DEQ warns permit backlogs and turnover are slowing development; agency seeks targeted pay increases and staffing to stabilize permitting

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 1 that vacancies and staff turnover have increased permit processing times and that targeted pay adjustments, combined with a previously approved cost-of‑living component, are necessary to keep the agency competitive and to avoid delays that can slow business and infrastructure projects.

Director Jess Byrne told the committee that permitting programs have seen significant vacancies: about half of air‑permitting positions were vacant in the past year, the surface‑water individual permit program experienced roughly 60% vacancies, and turnover in several technical programs has lengthened permit review times. “The culprit of that essentially has been turnover,” she said, noting that hiring and training technical permit writers can take up to two years.

Why it matters: delayed permits can postpone construction and the installation of water and wastewater infrastructure. Committee members pressed DEQ for evidence that targeted pay increases would reduce backlogs and sought details on how fund balances and transfers are being used for…