conducted to verify that the user is complying
with the regulations.
Examples of use are: nuclear medicine facilities in hospitals
where radioactive tracers are injected into humans to detect
cancer, blood clots, etc.; industrial radiography where pipe-
lines or tanks are evaluated for structural integrity;
measurement of soil moisture content or material density for
highway construction and agricultural use; industrial gauges
where thickness, density or level of a material is measured;
and, research facilities.
Uses of radioactive materials can lead to environmental con-
tamination, waste disposal and transportation problems even
though precautions are taken.
The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory west of Idaho Falls
is a facility operated by the federal government housing
several active nuclear reactors, a waste processing facility
and a radioactive waste disposal and temporary storage facility
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Monltoring of the environment must be conducted to insure that
people are not being subjected to unnecessary radiation
exposure through contamination of the air* soil and groundwater.
Several years ago there was a uranium ore milling operation
near Lowman, Idaho. The mill and tailings piles were later
abandoned. The uranium level in the tailings piles is a
potential health threat and action will be taken over the
next several years to cover the material and return the site
to its natural state if the project is authorized by the next
session of the legislature.
Increased use of radioactive materials in both the nuclear
and non-nuclear fields has led to increased transportation
of radioactive materials and waste disposal. Idaho has entered
into a compact with other northwest states to assure that an
adequate low level waste disposal site is chosen to handle
Idaho's radioactive waste.
Idaho is also participating in the national plan for selection
of a final waste disposal site for high level and transuranic
wastes (refuse contaminated with small amounts of plutonium).
To combat the increasing probability of transportation accidents
involving radioactive materials and to lessen the potential
health threats, the Radiation Control Section has implemented
a Radiation Emergency Response Plan to react to accidents on
Idaho's highways. This plan calls for the Department to provide
a response team, equipment and training for reaction to a radi-
ation incident.
Finally, electronic radiation producing devices encompass
machines which produce radiation when energized, namely x-ray
units, electron microscopes and x-ray diffraction units. Any-
one wishing to possess or use such a device must have the unit
registered with the Radiation Control Section within 10 days
of acquisition. After registration the x-ray facility unit
is subject to inspection.
Inspections of x-ray equipment are conducted on a priority
basis depending upon the type of facility and workload involved.
Busy facilities such as hospitals and therapy installations
and industrial radiography units are inspected once every
18 months. Private medical and chiropractor x-ray units and
x-ray diffraction units are inspected every three years. Dentists
veterinarians and facilities with electron microscopes and
industrial x-ray units are inspected once every five years.
The major source of unnecessary radiation exposure comes from
improper operation by the technician. User education courses
have been provided for x-ray unit operators and the Radiation
Control Section has cooperated with the local medical societies
toward certification of the x-ray operators.
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Vector Control
Vector control is concerned with the protection of the public
from vector-borne diseases and nuisance pests. Rodents, and
insects and other arthropods which are capable of transmitting
diseases such as encephalitis, Colorado tick fever, relapsing
fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, plague, tularemia and
other diseases are present in the State and disease outbreaks
do occur. Pests of stored food and general outbreaks of
nuisance insects such as yellowjackets, flies, mosquitoes,
head lice and black flies are not uncommon.
The vector control program is one of consultation and technical
assistance to local communities, the public, and agencies,
especially the mosquito abatement districts. There is a need
to continually train people to deal with these problems.
Problem areas which may complicate program delivery include:
pest populations developing resistance to control chemicals,
environmental concerns for pesticide applications, shortage
of trained personnel to operate the programs and the acceptance
by the public of new control methods.
WATER QUALITY
When Congress enacted amendments to the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act in 1972, a national goal to achieve "fishable,
swimmable" waters by 1983 was set. The purpose of the Act is
to protect the quality of our nation's waters for a variety of
uses, including public water supply, wildlife, fish and shell-
fish, recreation, navigation, agriculture and industry. Each
water use depends on certain characteristics, such as tempera-
ture, concentrations of dissolved oxygen, or absence of bacteria,
which can be measured and used to evaluate water quality- Idaho':
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 Idaho's water quality goals.
