03/07/07 Water summit coming soon

Governor Butch Otter hopes to bring the water factions together for a summit so they can work out a plan for Idaho water policy. The Idaho Supreme Court's landmark decision handed down this week clears the way for the Governor to get surface and groundwater users to sit down and resolve some age old disputes. Otter's spokesman Jon Hanian says the summit could take place soon, probably before the Idaho legislature adjourns later this month. The Supreme Court says conjunctive management rule for surface and groundwater use is constitutional, overruling District Court Judge Barry Wood who said just the opposite last year. The Supreme Court also said that the state cannot force junior water right users to shut off their water just because senior right holders call for their share. The court says those first in time users have an obligation to put the precious resource to beneficial use. It may take some time for the legislature, water districts, irrigation districts, farmers and ranchers to figure it all out. What the Supreme Court is telling potential water summit attendees is that water has to be allocated on the first in time, first in line doctrine but also on the basis that best serves the people of Idaho. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott