(1) The legislature recognizes the importance of protecting state natural resources including surface water and ground water. It is the intent of the legislature to protect the quality of these natural resources while maintaining an ecologically sound, economically viable and socially responsible dairy industry in the state. This chapter is intended to ensure that dairy waste systems are constructed, operated and maintained in a manner which protects the natural resources of the state. (2) Further, the legislature recognizes that the dairy industry is potentially subject to various state and federal laws designed to protect state natural resources and that the Idaho department of agriculture is in the best position to administer and implement these various laws. It is therefore the intent of the legislature that the administration of this chapter by the department of agriculture fully meets the goals and requirements of the federal clean water act and state laws designed to further protect state waters. (3) Successful implementation of this chapter is dependent upon the department receiving adequate funding from the legislature and upon effective coordination between the department of agriculture, the department of environmental quality and the Idaho dairymen's association to ensure compliance with this chapter and applicable state and federal laws, including the federal clean water act. Moreover, the legislature recognizes that it is important for the state to obtain an approved national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit program from the environmental protection agency (EPA) under the clean water act. If such approval is obtained, the director of the department of environmental quality and the director of the department of agriculture shall, as appropriate, establish an agreement relating to the administration of any NPDES permit program that recognizes the expertise of the department of agriculture.
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