The primary tool used to evaluate water quality conditions is
called the Water Quality Index. The index program is broken
down into ten pollutant categories (Table 4) and compares water
quality data measured at monitoring stations to the correspon-
ding water quality criteria. By using the index it can be
shown if water quality goals are being met or where more
emphasis is needed to achieve these goals.
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Table 4.
Criteria Categories for the Water Quality Index
Criteria Category
Temperature
Dissolved Oxygen
pH
Aesthetics
Solids
Radioactivity
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Trophic (Nutrient
Enrichment)
Organic Toxicity
Inorganic Toxicity
Explanation
Water temperature Influences the type of fish
and other aquatic life that can survive in a
river. Excessively high temperatures are detri-
mental 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 this Index the 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 can inte.rfere with
agricultural, industrial and domestic use. 'Excess
suspended solids adversely affect fish feeding and
spawning and may have adverse secondary impacts on
dissolved oxygen.
May be tn water as a result of radioactive waste discharge
or fallout. Excess levels can harm aquatic and other
life forms.
These 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 flourish
they make the water murky, and the growths make
swimming and fishing unpleasant. Decomposition of
dead algae can decrease dissolved oxygen concentrations
to the levels harmful to fish.
Includes pesticides and other organic poisons having
similar effects and persistence.
Heavy metals and other elements; excess concentrations
are poisonous to aquatic and other life forms. Also
includes excessive dissolved gases in water which can
affect the metabolism of aquatic life.
Water Quality Index numbers range from zero to 100. Table
shows how this 100 point scale is partitioned and gives an
explanation of individual ratings.
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Table 5.
Water Quality Index
0-10
11-20
21-40
41-60
61-100
1.0.
Rating
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Very Poor
Explanations
High quality, no detected pollution
On the average, no pollution or minimally polluted
Intermittently or moderately polluted
Polluted, does not meet water quality goals
Severely polluted, some protected uses Inhibited
Insufficient data
Quality of Idaho's Principal Rivers
Water quality conditions in Idaho's rivers vary across the
State. Conditions can generally be related to the predominant
land use in the area or the extent of local development or
both. The central and northern regions of the State exhibit
particularly high water quality. Geographic areas experiencing
degradation are the southeast, southwest and the Palouse area
of the Panhandle region. Figure 2 shows the specific water
quality indexes for 19 of the major rivers or river segments
that are monitored.
Figure 2.
Water Quality Index Values for Idaho's Principal Rivers
Lower Portneuf
Lower Bruneau
S.F. Coeur tf Alene
Lower Boise
Rock Creek (Twin Falls Co.)
Middle Snake
Coeur a"Alene
(Above S.F Confluence)
Lower Snake
Bear
Clearwaler & Significant Thbs.
Salmon
Kootenai
St. Joe
Weiser
Upper Snake
Clark Fork/Fend OreiHe
Blackfoot
Henry's Fork
Payeoe, Ind N & S. Forks
• WORST 3 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS
•ANNUAL AVERAGE WATER QUALITY INDEX
100
Acceptable • Marginal'
Minimal or Intermittent or Moderate
No Pollution Pollution
Unacceptable *
Severe Pollution
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Idaho can be broken down into six hydrologic basins for a more
detailed discussion of current conditions (Figure 3). Water
quality can be discussed following the flow direction of the
major drainages in the State, beginning in the southeast where
the Snake and Bear Rivers enter Idaho.
Figure 3.
Hydrologic Map of Idaho Showing High Priority Problem Areas.
P/WWNOE BASIN
OfWWVTER RIVER BASIN
SNAKE
RIVER BASIN
SOUlttEST BASIN
BEAR RIVER BASK
Bear
B*?ve r Ba
sin
Water quality in the Bear River Basin is rated poor. The major
activities impacting water quality are related to agriculture.
