# Idaho Code § 39-3604: 39-3604 DESIGNATION OF INSTREAM BENEFICIAL USES

> Idaho · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3604

## Section

- **Citation:** Idaho Code § 39-3604
- **Heading:** 39-3604 DESIGNATION OF INSTREAM BENEFICIAL USES
- **Jurisdiction:** Idaho
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Idaho Code / Title 39 / Chapter 36 / Section 39-3604

## Text

39-3604. Designation of instream beneficial uses. (1) The director shall designate the beneficial uses each surface water body can reasonably be expected to attain.

(2) Designated beneficial uses shall reflect existing uses. The director shall designate beneficial uses without regard to whether the uses are currently being attained or whether the uses are fully supported at the time of designation. In designating beneficial uses, the director shall consider:

(a) The existing uses of the water body;

(b) The physical, geological, hydrological, atmospheric, chemical and biological measures that affect the water body;

(c) The beneficial use attainability measures identified in section 39-3607, Idaho Code; and

(d) The economic impact of the designation and the economic costs required to fully support the beneficial uses.

(3) When designating beneficial uses for a water body, the director shall consult with the basin advisory group and the watershed advisory group with the responsibilities described in this chapter for the water body. After consultation, the director shall identify the designated beneficial uses of each water body in the rules of the department pursuant to the rulemaking and public participation provisions of chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code.

(4) Persons who either conduct nonpoint activities or who conduct operations on waters described in section 39-3609, Idaho Code, pursuant to a national pollution discharge elimination system permit, shall not be required to meet water quality criteria other than those necessary for the full support of a water body's existing and designated beneficial uses, except as provided in section 39-3611, Idaho Code.

History:

[39-3604, added 1995, ch. 352, sec. 1, p. 1170; am. 1997, ch. 279, sec. 2, p. 832; am. 2013, ch. 348, sec. 2, p. 945.]

## Nearby sections

- [Idaho Code § 39-3601 39-3601 DECLARATION OF POLICY AND STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3601.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3602 39-3602 DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3602.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3603 39-3603 ANTIDEGRADATION POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3603.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3604 39-3604 DESIGNATION OF INSTREAM BENEFICIAL USES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3604.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3605 39-3605 IDENTIFICATION OF REFERENCE STREAMS OR CONDITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3605.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3605C 39-3605C ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION FUND ESTABLISHED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3605C.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3606 39-3606 MONITORING AND USE OF REFERENCE STREAMS OR CONDITIONS AND BENEFICIAL USE SUPPORT ASSESSMENT.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3606.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3606C 39-3606C APPROPRIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION FUND — PURPOSE OF CHAPTER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3606C.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3607 39-3607 REVISIONS AND ATTAINABILITY OF BENEFICIAL USES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3607.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3608 39-3608 REGULATORY ACTIONS FOR WATER BODIES WHERE BENEFICIAL USES ARE FULLY SUPPORTED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3608.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3609 39-3609 IDENTIFICATION OF WATER BODIES WHERE BENEFICIAL USES ARE NOT FULLY SUPPORTED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3609.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3610 39-3610 GENERAL LIMITATIONS ON POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCES FOR WATER BODIES NOT FULLY SUPPORTING BENEFICIAL USES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3610.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3611 39-3611 DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD OR EQUIVALENT PROCESSES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3611.md)
- [Idaho Code § 39-3612 39-3612 INTEGRATION OF TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD PROCESSES WITH OTHER PROGRAMS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3612.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T39_C36_S39-3604. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.