United States Environmental Protection Agency Idaho Traveling Inspector Program Region 10 State-EPA Symposium on Environmental Innovation and Results Denver 2006

EPA Regional Structure

Topics to be covered

 Background

Topics to be covered  Background  Activities

Topics to be covered  Background  Activities  Results

Topics to be covered  Background  Activities  Results  Maximizing use of resources and getting the resources to the need

Topics to be covered  Background  Activities  Results  Maximizing use of resources and getting the resources to the need  Impacts in Idaho

Background  95% of Drinking water comes from ground water  Limited resources  Inspection cycle  Perceived low compliance rate  Lack of operating knowledge  Direct program implementation in Idaho

Activities  Design to cover large area  Bring in other Region UST inspectors  Implement enforcement requirements  Provide compliance assistance  Utilize media

Results  Increased number of inspections  Increase in operational compliance  Increase in operator knowledge  Increased public knowledge

Maximizing resources and getting resources to the need  Concept used as a tool in other EPA regions  States can request inspection assistance  2005 Energy Act requirements mandate 3 year inspection cycle

Impacts in Idaho  Increase in awareness of UST program requirements  Discussions with Idaho stakeholders has increased  Identified shortfalls in compliance outreach activities  Helped to identify owner operator needs  Identified staff training needs

Impacts in Idaho Future activities  Meet conditions of UST portion of the 2005 Energy Act  Re-allocate staffing requirements  Identify UST program needs as related to drinking water sources  Design and evaluate owner operator training program

Thank You Questions Erik Sirs – EPA (208) Rick Jarvis – Idaho DEQ (208)