Point sources of pollution affecting basin water quality include
municipal effluents from Soda Springs and Preston. It is diffi-
cult to assess improvement or degradation of water quality in
this basin as the natural flow of the Bear River is closely
regulated. Power generation is a primary use and diversions
for irrigation and return flows can readily mask true changes
in water quality.
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The beneficial uses of greatest concern in the Bear River
Basin are recreation and fishing. Bear Lake, the most signifi-
cant hydrologic feature in the basin, is a focal point for
these activities. The Bear River is the major tributary to
Bear Lake and therefore directly affects lake water quality-
Although present lake quality is very good, nutrient and
sediment loads from the Bear River present a very real threat.
These pollutants originate higher in the drainage and are
associated with agricultural activities and natural erosion
of the river channel. A Clean Lakes Project was completed
early in 1983 which identified and quantified the sources
of pollutants entering Bear Lake. A series of management
alternatives for reducing pollution impacts from the adjacent
watershed and the upper Bear River drainage were proposed.
Funding to implement these solutions is being sought from
the states of Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Idaho has provided
planning funds for the development of a basin water quality
management plan and Utah has provided funding for additional
monitoring activities and development of other management
solutions
Upper Snake Ri»ver Basin
Overall water quality in the Upper Snake River Basin can be
described as fair. Quality is good as the Snake flows into
Idaho from Wyoming; however, progressive degradation occurs
as the river-flows west. Water quality improves to a fair
rating below Hagerman at the basin boundary. This is partly
due to the Snake Plain Aquifer discharge at Thousand Springs.
Agriculture is the predominant activity impacting water
quality in the Upper Snake River Basin. Irrigated and dryland
agriculture on tributary rivers and the main stem Snake both
contribute to degraded conditions. Major point source dis-
charges to surface waters within the basin include the cities
of Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Burley; industrial
discharges from FMC; and numerous fish hatcheries. Several
of these municipalities and industries converted to land
application either in part or totally in 1980, which resulted
in improved water quality.
The beneficial uses of greatest importance in the Upper Snake
River Basin are recreation, cold water fisheries, and salmonid
spawning. Pollutant categories presenting the greatest threat
to these uses are bacteria, nutrients and suspended sediment.
Nonpoint source activities contribute the majority of these
pollutants; however, point source discharges add to degraded
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conditions. Improvement in these specific pollutant categories
has been shown in the Rock Creek watershed due to the application
of Best Management Practices (BMP's). Removal of some surface
discharges from the Portneuf River has also resulted in improved
conditions for specific categories. This illustrates that
successful implementation of both point and nonpoint source
controls can protect or enhance existing threatened beneficial
uses
hwes.t
Southwest: Basin
Water quality conditions in the Southwest
very little since last reported. General
wide can be characterized as fair. Major
Snake River within this basin contribute
Basin have changed
conditions basin-
tributaries to the
high levels of bacteria,
nutrients and suspended sediment, reflecting the extent of
agricultural development. There are also numerous point source
discharges scattered throughout the basin which contribute to
generally degraded conditions. The Lower Boise River exhibits
particularly poor water quality conditions due to the extensive
agricultural activities within the drainage- There are also
several major point sources discharging to the Boise River.
These include the cities of Boise, Meridian, Caldwell and Nampa;
however, all provide secondary treatment or better. In general,
water quality is degraded from fair at the eastern basin border
to poor at the western border due to a combination of point and
nonpoint sources. As the Snake River flows north through
Brownlee, Oxbow and Hells Canyon Reservoirs fair quality is
restored through the settling of sediment and associated
pol lutants .in the reservoirs.
Water quality conditions indicate seasonal impairment to cold
water biota and salmonid spawning, particularly in the Boise
River drainage. Impairment to recreational uses also occurs
in several area reservoirs. It is hard to separate the amount
of use impairment caused by point sources versus nonpoint sources,
as both are signifcant and they occur together. The greatest
water quality benefits to be realized in this basin would result
from improving land management practices relating to agricul- •
tural activities.
