Senate committee hears two nominees for Idaho Board of Environmental Quality; votes deferred

Vice Chair Senator Vierke, presiding over the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, conducted hearings on two gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Board of Environmental Quality on Oct. 12, 2025. The nominees — Lance Boylan of Kellogg and Dennis Lecum of Idaho Falls — introduced their backgrounds and answered questions from committee members. No confirmation votes were taken; the committee said it will set a date for a future vote.

The first nominee, Lance Boylan, identified himself as a resident of Kellogg and said he has worked in the environmental field in Idaho since 2011. "I'm both honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to be here before you today," Boylan said. He described technical experience at the Lucky Friday Mine and later roles overseeing site safety, water treatment design, tailings closure, reclamation and multi-state permitting. He said his portfolio later expanded to include reclamation projects across the United States and into the Yukon Territory.

Senator Shippey asked what Boylan saw as the "biggest threat" to Idaho’s environment; Boylan pointed to the state’s rapid growth, stressing pressures on water supply, water quality and aging infrastructure. When asked about agriculture, Boylan cited nutrient-management and water scarcity concerns and said he would need to "learn more" about some Southern Idaho agricultural issues. Boylan disclosed employment with Hecla and described that disclosure as "full transparency," acknowledging Hecla operates in Idaho and that potential conflicts would need to be managed.

The committee’s second nominee, Dennis Lecum of Idaho Falls, described himself as a registered geologist with more than 20 years’ experience in environmental management. "It's obvious that the regulatory climate here in Idaho has been intentionally curated over the years," Lecum said, describing Idaho’s approach as a "system of collaboration that both protects the environment and allows businesses to thrive." He pointed to recent water disputes as evidence of pressure on water quantity and quality and urged attention to reuse and conservation practices.

Committee members asked both nominees about immediate priorities. Boylan said he would focus on reviewing proposed rules for alignment with statute and on permit clarity; Lecum said he would first familiarize himself with the board’s business and then apply a "creative" approach to permit implementation that meets statutory requirements while allowing operational flexibility. Senator Zieterville asked each nominee to name three priorities; both provided general frameworks rather than enumerated, immediate action lists.

Vierke told both nominees the committee would set a future date for the confirmation vote.

Ending: The committee conducted the candidate hearings and deferred final action. The hearings were limited to introductions, background and committee questions; no board rules or regulatory proposals were decided during the session.