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Idaho committee introduces RS to set Eastern Snake Plain aquifer recharge goal at 350,000 acre-feet
Summary
The House Resources and Conservation Committee voted to introduce RS 32-336 with changes directing the Idaho Water Resource Board to meet a recharge goal of 350,000 acre-feet for the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer for that irrigation season, or a higher goal if set and met by an approved state water plan.
The House Resources and Conservation Committee introduced RS 32-336, a request to set a managed‑aquifer recharge goal for the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer at 350,000 acre-feet that must be met for that irrigation season or until a higher goal is set by an approved state water plan and met.
Representative Stephanie Mickelson, who presented the RS, said the measure “simply directs the water board that they shall take their water when it's in priority to use it for recharge.” She asked the committee to remove the phrase “on average annual basis” and to require that the 350,000 acre-feet be met “for that irrigation season or a higher goal is set by an approved State Water Plan and met.”
Mickelson and other members told the committee the change is intended to create a minimum or floor for recharge before water that comes into priority can be diverted for other uses. Representative Mickelson said the state considers the aquifer to be in decline and the wording change is intended to ensure recharge occurs when water rights are in priority.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about terms and scope. One representative asked whether “irrigation season” is defined; Mickelson said the irrigation season (as laid out in state code) begins Nov. 1 and ends Oct. 30. The committee also discussed how rights that come into priority at different times relate to managed recharge on the Eastern Snake Plain.
Representative Vanders moved to introduce RS 32-336 with the stated amendment. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; the chair announced, “The ayes have it. It’ll be done.”
The meeting record shows substantial procedural activity earlier, including a motion to reconsider an earlier introduction to allow the corrected RS to be offered and then reintroducing a slate of other RS numbers. After approving RS 32-336, the committee introduced seven additional RSs by voice vote: RS 32-216, RS 32-307, RS 32-326, RS 32-266, RS 32-330, RS 32-270 and RS 32-237C1.
The RS introduced is a committee introduction; the transcript records the amendment language and the committee vote to introduce but does not record further referral, committee assignment, or subsequent legislative steps for the measure.
