Vander Woude proposes far-reaching cuts at Water Resources

Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, has proposed additional cuts to the Idaho Department of Water Resources to match JFAC targets, even though the cuts would have such drastic impacts at IDWR as causing it to reduce well monitoring, cease work on creating water management districts already in the works, stop recording security interests in water right records, eliminate the stream channel alteration permitting program, which would invite the feds to take over enforcement, cut back dam safety emergency coverage and cease approving water right applications.

Rep. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, countered with a budget plan calling for a 1.4 percent cut in state general funds and a 0.2 percent increase overall. Vander Woude’s plan called for general-fund cuts of 3.6 percent and overall cuts of 0.6 percent. “I feel pretty strongly about this one,” Partrick said. “We’re not doing the job now, and we’ll do less with less money.” Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, said, “They’re taken really severe cuts in the past. Basic functions such as transfers and water bank operations, if we further cut them it would jeopardize their ability to do some of those things. It’s critical.”