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House returns joint memorial urging increased water storage across Idaho
Summary
The House returned Senate Joint Memorial 101, urging Congress and the administration to consider increased water storage capacity in Idaho after testimony about past flood and drought impacts in eastern Idaho.
The Idaho House unanimously returned Senate Joint Memorial 101 to the Senate after a floor presentation urging federal consideration of increased water storage in the state.
Representative (Sponsor of SJM 101) described recent water disruptions in eastern Idaho and recalled the 1976 Teton Dam failure, saying additional storage capacity could have prevented well shutoffs and related agricultural losses. He said 71,000 acre-feet of additional storage would have addressed recent shortages and listed potential projects including Minidoka and Jackson Lake.
The memorial asks Congress and the President to consider steps to increase storage and to work with local governments on projects. Members spoke in favor, and the House returned the memorial to the Senate by voice vote. Because the memorial does not appropriate funds, the House recorded the action by voice vote without a recorded roll call.
Supporters framed the memorial as a federal request to study and support additional water infrastructure to reduce the chance of future water supply disruptions in agricultural areas of eastern Idaho.
