Draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Payette River Estates Project
Summary
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking public comment through April 22, 2026 on a draft Section 401 water quality certification for the Payette River Estates residential development project in Emmett, Idaho. The project involves piping and filling two irrigation supply ditches and two drainage ditches, resulting in 16,328 square feet of permanent wetland impacts.
What changed
The Idaho DEQ has issued a draft 401 water quality certification for the Payette River Estates residential development project in Emmett, Idaho. The project requires filling or piping four irrigation/drainage ditches and will cause 16,328 square feet of permanent wetland impacts. DEQ has determined the project can comply with water quality requirements under the Clean Water Act (Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307) and Idaho's Water Quality Standards (IDAPA 58.01.02) if the permittee adheres to the conditions in the federal permit and this certification.
The draft certification is available for public review at DEQ's State Office and Boise Regional Office. Written comments must be submitted by April 22, 2026 at 5 p.m. Mountain Time to Meghan Cline at the Boise Regional Office. Developers, environmental groups, and other stakeholders should submit any concerns about the project's water quality impacts during the comment period.
What to do next
- Review the draft certification at DEQ offices or via the linked document
- Submit written comments on the draft certification by April 22, 2026 at 5 p.m. MT
- Contact Meghan Cline at Meghan.Cline@deq.idaho.gov with questions or to submit comments
Archived snapshot
Apr 6, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Accepting comments from April 01, 2026, through April 22, 2026.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking comment on a draft 401 water quality certification for the Payette River Estates project.
The Payette River Estates project is a proposed residential development providing single family housing in Emmett, Idaho. Two irrigation supply ditches will be piped and filled, and two drainage ditches will be filled. Construction and piping of the supply ditches will occur outside the irrigation season. Additional sediment and erosion measures, such as silt fencing, will be installed to reduce sediment into the waterway. A total of 16,328 square feet of permanent impacts to wetlands will occur.
Based upon review of the federal joint permit application, readily available water quality related materials, and certification request in accordance with 40 CFR §§ 121.5 (b) and (c) and 121.7 (c), DEQ, certifies that if the permittee complies with the terms and conditions imposed by the federal permit and the conditions set forth in this water quality certification, then it is reasonable for DEQ to conclude that the activity will comply with water quality requirements, including applicable requirements of the Clean Water Act §§ 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307, Idaho’s “Water Quality Standards” (IDAPA 58.01.02), and other appropriate water quality requirements of state law.
The draft certification is available for public review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 N. Hilton St. Boise, Idaho 83706), at DEQ’s Boise Regional Office (1445 N. Orchard St. Boise, Idaho 83706), and in the related documents linked below. Written comments will be accepted through April 22, 2026, at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. Submit comments electronically using the form below or by mail or email to:
Meghan Cline
1445 N. Orchard St.
Boise, ID 83706
Meghan.Cline@deq.idaho.gov
Related Documents
Draft Certification
Accessibility Services: **** The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.
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