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Brian Olmstead testifies at reappointment hearing for Idaho Water Resource Board seat
Summary
Brian Olmstead, a Twin Falls farmer and former Twin Falls Canal manager, appeared before the Senate Resources & Environment Committee for his gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Water Resource Board and discussed Milner Dam flows and transparency concerns.
Brian Olmstead, of Twin Falls, appeared before the Senate Resources & Environment Committee as a gubernatorial reappointment nominee to the Idaho Water Resource Board.
Olmstead described his background as a fourth-generation Idaho farmer, manager of Twin Falls Canal through 2021, and a current board member seeking another term. He said he had been appointed by Gov. Little and approved previously and that he intends to continue serving on the board.
Senator Guthrie asked Olmstead about transparency and the episode in which water was spilled past Milner Dam for power generation. Olmstead acknowledged the controversy and said he agreed transparency could have been better: “I think that decision should be, you know, we should have started sooner. We should have had more input from the legislators, from the governor possibly.”
Olmstead discussed recharge potential and operational flexibility at Milner Dam, estimating the Lower Valley could recharge roughly 200,000 acre-feet in many years with existing sites and winter flows, and said recharge at Milner mainly benefits springs at Hagerman while recharge above American Falls provides larger mitigation benefits to the ESPA.
The committee did not vote on the nomination at this meeting; confirmation was deferred to the committee—s next meeting.