Salmon River^Basin
v^ver^
Water quality in the Salmon River Basin is good. There are few
substantial point source or nonpoint source pollution impacts
at present. A problem area that still persists, however, is
associated with the Blackbird Mine. Heavy metals and acid mine
drainage have .eliminated the fishery in Blackbird, Big Deer and
Panther Creeks. The cost effectiveness of restoring this drainage
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is not promising at this time although it will continue to be
reevaluated on an annual basis. Potential threats to the water
quality in this basin are mining and sil vicul tural activities.
In particular, the Cypress Thompson Creek project is the largest
mining operation in Idaho and will contribute a large portion
of the nation's molybdenum. The Salmon River drainage repre-
sents one of the last inland wild anadromous fisheries in the
contiguous United States. Continued protection of this unique
resource remains a high priority.
Cl earwater fRi ver Basin
""W
Water quality in the Clearwater Basin is generally good. Pollu-
tion impacts are primarily nonpoint source in nature although
there are several municipal dischargers in the lower drainage.
Si 1 vicul tural and agricultural activities are the greatest
potential threats to water quality in this basin. The Clear-
water drainage is an important recreation area and supports
both hatchery and wild anadromous fisheries. Close attention
will be paid to the effects of timber production and agriculture
activities to assure current high water quality conditions are
mai ntai ned.
ndLe
UA
PanhandLe Basin
UA
The Panhandle Basin contains some of the highest quality natural
environments in Idaho. These excellent conditions are reflected
in both current and historical water quality measurements in
the Kootenai and Pend Oreille River drainages. The Coeur d'Alene
drainage is also v-ery scenic; however, water quality conditions
in a major part of the basin continue to suffer the effects of
mining activities on the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River.
The major problem continues to be the high heavy metals concen-
trations resulting from current and abandoned mining operations.
Since the closure of the Bunker Hill Mining and Smelting Complex
in 1982, a measurable improvement in metals has occurred. Use
impairment continues, however, and includes recreation, coldwater
ciota and salmonid spawning. Water quality impacts from heavy
metals remain detectable as far downstream as Long Lake, Wash-
ington. Above the confluence of the Coeur d'Alene River and
the South Fork, at Enaville, water quality continues to be
excel lent.
There are several other sources or activities within the basin
which have the potential for degrading water quality. Nonpoint
source activities include silviculture, agriculture and grazing.
The few substantial point sources, other than mining, include
the municipal discharges from Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint.
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Quality of Idaho's Lakes
Idaho's lakes are one of its most important recreational
Most natural
of the large
degradation.
in the State
tional uses.
resources
lakes exhibit excel fen'trwater quality while some
river impoundments are experiencing significant
Figure 4 shows the principal recreational lakes
and ratings of their condition for various recrea-
Figure 4.
