03/15/06 Aquifer recharge bills introduced

Idaho House Speaker Bruce Newcomb wants to divert Snake River water away from Idaho Power's dams to replenish the aquifer in eastern and central Idaho. Newcomb introduced a pair of bills that would reverse what he says was a mistake in 1994 when the legislature gave Idaho Power the water right over aquifer recharge. If passed Newcomb's bills let Idaho Power customers foot the recharge bill through higher power fees. Governor Dirk Kempthorne is trying to negotiate a recharge agreement with Idaho Power but under his proposal the utility could get 1.6 million taxpayer dollars for the hydropower that's lost. Kudos to Idaho kids. They brought in thousands of milk caps from home and took them to school during the four week Super Bones Challenge. One thousand dollar grants went to the four divisional winners who were determined up by student population. Sweet Montour Elementary, McGhee Elementary in Lewiston, Ucon Elementary in Idaho Falls and Oakwood/Pioneer Elementary in Preston were winners. In a random drawing Idaho dairymen gave Ucon an additional two thousand dollar grant to help improve cafeteria and physical education equipment. Thousands of Idaho students took the challenge to maximize bone health during the 3-A-Day of Dairy program. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott