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Bannock County approves $15,000 to Portland Soil and Water; district outlines plan to refill Wiregrass Reservoir
Summary
The Bannock County Board of Commissioners approved a $15,000 support payment to the Portland Soil and Water Conservation District on March 31 after the district described projects including a proposal to reestablish Wiregrass Reservoir and a Polk Tillot Creek erosion project that will require matching funds.
At a March 31 meeting, the Bannock County Board of Commissioners approved a $15,000 support payment to the Portland Soil and Water Conservation District after the district presented its annual report and a slate of local projects.
Kevin Coster, chair of the Portland Soil and Water Conservation District, told the commissioners the district is exploring reestablishing Wiregrass Reservoir to put water back into the basin and potentially revive the area as a youth fishery. “They want to reestablish Wiregrass Reservoir. Put water back in Wiregrass,” Coster said, describing work on headgates, the canal and possible involvement by BLM and state agencies.
The district also reported that a Polk Tillot Creek Road erosion project—submitted two years earlier—has now been approved but will require a costly construction effort and matching funds from the property owner; the district asked for county help to ease the owner’s burden. Coster said the district’s focus is bank restoration on the Fort Neff River and advising small, southern-county communities on conservation needs.
A commissioner questioned a support letter included with the district’s packet that appeared to request funds from a city rather than the county; Coster apologized and said the wrong template had been used. Commissioners noted the $15,000 is budgeted for 2026 and moved to authorize the county expenditure. The motion passed on a voice vote; the board recorded the approval without a roll-call tally.
The district said it will convene a planning meeting that invites BLM, Fish and Game, the irrigation company, IDWR and other stakeholders to determine feasibility and next steps. Commissioners expressed support for the Wiregrass concept but noted many details—particularly BLM concurrence and matching fund arrangements—remain unresolved.
Next steps: the district will pursue the planning meeting and return with more detailed cost estimates and partner commitments before construction or major capital work begins.
