Simplot, Micron Apply For Water Rights

The J.R. Simplot Co. and Micron Technology have applied to the state for water rights that would allow them to pump a total of 30 cubic feet per second from the Boise River.

The two companies say the water would be used for irrigation, industry and to recharge the aquifer in the southeastern corner of town, the Idaho Department of Water Resources said Wednesday.

The water would come from a pump station to be located near the new state Highway 21 bridge. It then would be distributed to the Micron plant and Simplot property. It would be pumped only when water not already obligated to other rights is available, such as high runoff periods, the applications said.

The zone where the water is to be used is currently part of an aquifer management area established by Water Resources in 1994 due to declining groundwater levels. That effectively stopped any groundwater development in a 17-square-mile area of Boise.

Simplot would use 15 cfs for irrigation of a 1,000-acre area or to recharge into the ground. It would be treated to meet water quality standards and would replace groundwater currently used by Simplot, its application said.

Micron wants 15 cfs for use in its computer chip manufacture and for groundwater recharge. It would be treated at the plant for either purpose. Some untreated water also could be used for industry that does not require purification, such as cooling towers.

Both applications ask for a water right priority date of June 7, 1997. Water Resources will accept protests against the applications until Dec. 22.