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Committee approves amendment aligning conjunctive‑management rule with 2024 statute for Eastern Snake Plain area
Summary
The committee approved an amendment to the conjunctive‑management rule to align the rule text with a 2024 change to Idaho Code defining the area with a common groundwater supply for the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer.
The Idaho Senate Resources and Environment Committee approved an amendment to Rule 50 of the department’s conjunctive‑management rules (docket 3703112401) to align the rule text with section 42‑233C of Idaho Code. The statute, effective July 1, 2024, clarifies the geographic area recognized as having a common groundwater supply for the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer; the rule amendment makes the regulatory language consistent with that statute.
Eric Boe, Water Compliance Bureau Chief and rules regulation officer for the Department of Water Resources, told the committee the department initiated the amendment specifically to ensure the rule language is continuous with the statutory change. The department published the proposed amendment Oct. 2, 2024, and published the pending amendment without modification on Dec. 4, 2024.
Senator Van Orden asked whether the amendment simply aligns rule with last year’s statute; Boe confirmed that the amendment was intended only to ensure continuity between statute and rule. Senator Harris moved to approve the docket and Senator Cook seconded; the committee voice‑voted the motion with no recorded opposition and approved the amendment.
The amendment is targeted: it updates the rule’s territorial reference to match the statutory description of the Eastern Snake Plain common groundwater supply area, the department said.
