Gem State Wire

COEUR D’ALENE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks representatives from various interest groups to serve on a new South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River Watershed Advisory Group (WAG).

The WAG is a group of citizens from a diverse set of interests dedicated to improving and protecting water quality in the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.

DEQ is seeking participants from groups representing agriculture, mining, point source dischargers, forest products, local government, livestock, water-based recreation, environmental interests, and land management or regulatory agencies. Members do not need to be water quality experts to serve on a WAG. Individuals who live or work within the area of interest are knowledgeable and informed, and DEQ values community input.

Responsibilities of WAG members include:

• Advising DEQ on the development of a water quality improvement plan known as total maximum daily load (TMDL) for the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
• Advising DEQ on the need for and development of a TMDL for the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
• Helping identify contributing pollution sources in the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene watershed.
• Recommending specific actions to effectively control sources of pollution to the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
• Helping develop and implement a plan to meet water quality targets identified in the TMDLs.

The WAG will meet on a monthly or bimonthly basis and members are asked to serve at least two-year terms. Meetings will be held in the Silver Valley area and all meetings will be advertised and open to the public.

For more information, visit DEQ’s Watershed Advisory Group page.

Original source can be found here.