Water funds proposed

On water issues, Gov. Butch Otter is calling for $12 million in funding for aquifer recharge next year - $10 million in a one-time transfer, plus $2 million a year in ongoing funding. “Mr. Speaker, Senator Bair and Chairman Chase of the Idaho Water Resource Board, I want to personally thank you for your efforts in bringing two water-user groups together to finally settle delivery calls from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer,” the governor said. “This historic settlement between the Surface Water Coalition and groundwater users will help ensure that the aquifer is a healthy and reliable resource now and well into the future. In fact, I would encourage others who are at odds over apportioning scarce resources to use this agreement as a template for addressing their own conflicts.”

He said the state water resource board will be holding public meetings across the state over the next year on a comprehensive state water plan – a “statewide sustainability policy.” “Preserving and protecting Idaho’s water is critical to our continued economic growth and increasing our prosperity,” he said.