Idaho aquifer blueprint could
cost $100 million
Plan released Thursday now open for public review
Sunday, November 9, 2008 12:30 AM PST
TWIN FALLS (AP) — Members of the Idaho Water Resources Board have approved a plan for managing a vast underground aquifer in southern Idaho that will cost up to $100 million in its first 10 years.
The board released the draft Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan for the Lake Erie-sized Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer on Thursday.
The plan is now open for public review before going to the 2009 Legislature for consideration.
Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, co-chairwoman of the legislative Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, said lawmakers might be able to cover the cost of the plan’s first year.
‘‘I have to have some faith in the people on that water board,’’ Bell told The Times-News, noting that not doing anything could cost more in the long run.
Drought and more than a half-century of groundwater pumping have depleted the aquifer, causing surface water users to accuse groundwater users of illegally taking water rights.
The plan aims to recharge the aquifer through various projects and making changes in how water from the aquifer is used. Eventually, the plan calls for changing how 600,000 acre-feet of water is used.
An acre foot is enough water to cover one acre with a foot of water.
The plan released by the board would cost $7 million to $10 million per year over the first 10 years. About $3 million each year would come from state appropriations for a water fund.
The rest, according to the plan, would be covered by water users, including cities, Idaho Power, and irrigators.
Idaho Power generates power with hydroelectric facilities on the Snake River, which gets some of its water from the aquifer.
The plan also lists federal grants as a possible source of more money.
Rep. Bert Stevenson, R-Rupert, said he thought lawmakers could find money for the plan for the first year.
‘‘We’ll just have to see, see how it plays out,’’ said Stevenson, chairman of the House Resources and Conservation Committee.
Hal Anderson, administrator for the Idaho Department of Water Resources, said the cost beyond the 10-year plan could eventually add up to more than $600 million.
He said the agency is also devising plans for six other aquifers in the state. He said those plans should be less complex because water from those aquifers, unlike the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, hasn’t been overappropriated.