Principal Recreational Lakes in Idaho and a Ranking of Their Condition
SURFACE
AREA
NAME (ACRES)
Brownlee Res. 15.0001
American Falls Res. 56.0001
Wilson Lake 600J
Lake Walcott 12.000
Portneuf Res. 1.5001
William Lk./Lemhi Co. 200
Crane Creek Res. 1.000
Lake Lowell 9.600
Lower Granite Res. 8.900|
Oxbow Res. 1.500
Hell's Canyon Res. 2.500
Paddock Valley Res. 1.000
Fernan Lake 300
Chatcolet Lake 600
Cascade Res. 30.000
Henrys Lake 2.500
Island Park Res. 7.000
Magic Res. 1.800
Twin Lakes/Kootenai Co. 850
Cocolalla Lake 800
Salmon Falls Cr. Res. 1.500
Lower Goose Cr. Res. 1.000
Fish Cr. Res. 250
Lost Valley Res. 800
Palisades Res. 16.000
Upper Payette Lk. 500
Dworshak Res. 1 7.000
Sage Hen Res. 300
Anderson Ranch Res. 4.000
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 b.OOO
Bulltrout Lake 900
Mackay Reservoir 1.000
Little Camas Res. 1.000
Little Wood Res. 600
CAUSE OF PROBLEM
Upstream Sources
Natural/Agnc. Nonpomt/
Municipal/Industrial Pt. Sources
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Agncultrual Runoff
Recreational Impacts
Natural/Agnc Runoff
Agricultural Runoff
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Upstream Sources
Natural/Agnc Runoff
Septic Tanks/Agnc Runoff
Agricultural Runoff
Agnc. Runoff/Munic Pt. Source
Recreational Impacts
Septic Tanks/Natural Runoff
Agnc. Runoff/Munic. Pt. Sources
Septic Tanks/Agnc. Runoff
Agnc. Runoff/Rec. Impacts
Condition Good
Moderate Problem
E3 Significant Problem
EH Statue Unknown
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All lakes undergo a natural process of aging known as eutrophi-
cation. When this process is accelerated by man s activities
it is termed cultural eutrophication. Cultural eutrophication
results when excessive nutrients and sediment are supplied to
lakes from outside sources. Land disturbing activities like
agriculture, mining, silviculture and construction are the
main nonpoint sources of lake pollution. Municipal and indus-
trial treatment plant discharges are primary point sources of
lake pollution. If the impacts from these pollution sources
are left uncontrolled, the lifespan of many Idaho lakes will
be shortened significantly.
There are several symptoms of eutrophication that are easily
recognized. Excess nutrients serve to "fertilize" lake systems
and result in dense growths of aquatic plants (algae). Some
algae form floating mats which prevent recreational uses such
as swimming, boating and fishing. Aesthetic value is also
reduced by poor water clarity resulting from dense algal growth
and sedimentation. Another characteristic of eutrophic lakes
is low dissolved oxygen concentrations. When algae die and
decay oxygen is consumed. Sometimes so much oxygen is used
that fish kills occur and other aquatic life becomes threatened.
These conditions are eventually exhibited during the natural
aging process of all lakes, but under man's influence they are
amplified and accelerated.
Most of the eutrophication problems in Idaho lakes are due to
increases in nutrient levels from agricultural return flows
and runoff, as well as heavy development of lake shorelines
(septic tank leaching). Examples of deteriorated lake quality
are Brownlee and Oxbow Reservoirs, impacted by upstream agri-
cultural activities along the Snake River and its tributaries.
Lake Lowell, an offstream reservoir near Boise, is impacted
by high summer nutrient loadings from agricultural nonpoint
sources and a large population of waterfowl that uses the lake.
The waterfowl impact is significant enough that control of
agricultural nutrient sources may not solve the problem.
American Falls Reservoir is impacted from dryland and irrigated
agriculture, winter discharges of treated sewage from the city
of Pocatello, and natural phosphate deposits in the underlying
geology. Many northern Idaho lakes which currently exhibit
high quality are showing signs of degradation. These lakes are
used extensively for recreation and are undergoing increasing
development. To insure that future develpment occurs with
minimal impact on these lakes, management plans for Kootenai
County Lakes and Pend Oreille Lake have been developed. Planned
growth and development around Idaho lakes and improved land use
practices are the first necessary steps for protecting our
valuable lake resources.
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Funding to address lake water quality problems has been through
the Water Quality Management Planning Program and the Clean
Lakes Program. Two Clean Lakes Projects were completed before
funding was discontinued in 1981. A Lake Classification Study
was completed by the University of Idaho in 1983. The study
resulted in a method of classifying lakes according to their
trophic condition or "health" and a method of ranking lakes
according to their need for management action. The second
project was a diagnostic and feasibility study on Bear Lake.
This study documented and characterized the extent of water
quality problems in Bear Lake, the adjacent watershed and the
upper Bear River watershed. Specific management solutions
were recommended for protecting and maintaining Bear Lake's
water quality. Other funding sources are being pursued to
implement the findings of both of these projects. Some Federal
planning funds are being made available for additional work;
however^ progress in protecting or improving lake water quality
will be slow without additional funding sources.
