Group Says Idaho’s Waters Not being Kept Clean, Files Suit

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An environmental group is suing federal water and wildlife agencies, contending that the agencies have long delayed taking the steps needed to protect Idaho's water quality.

Northwest Environmental Advocate filed the lawsuit in Boise's U.S. District Court against the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday. The environmental group claims that the federal agencies have dragged their feet for 17 years when it comes to requiring Idaho to protect its waters and aquatic species.

The federal government is required to review water quality standards set by the states, and Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality submitted its proposed toxic standards to the Environmental Protection Agency for review in 1994. But the federal agencies and Idaho have yet to reach an agreement on the standards.