Senate panel hears two gubernatorial appointees for Idaho Board of Environmental Quality; vote deferred

The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee on an upcoming date heard testimony from two gubernatorial appointees — Lance Boylan of Kellogg and Dennis Lecombe of Idaho Falls — for seats on the Idaho Board of Environmental Quality. The committee deferred a confirmation vote and said members will schedule a future date to decide.

Both nominees outlined technical experience in environmental compliance, reclamation and water management and responded to committee questions about priorities and potential conflicts of interest. The nominations would begin terms on Dec. 1, 2024, and run through July 1, 2028, according to the announcement at the hearing.

Lance Boylan, who identified himself as living in Kellogg with his wife and four children, described more than a decade working in environmental roles in Idaho and across the U.S. He cited a bachelor of science in environmental engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, an EIT license earned in Colorado, and a professional environmental engineering license held since 2020. He described early work at Lucky Friday Mine in Mullan, Idaho, including daily monitoring under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, stormwater best-management practices design, tailings-impoundment inspections and hazardous-waste tracking. He later moved into closed-operations management overseeing reclamation projects across multiple states and, most recently, the Yukon Territory in Canada.

"It's long been a dream of mine to serve this great state in any capacity where I can do so competently," Boylan said during his remarks. He told senators his priorities would include ensuring that proposed rules, permits and statutes are aligned and that permit language offers regulatory clarity.

During questioning, Boylan described growth and pressure on Idaho's water systems, aging infrastructure and waste-management challenges as among the state's most pronounced environmental issues. He identified specific concerns for agriculture, including compliance with NPDES discharge requirements and phosphate management, and acknowledged he would need to learn more about some southern Idaho agricultural topics.

Dennis Lecombe introduced himself as a registered geologist who holds a master's degree in geology and has more than 20 years in environmental management. Lecombe said he has lived in Idaho for about seven years and currently works in the food-processing sector. He described Idaho's regulatory climate as collaborative and science-based and urged a pragmatic approach that protects the environment while allowing businesses to operate.

"It's a system of collaboration that both protects the environment and allows businesses to thrive," Lecombe said, adding that municipalities and industries have opportunities to reuse water and reduce waste through better practices and education.

Committee members asked each nominee to identify immediate priorities if confirmed. Both emphasized reviewing proposed rules against statute, prioritizing permit clarity and taking a broad, stakeholder-focused view on challenges that cross sectors — including mining, municipal wastewater, and agriculture.

Both nominees disclosed industry connections. Boylan told the committee he works for Hecla (a mining operator) and said he had included that information on his application to be fully transparent. Lecombe noted work in industry and referenced groups such as the Potato Sustainability Alliance when discussing outreach and education for agricultural water and fertilizer practices.

The committee did not take a confirmation vote at the hearing and said it will notify the nominees of the date when members will vote on the appointments.

Less urgent procedural items and additional rules review were expected to be scheduled at future hearings.