Point Source Pollution
The major mechanism for the control of point source pollution
discharges is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES). Industries and municipalities that discharge
waste into streams are required to apply for permits under
this program. 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.
This program is administered by EPA and coorindated with the
State. In most other states, the NPDES programs have been
delegated to state agencies which carry out this responsibility.
Idaho has not qualified for delegation because of low state
penalties for violations.
Through the NPDES permit process, point source pollutants are
to be removed to acceptable levels before wastewater reaches
the river. Problems still exist with inadequate wastewater
treatment, overloading of facilities from groundwater and/or
stormwater entering into sewers and inadequate stream flow to
provide mixing of the effluent during the summer periods. A
second program problem is the federal policy of not issuing
permits to minor dischargers. In Idaho many of the point
source discharges that impact water quality come under the
"minor" definition and therefore, need to be included in the
permit process.
Resources for the permit program will be less for both EPA and
the Division of Environment than last year. First priority will
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be given to issuance and reissuance of municipal permits and
compliance monitoring. The State will continue to pursue
authority for the NPDES program.
The Construction Grants Program is also included under the
overall point source control effort. Through this program EPA
and the State provide financial assistance to municipalities
for construction of sewage treatment systems. Management of
the EPA municipal facilities construction program in Idaho has
been partially delegated to the State. This delegation trend
will continue and all activities will be assumed by the Division
of Environment by the end of FY 84 with the exception of a few
functions which will be performed by the Corps of Engineers.
The Division and EPA will continue to emphasize the upgrading
of municipal sewage treatment facilities to provide secondary
treatment. A 1983 grant to the City of Orofino will eliminate
the last primary treatment facility in Idaho.
To meet Idaho's Water Quality Standards on some rivers, treat-
ment beyond secondary may be required for a few municipal
discharges. An example of this is the Spokane River. EPA
is working with both Idaho and Washington to establish a
coordinated plan for control of phosphorus 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 for treatment plant
O&M staff will be continued at Boise State University in
cooperation with the Division of Environment. The new training
facility constructed for Boise State University through a 100%
EPA grant is now in full operation.
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Nonpoint source activities account for the majority of water
pollution problems in Idaho. These sources of pollution are
more difficult to treat because they involve large areas of
land and the activities which disturb the land surface. Best
Management Practices (BMP's) are the primary means of controlling
nonpoint source pollution.
The responsibility for developing nonpoint source control strat-
egies has been given to local and State agencies through provisions
in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for developing water
quality management plans. Many high priority pollution problems
have been addressed through the planning program and are now
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Top: Erosion on Meadow Creek Road (Bonneville County) caused
by a two-day spring storm. Runoff went into Ririe Reservoir
(in background). Bottom: Irrigation return flow problem
(Rook Creek as it entered the Snake River in 1977). These are
both typical of problems being solved through the Idaho
Agricultural Water Quality Program and the Rural Clean Water
Program.
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being implemented. Examples include the Agricultural Pollution
Abatement Plan, the Forest Practices Water Quality Management
Plan, the BMP Handbook for Construction and Maintenance of Roads,
the Big Lost River Water Quality Management Plan and the Bear
Lake Marina Water Quality Management Plan.
Agriculture continues to be the most significant nonpoint
source'of water pollution in the State. To address these
problems, a statewide Agricultural Pollution Abatement Plan
was developed in 1979 and was updated this year. This volun-
tary program is being carried out statewide by 51 soil conser-
vation districts. Nine districts have completed detailed water
quality planning in high priority stream segments. Seven
districts are installing BMP's under the new state cost-share
program. The streams receiving protection under this program
are Marsh, Willow and Hangman Creeks, the Little Malad, Lower
Boise and S.F. Palouse Rivers, and Cedar Draw. The addition
of new projects is anticipated each year.
