Meetings set on Idaho plan to regulate water pollution

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal authorities are holding five public meetings around Idaho next week that’s part of Idaho’s plan to take over regulating pollution discharge into the state’s lakes and rivers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting comments at the meetings as Idaho officials seek to shift control of permitting and enforcement aspects from federal authorities acting under the federal Clean Water Act to the state. The public meetings are set for Monday in Idaho Falls at the Central Public Library, Tuesday in Twin Falls at the Twin Falls Public Library, Wednesday in Boise at the Boise Public Library, Thursday in Lewiston at the Lewiston Community Center, and Friday in Coeur d’Alene at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The first four meetings begin with informational sessions at 4 p.m. The meeting in Coeur d’Alene starts at 2 p.m.

Idaho lawmakers approved the plan in 2014 ; it’s now being phased in and final federal approvals are being sought.