Idaho Department of Correction Sued Over River Pollution (1)

The Idaho Department of Correction has repeatedly released pollutants from its Northern Idaho Correctional Institution into nearby waters in violation of federal law, according to a lawsuit filed in an Idaho federal court.

The Cottonwood, Idaho, facility’s releases have exceeded the limitations in its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit issued under the Clean Water Act, the Snake River Waterkeeper says in its lawsuit filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.

The group said the department has violated the requirements of the permit more than 160 times between January 2018 and March 2020, including total ...