Federal funds are also being used to get best management prac-
tices installed. Idaho has one Rural Clean Water Project on
Rock Creek in Twin Falls County and several Small Watershed
Projects, including Rock Creek in Power County and Hazelton
Butte in Jerome County. Other federal funds are providing
treatment to critical areas and conversion of sensitive
lands to permanent vegetation.
In addition to these projects, all Idaho soil conservation
districts have incorporated water quality activities into
their annual work plans as part of the implementation of the
voluntary pollution control program.
Timber harvesting activities (silviculture) are another major
cause of nonpoint source pollution in Idaho. The Idaho Depart-
ment 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. BMP's have been developed; however, a
program to insure implementation is lacking at the State level
due to inadequate funding. On Federal land, implementation of
BMP's varies from forest to forest. The Division of Environment
currently does not have the resources to conduct the necessary
monitoring to determine if good practices are being utilized.
Efforts to reduce water quality impacts from silviculture have
included the development of an education/information program
to make timber harvesting operators aware of the impacts of
poor practices and development of road construction BMP's.
In addition to these the State Water Quality Standards are
being reviewed to incorporate definitions of serious injury
to beneficial uses resulting from silvicultural activities.
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The Forest Practices Water Quality Management Plan, completed
in 1980, is also being reviewed and updated. The Forest Audit
Team recommended 1n the plan has recently been formed and will
begin work on BMP assessment 1n FY 84.
Current and abandoned mining activities also contribute to
nonpoint source pollution problems. The Division of Environment
is continuing to work closely with Noranda and Cyprus mining
companies to minimize water quality impacts as these operations
progress. Smaller mining operations also present potential
water quality problems. These activities contribute a dis-
proportionate amount of sediment when in operation. Activity
fluctuates directly with the price of metal (gold and silver),
therefore Impacts are sporadic. In addition to sedimentation,
problems from cyanide heap leaching for gold have occurred
due to inadequately designed systems. Periodic surveillance
of these operations will be conducted in an effort to minimize
these threats to water quality. Problems in the South Fork
and main Coeur d'Alene Rivers from abandoned and inactive
mines still persist. Improvements have been noted, however,
since the closure of the Bunker Hill Mining and Smelting Complex
Rehabilitation of this area is not planned due to lack of funds.
The Division of Environment and EPA will explore other mears
for dealing with nonpoint source pollution problems in the
upcoming year- One source of funds for dealing with nonpoint
source problems will be from the construction grants program.
Money has been earmarked specifically for new water quality
management planning. Planning projects completed under previous
programs will be periodically reviewed and updated. E«phas*'s
will be placed on implementing these completed projects.
Drinking Water
The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed in 1974, gave EPA prf.uary
responsibility for establishing drinking water standards and
assuring national program consistency, but intended that the
states implement programs ensuring that public drinking wate^
systems are in compliance with standards. Idaho has assuned
primary responsibility for working with public water systems
to implement drinking water standards. Emphasis has been pla-e_
on voluntary compliance with the National Irte<"i» Primary
Drinking Water Regulations, but when voluntary efforts fall.
more formal enforcement procedures have been pursued.
In most cases, contamination of a water supply system is due
bacteria. Disease raay result froa consuming small quantities
of contaminated water. The national drinking wate'- sta'ia-ds
address treated water quality characteristics, as measured 5
Y
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periodic tests. EPA recognizes that these are minimum standards
and are not adequate in themselves to protect public health.
EPA, therefore, encourages states to implement comprehensive
programs that go beyond addressing only finished water quality
(operator training and plan review).
The primary means to assure safe drinking water is for public
water systems to have properly operated, wel1-maintained,
adequately designed facilities, That means a major part of
a state's program is evaluation of facility design and inspec-
tion of water systems to determine deficiencies which can
create health hazards. Emphasis will be placed on facilities
which have never been inspected, especially in Northern Idaho.
Improvement is also needed in meeting the minimum state moni-
toring requirements.
