Idaho Begins Take Over of Wastewater Permits

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho is starting the process of taking over wastewater permitting from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, under a law that quietly cleared the Idaho Legislature earlier this year.

The Spokesman-Review reports the change means Idaho will have to add an estimated 25 employees to the state Department of Environmental Quality over the next eight years. The state must also pass laws, set fees and penalties and show that it has the funding and capability to operate the wastewater permit program before the federal agency will hand over authority.

Idaho is one of only four states that currently have the EPA running their wastewater permitting programs. The other three are Massachusetts, New Mexico and New Hampshire.