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Legislature to print bill seeking limits on exempt domestic wells in Snake River Plain aquifer
Summary
Senators approved printing RS 32278, a complex draft aimed at addressing unregulated domestic well use in critical parts of the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer; sponsor said the bill follows three years of stakeholder work and would focus on curbing or regulating some exempt domestic uses in high‑impact areas.
Sen. Kelly Anthony (R‑District 27) introduced RS 32278, a legislative draft addressing exempt domestic water uses in the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer. The committee agreed to print the measure, which the sponsor said is a substantial package developed over three years with cities, counties, developers, water users and state agencies.
Anthony told the committee the draft focuses on domestic exempt uses — unpermitted wells drilled for single homes that may withdraw up to 13,000 gallons per day under current statute — and would look first at critical areas of the aquifer. He said there are roughly 55,000 such homes over the past two decades and that unmeasured exempt use represents a significant component of total aquifer withdrawals in some areas.
The sponsor described the bill as a major step toward starting to curb and manage those domestic exempt uses, including subdivision impacts in critical areas. Because RS 32278 is a print hearing, Anthony asked the committee to allow a full hearing later so stakeholders and agencies can review the detailed provisions.
Senator Harris moved to introduce and send RS 32278 to print; Senator Cook seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.
The printed draft will enable detailed committee hearings and stakeholder briefings. Proponents emphasized this is part of a multiyear, multi‑stakeholder effort to address aquifer health; the draft does not itself impose final restrictions until subsequent hearings and potential amendments.
