North Idaho Water Adjudication Subject of Attention During 2008 Legislature

A number of bills that would amend current North Idaho Water Adjudication Law sponsored by legislators north of Kootenai County have been brought forward so far this legislative session. The Chamber has positioned itself in support of the current Adjudication process, fearing any attempts to amend or delay the effort could negatively impact Idaho and our region.

The bills include:

Defer the adjudication of domestic and stock waterusers http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1354.html

Participation in the northern Idaho wateradjudication of individual domestic water users voluntary
http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1277.html

Repealing the enacting legislation

http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1279.html

Narrow the focus of theNorth Idaho Water Adjudication to the Rathdrum Prairie

http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1278.html

Exempts mining water rights from forfeiture as long as the waterright owner has maintained the property and the mineral rightsfor potential future mineral development

http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1348.html

Provides that all domesticuses and all stock watering uses shall be exempt from all measuring deviceinstallation and maintenance and measuring and reporting relating tomeasuring requirements

http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1353.html

Delete reference to water rights adjudicationin the Kootenai and Clark Fork-Pend Oreille river basin

http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1249.html

Reducing filing fees
http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1353.html

Coeur d'Alene Press Article Regarding Aquifer Study Funds:

http://cdapress.com/articles/2008/01/30/news/news04.txt

There has even been some hint that legislation repealing Adjudication Law may be introduced, requiring individual basins to vote whether or not to adjudicate. We recognize many questions and opposition exists especially in areas north of Kootenai County. We encourage legislators and the Idaho Department of Water Resources to continue educate the public in these areas in tandem with continuing the Adjudication process currently in place.