Every two years, DEQ is required by the federal Clean Water Act to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Idaho's water bodies to determine whether they meet state water quality standards and support beneficial uses or if additional pollution controls are needed. This analysis is summarized in an "Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report" (Integrated Report), which is submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. The report serves as a guide for developing and implementing water quality improvement plans (total maximum daily loads, or TMDLs) to protect water quality and achieve federal and state water quality standards.
An Integrated Report must be approved by the EPA before it can be used by a state to guide its management decisions. Idaho's most recent approved version is its 2002 Integrated Report. This document will continue to guide DEQ's water quality management decisions until a 2004/2006 Integrated Report is completed by DEQ and approved by EPA.
Read more on Integrated Report purpose, organization, and background. |
