Department of
Environmental Quality

Laws prescribe a legal standard that must be followed by all individuals, businesses or other entities within the applicable jurisdiction. Laws originate as bills and must be passed by a majority of the members of a governing body, such as the U.S. Congress or the Idaho Legislature. They are compiled in specific codes, such as Idaho Code. Major environmental laws include the federal Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,  as well as the state Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act.

Rules, too, prescribe a legal standard, but they originate with federal and state agencies rather than a governing body. The Idaho Legislature passes laws, but also authorizes agencies, including DEQ, to help put those laws into effect by creating and enforcing rules. Laws often do not include all the details needed to explain how an individual or business must follow the law. In order to make the laws work on a day-to-day basis, the Idaho Legislature authorizes agencies such as DEQ to create rules.

The Table of Authorities below provides a comprehensive list of the state and federal laws and rules under which DEQ is authorized to regulate air quality, water quality, and solid/hazardous waste in Idaho.

Air Quality

• Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act

Water Quality

• Summary of the Clean Water Act
• Summary of the Safe Drinking Water Act

Waste Management & Remediation

• Summary of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Summary of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLa)
• Overview of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthoriation Act (SARA)

Other Laws Governing DEQ's Activities

• Idaho Administrative Procedure Act
• Endangered Species Act (Title 16, Chapter 35)  |  Summary of the ESA
• Pollution Prevention Act (Title 42, Chapter 133)  |  Summary of PPA