The RC&D area has many water
bodies that are listed on the Clean Water Act 303 (d) list for water quality
impairment. Total Maximum Daily Load Plans are required on these stream
segments. Idaho Law allows for the formation and appointment of Watershed
Advisory Groups (WAG) to work with the Department of Environmental Quality to
provide local involvement in the development of the TMDL.
The RC&D Council is in the
forefront to help local people form WAGs and become involved in the TMDL
process. To date TMDA plans have been written by the Cascade Reservoir
WAG, the Lower Payette River WAG (including separate TMDLs for Bissel Creek and
Big Willow Creek), the Weiser River WAG, Northfork Payette WAG, and the Little
Salmon River WAG. The Wildhorse River WAG was recognized in October 2006
and the Mores Creek WAG was just approved in February 2007. The Wildhorse
River TMDL is in EPA review while the Mores Creek WAG is completing their
Subbasin Assessment. Additionally Implementation Plans have been prepared
for Cascade Reservoir, Lower Payette River, Bissel Creek, Weiser River and the
Weiser Flat tributaries to the Brownlee-Hells Canyon Snake River TMDL. The
Little Salmon River and Northfork Payette implementation plans are in process
and the Weiser River WAG is beginning the TMDL for Crane Creek Reservoir.
The RC&D Council provides
technical assistance in meeting planning and facilitation; coordination of
agencies resources; projecting water quality monitoring needs; and
information/education outreach. Additionally the RC&D Council assists
sponsors to apply for 319 grants for implementation projects. Based upon
realistic efforts to improve water quality, many grants have been obtained to
apply Best Management Practices to some of the different watershed problem
areas.