Water quality agencies are concerned that current Idaho rules
and regulations governing subsurface sewage disposal may not
prevent pollution of drinking water sources or health hazards
in the populated areas in Southwest Boise (Ada County) and
over the Snake Plain and Rathdrum aquifers. Revisions are
being proposed to these regulations which should alleviate
this concern.
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 protection that resources allow. First priority
will be to ensure that drinking water systems violating the
maximum contamination levels for bacteria, chemical, radio-
chemical and turbidity contaminants are surveyed and the
problems corrected. Public notification when drinking water
needs to be boiled or treated before use will be continued.
If IDHW should lose existing District Health Department support
due to inadequate Federal and State funding, 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 established a program to protect
underground sources of drinking water. EPA's role is to develop
national Underground Injection Control (UIC) regulations, provide
oversight and ensure national program consistency. Congress
intended that the states implement the UIC program and that
EPA would list the states needing the program. Idaho, although
not initially listed, petitioned to be included in the UIC
listing. EPA awarded UIC grants to Idaho (Department of Water
Resources) in 1979, and those grants were continued through
1983. Idaho is using developmental grant funds to collect
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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 the
Division of Environment, has applied for delegation of the
UIC program which would provide protection against groundwater
degradation through regulation of Injected fluids. Final
program delegation has not been made, but Idaho is still
pursuing 1t. The Division 1s developing regulations for use
of Shallow Injection Wells as part of the State's UIC program.
The regulations are scheduled for implementation in spring 1984.
In Idaho, surface Impoundments (pits, ponds and lagoons)
present a potential threat to groundwater resources. A surface
Impoundment assessment was completed by the University of
Idaho 1n 1982. While the study indicated there is potential
for contamination of groundwater by impoundments, few actual
cases of groundwater contamination have been documented.
"Sole source aquifer designation" is another feature of the
groundwater protection program in which an aquifer may be
designated as the only source of drinking water for a particular
area. The Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie 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 desig-
nation requires that EPA review groundwater impacts of projects
proposed for Federal financial assistance and prohibits such
assistance for any project which may contaminate this important
aquifer.
In addition, the EPA has been petitioned to designate the
Snake River Plain Aquifer as a "sole source aquifer." Technical
background material is currently being prepared. The request
is currently undergoing the required public notice and hearing
process with a decision probable by 1934.
Where there is rapid development in rural areas that affects
vital groundwater systems, the Division of Environment ari
EPA have been helping local agencies develop management plars
to prevent degradation. The Panhandle Health District adopted
and is implementing regulations for sewage disposal over t^e
Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. EPA is encouraging Spokane Count/
to adopt similar regulations. Ada Planning Associat'o^ hss
finalized a wastewater management plan in coordination w-;th
the development of a comprehensive land use plan wtr'ch will
help prevent groundwater degradation in rural areas of Ada
County. This plan also summarizes and consolidates -11 2dD~ter
central sewer facility plans, procedures for amending area
plans and areawide policies for their coordinatio" and i~t"e-
mentation. The Southeast Idaho Council of Governments -as
developed a plan addressing prevention of groundwater degra-
dation in Bingham County. The District Seven Healt" Deri.-t-
ment has developed a plan to prevent contamination o-
Snake River Aquifer in the six counties making ur its
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The Fort Hall Reservation Groundwater Management Plan was
developed under a planning program grant from EPA and the
Division of Environment. In addition, the Division and EPA
funded a study by Idaho Department of Water Resources to
develop alternatives to the use of irrigation wastewater disposal
wells. The Division recognized further potential for agriculture
related groundwater pollution from dilute pesticide waste.
Guidelines for proper disposal were developed and an educa-
tional brochure was distributed. The importance of protecting
groundwater resources in Idaho is recognized by the Division
and EPA. The Division has developed a groundwater management
plan that establishes a groundwater pollution control/protec-
tion strategy and defines steps needed to implement the
strategy. Continued efforts in groundwater protection will
be funded through additional planning monies made available
through the construction grants program.
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