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Committee hears findings and mitigation plan aiming to recharge Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer; RS 32333C1 sent to print
Summary
Senator VanOrden presented RS 32333C1 describing conflicts between surface and groundwater users and a plan aiming to recharge the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer by about 350,000 acre-feet; the committee voted to send the request statute to print.
Senator VanOrden presented RS 32333C1 to the committee, framing it as a findings bill addressing conflicts between members of the Idaho Surface Water Coalition and ground water districts along the Eastern Snake Plain. He defined the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, described its connection to the Snake River, and attributed aquifer depletion to efficiency gains in canal systems.
VanOrden said the 2024 Stipulated Mitigation Plan would supersede the 2015 Settlement Agreement and described a recharge goal of approximately 350,000 acre-feet intended to increase flows to the Magic Valley. During discussion Senator Shippy asked whether water users who complied with agreement rules could nonetheless be curtailed because others violated the rules; VanOrden affirmed that could happen under the curtailment process.
Senator Adams moved to send RS 32333C1 to print; Senator Den Hartog seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. The minutes do not include detailed mitigation mechanics or fiscal estimates; further committee hearings should clarify implementation responsibilities, timelines, and any state or federal funding required.
