08/03/07 Schroeder will preside over water cases

One day after he retired from the Idaho Supreme Court former Chief Justice Gerald Schroeder agreed to take on a new task. He has been appointed as the independent hearing officer involving two water delivery calls for the Thousand Springs area and the Surface Water Coalition. SCHROEDER "The complexity I think is great I'm expecting both factually and legally. I've cleared the plate so I'm not going to be diverted into anything else other than some sleep and a little bit of play." Schroeder has deliberated over 30 major water law cases before the Idaho Supreme Court, ten of which he authored. Water Resources Director David Tuthill says the former Chief Justice was chosen because of his distinguished service as a long time member of the Idaho judiciary, his familiarity with the rules of administrative procedure and water rights law. TUTHILL "He is responsible to review the records. In these cases we have received literally hundreds of legal filings over the last few years and he is responsible to maintain the hearing process in an orderly manner." Tuthill says all parties involved have agreed to new hearing dates. For the Thousand Springs case it begins on November 28th while January 16th is the date for the Surface Water Coalition call. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott