07/14/06 Millions for water storage study

With only one dissenting vote, the US House has passed legislation that earmarks three million dollars for water shortage studies on the Snake, Boise and Payette Rivers. Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Butch Otter sponsored the bill. OTTER "To see if there are additional places that we can either change the infrastructure on dams like maybe raising the dam six, eight, ten feet or maybe a place for off stream storage." Norm Semanko of the Idaho Water Users Association says population growth in the Treasure Valley and recharge of the Snake Plain Aquifer makes it imperative that feasibility studies be conducted. SEMANKO "Someone who needs the water whether it's a municipality, an irrigation interest, environmental community, who ever might need the additional water would need to step up as a local sponsor and provide up to half of the money needed for the study." Otter says Senator Larry Craig has the bill in committee now and will push for its passage this year. OTTER "I think that he is probably going to look at attaching that as an amendment not a stand along bill like mine was." Today in Twin Falls the Idaho Water Resource Board gets an update on progress to develop a management plan for the aquifer. The Idaho legislature last winter directed the board to develop such a plan. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott