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Gubernatorial appointees testify on lake gates, invasive species and water management transparency
Summary
Appointees to lake commissions and the Idaho Water Resource Board described aging dam gates at Lake Pend Oreille, shoreline and septic concerns, Priest Lake maintenance, and water-resource management issues including recharge, bypass flows and cloud seeding. Committee will take confirmation votes at a later meeting.
Several gubernatorial appointees seeking confirmation spoke to the Resources & Environment Committee about infrastructure, invasive-species vigilance and water-management priorities.
Linda Mitchell, a long-time commissioner on the Pend Oreille, Priest, Lakes and Rivers Commission, told the committee she has watched Lake Pend Oreille for decades and described a cracked steel gate on the lake's outlet structure. She said the outlet gates were designed with an expected 50-year lifespan and are now about 70 years old; a spare gate has been installed and the cracked gate is being repaired. "If one of the gates fails, it will not be a catastrophe, but it will be an extreme condition," Mitchell said, adding that a gate failure could drop the lake level by about 11 feet from its normal summer pool and would have major local economic and property impacts. She said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and manages the dam and that federal action will be necessary for full replacement; she urged continued state engagement.
Craig Hill, reappointed to the Pend Oreille/Priest commission, described long-standing local work on the upper Priest Lake breakwater and on maintaining lake levels to protect fish spawning. He said the commission provides public meetings and education and that the community is vigilant about threats such as milfoil and invasive mussels.
Appointments to the Idaho Water Resource Board also spoke. Dean Stevenson introduced himself as a farmer and irrigator who represents District 3 on the board and discussed recharge and bypass activities intended to stabilize aquifers and support irrigation. Several senators pressed Stevenson on transparency for river bypasses and the practice of sending water downstream to enable recharge programs. Stevenson acknowledged past shortcomings in communicating those activities and said the board will work to improve transparency. He said some bypass/release activity has been coordinated with Idaho Power for cloud-seeding partnerships.
Mark Gibbs, a Water Resource Board member and former legislator, said restoring the aquifer is a priority and discussed larger water projects such as raising Anderson Ranch Dam (listed as a priority for the board) and expanding cloud seeding. Gibbs said data indicate cloud seeding returns of roughly 8–15% on effort in increasing snowpack and stressed the importance of continued cooperation among stakeholders.
Committee members thanked the appointees and said the committee will consider confirmation votes at a subsequent meeting; testimony in this session served as introductions and an opportunity to hear priorities and concerns.
