Department of
Environmental Quality

Our Mission

To protect human health and preserve the quality of Idaho's air, land, and water for use and enjoyment today and in the future.

Overview

DEQ is a state department created by the Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act (Idaho Code Title 39) to ensure clean air, water, and land in the state and protect Idaho citizens from the adverse health impacts of pollution.

As a regulatory agency, DEQ enforces various state environmental regulations and administers a number of federal environmental protection laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. DEQ manages a broad range of activities including:

• assessment of environmental problems;
• oversight of facilities that generate air, water, and hazardous waste pollution;
• monitoring of air and water quality;
• cleanup of contaminated sites; and
• education, outreach, and technical assistance to businesses, local government agencies, and interested citizens.

The agency is committed to working in partnership with local communities, businesses, and citizens to identify and implement cost-effective environmental solutions.

DEQ's Director is Toni Hardesty, an Idaho native who previously served as Administrator of DEQ's Water Quality Division and has managed a host of multimedia environmental projects in the private and public sectors, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 in Seattle.

DEQ Divisions

Within the department are five divisions responsible for developing, administering, and enforcing environmental policies and for providing technical and administrative support. Division staff are housed in the department's state office. Learn more.

• Air Quality Division
• Water Quality Division
• Waste Management & Remediation Division
• Environmental Management & Information Division
• Technical Services Division

 DEQ Regions

DEQ maintains regional offices in the following six cities: Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Pocatello and Twin Falls. Three satellite offices are located in McCall, Grangeville, and Kellogg. Regional and satellite office staff are responsible for on-the-ground implementation of environmental programs. Learn more.

Board of Environmental Quality

The Board of Environmental Quality is a rulemaking and advisory body. Learn more.

• Board Members
• Board Meetings, Agendas, and Minutes
• Petitions Filed with the Idaho Board of Environmental Quality

Working at and with DEQ

Learn about job openings and open bidding opportunities at DEQ.

• Job Openings
• Vendor / RFP Information

Emergency Response Overview

Emergency management activities in Idaho are coordinated by the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security. Each state agency is to appoint at least one representative to train, exercise and participate in the State Emergency Management Program to facilitate emergency support and logistics in response to emergencies and disasters. In addition, each agency must develop and maintain an emergency operations plan to carry out the agency's response and recovery support functions and a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to address how the agency will provide essential services to citizens during response and recovery and return the agency to normal operations. Learn about DEQ's specific responsibilities here.

Strategic Plans

Each year DEQ develops a strategic plan to identify the agency's goals and objectives for the next and four subsequent fiscal years and the strategies it will follow to achieve those goals and objectives. As required by state statute, the plan is submitted to the Legislature. An overview of DEQ's current goals and links to the agency's strategic plans since 2001 are available here.