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EPA Lets Idaho Regulate Its Own Water Pollution, Joining 47 Other States

Idaho will take over regulating pollution discharge into the state’s lakes and rivers from the federal government under an agreement signed Tuesday by the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Idaho will take over regulating pollution discharge into the state’s lakes and rivers from the federal government under an agreement signed Tuesday by the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the agreement was the culmination of a tremendous amount of work and partnership between the state and the federal agency.

“Congratulations to the state of Idaho,” he said. “We are excited to sign this and look forward to working with Idaho as we go forward on these issues.”

Pruitt signed the agreement at the Idaho statehouse with Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. It shifts control of permitting and enforcement aspects under the federal Clean Water Act to the state starting July 1.

“It’s good to have Idahoans making decisions about Idaho issues,” Otter said.

Idaho had been one of only four states where federal authorities manage pollution discharge into surface waters. The remaining three are: New Mexico, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

*CORRECTION: A previous version of this headline mistakenly read "EPA Lets Idaho, and 3 Other States, Regulate Its Own Water Pollution."

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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