Planning and Performance
Idaho Code 67-1901 through 67-1905 requires each state agency to prepare a strategic plan and performance measurement report each fiscal year to improve accountability to citizens and lawmakers, increase the ability of the legislature to assess and oversee agency performance and make policy and budget decisions, and increase the the ability of agencies to deliver services and assess program effectiveness.
In fiscal year 2015, DEQ developed a four page, citizen-centric report to highlight some of the key information from the strategic plan and performance measurement report. The FY2015 Report to Our Citizens provides an overview of DEQ, its performance measures, finances and staffing, key services, and upcoming topics of interest. The report also features performance highlights from around the state.
Strategic Planning
Each agency's strategic plan must contain its vision or mission, goals and core functions, objectives, performance measures, benchmark or performance targets, and external factors that could impact its ability to achieve its goals and objectives. It must cover at minimum a four-year horizon and be updated annually. Reports are due to the Division of Financial Management and Legislative Services Office by July 1 of each year.
The following goals are contained in DEQ's current strategic plan:
- Manage air quality in Idaho airsheds to ensure compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
- Through proper waste and product management, prevent and protect soil and water from contamination resulting from solid and hazardous waste, petroleum products, and mining-related activities.
- Protect human health and the environment through proper waste management, mitigation, and remediation of contaminated areas.
- Protect human health and the environment at and around the Idaho National Laboratory.
- Maintain and improve surface and ground water quality in Idaho.
- Protect human health through the delivery of safe and reliable drinking water from public water systems.
- Prevent, prepare for, and respond to public health and environmental emergencies.
- Encourage and empower Idaho citizens, businesses, and communities to engage in behaviors to protect public health and preserve Idaho’s environment.
Performance Measurement
Each agency's performance measurement report must contain basic profile information for the prior 4 fiscal years, including statutory authority and revenue and expenditure information, up to 10 key quantifiable benchmark performance measures and results capturing the agency's progress in meeting its goals, performance targets for the next fiscal year, and explanations useful for understanding the measures and results. Reports are due to the Division of Financial Management and Legislative Services Office by September 1 of each year.
The following 8 benchmark performance measures and targets for FY 2016 are contained in DEQ's most recent performance measurement report:
- Number of days, on a 2-year rolling average, to issue a permit to construct. Target: 99 days
- Percentage of days that the Air Quality Index category is correctly forecasted. Target: 100%
- Percentage of hazardous waste permits and/or reviews completed within established time frames. Target: 100%
- Number of Brownfield site assessments completed. Target: 10
- Percentage of time that continuous air monitoring stations and real-time radiation monitoring station are operational to monitor INL conditions. Target: 97%
- Number of TMDLs completed for assessment unit/pollutant combinations. Target: 148
- Percentage of drinking water and wastewater plan and specification reviews completed within 42 days of receipt. Target: 100%
- Percentage of people on community water systems served by drinking water that meets health-based standards. Target: 95%