Report 14. Idaho Water Quality Policy for Nonpoint Source Pollution: A Manual for Decision-Makers

Idaho Water Quality Policy

for Nonpoint Source Pollution:

A Manual for Decision-Makers

Jay O'Laughlin¹

Report No. 14
Idaho Forest, Wildlife and Range Policy Analysis Group
University of Idaho

December 1996

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

¹Dr. O'Laughlin is Director, Idaho Forest, Wildlife and Range Policy Analysis Group, and Professor, Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters, and periodically teaches natural resource policy.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS--TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The following individuals provided advise on the concept and outline of the plan for this study project, and they provided technical review of a draft of the report.

Dr. George G. Ice
Research Forest Hydrologist
Natl. Council of the Paper Industry for Air & Stream Improvement (NCASI)
Corvallis, OR

Larry L. Koenig
Asst. Administrator
Idaho Division of Environmental Quality
Boise, ID

Dr. Roy Mink
Professor and Director
Idaho Water Resources Research Institute
University of Idaho

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS--TECHNICAL REVIEW

In addition to the three members of the technical advisory committee, the following individuals also provided technical review of a draft of the report. However, the reviewers have not approved the contents of the report.

Dr. Terry W. Cundy Forest Hydrologist Potlatch Corporation Lewiston, ID	Dr. Charles R. Hatch Professor and Dean College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences University of Idaho	Joe Hinson Exec. Vice President Intermountain Forest Industry Association Coeur d'Alene, ID
David Mabe Paralegal & Legislative Asst. Givens Pursley & Huntley, LLP Boise, ID	Mike Medberry State Issues Director Idaho Conservation League Boise, ID	Dr. Barry C. Moore Assistant Professor Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences Washington State University Pullman, WA
Arthur D. Smith, Jr., J.D. Professor College of Law University of Idaho	Dr. Rob Van Kirk Research Director Henry's Fork Watershed Center Ashton, ID	Wendy Wilson Exec. Vice President Idaho Rivers United Boise, ID

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS--GENERAL

This project was suggested and nurtured by Karl Brooks during his term of service on the Policy Analysis Group's Citizen Advisory Committee. Philip S. Cook provided research assistance and a careful editorial eye. Sharon Gray remained cheerful during draft after draft. Lorraine Ashland carved time out of her busy schedule to fix the map on the cover. Many thanks to you all.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About the PAG
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
List of Tables and Figures
Abstract
User's Guide
Executive Summary
- Purpose
- Scope
- Focus Questions and Short Replies
- - 1. What does the Clean Water Act require?
    - What are water quality standards?
    - Are "outstanding resource waters" (ORWs) required?
    - What is a TMDL?
    - When is a TMDL required?
    - How are sources of pollution controlled?
  - 2. How has federal court action affected Idaho?
  - 3. What are the features of the new Idaho policy?
  - 4. Will the new Idaho policy be effective?
  - - Alphabet soup: BURP, WBAG, BAG, and WAG
    - What agencies are involved in watershed management?
- Analysis of Key Issues
- - #1: What is a cost-effective approach for monitoring nonpoint source pollution?
  - #2: What is a cost-effective approach for controlling nonpoint source pollution?
References Cited
Appendix: Table of Contents--Full Report
Glossary

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Table 1a. What is a TMDL?
Table 1b. How is a TMDL developed and what does it provide?
Table 2. Examples of best management practices (BMPs)
Table 3. Leading sources of water quality impairment in rivers and lakes of the United States, 1994
Table 4. The EPA's watershed protection approach
Table 5. What is a Watershed Advisory Group (WAG)?
Table 6. State and local agency authorized primary roles in watershed management
Table 7. Water quality-limited waters in Idaho affected by sediment, by basin, 1996
Table 8. Water quality impaired waters within the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project (ICBEMP) assessment area, 1996
Figure 1. The water quality-based approach to pollution control
Figure 2. Nonpoint sources categories impacting beneficial uses in Idaho streams, 1988
Figure 3. Processes in the Idaho approach to water pollution control, with organization and agency responsibilities identified

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