Idaho Bills

Repeals, amends and adds to existing law to revise the authorities and duties of the director of the Department of Agriculture regarding beef cattle feeding operations and dairy farms, to provide that certain specified law shall not affect the authority of the Department of Environmental Quality to administer and enforce an NPDES permit program; to revise design and construction provisions; to revise provisions regarding nutrient management plans and inspection provisions; to provide for compliance with dairy environmental management plans; to revise provisions regarding unauthorized discharges and releases; to provide the manner in which the Department of Agriculture shall address noncompliance and to provide for civil penalties.

The proposed legislation is necessary for Idaho to submit an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting authorization to implement a state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. Idaho Code 39-175C directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to submit a complete application, consistent with the requirements of the clean water act, by September 1, 2016. The application will request authorization for what will be known as the Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) program. The proposed legislation ensures DEQ has the authorities required by EPA for IPDES regulation of dairy and beef cattle operations.