Transportation Issues Making Waves in Boise

Betsy Russell reports on her "Eye on Boise" Blog that transporation issues are the center of attention today with discussion centered around a number of Gov. Otter proposals. The Chamber supports efforts by the legislature to find additional funding for the plethora of road projects across the state. You can read more about the Governor's proposals HERE.

Housing Issues in the West

CNN highlighted the issue of affordable workforce housing in a recent article that can be viewed HERE. The Chamber continues to be involved in the issues of affordable housing here in Kootenai County including support for H0438 which would ensure affordable housing units are financially viable options for project owners.

New Comprehensive Plan Chapters Available Online

The County has just announced that additional chapters to the Comprehensive Plan Update are now available online. Added chapters include Hazardous Areas, Private Property Rights and an Addendum to Public Services, Facilities, Utilities. To view these chapters or the other ten chapters already online please visit: http://www.kcgov.us/departments/planning/newcompplan.asp

Adjudication Will Move Forward Unhindered

Legislation that would have severely impeded the North Idaho Water Adjudication Process failed in the Senate Resources and Environment Committee today. Three bills were passed, but have limited impact on the eventual adjudication process in North Idaho. A full description of today's committee meeting can be read online at the Eye on Boise Blog via the following address:
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/boise/archive.asp?postID=7156#comments

Business and Community Leaders Hit Boise for Annual Chamber Days Event

Over twenty North Idaho business and community leaders joined a statewide delegation in Boise January 27th-29th for Chamber Days at the Legislature. This annual event put on by the Idaho Chamber Alliance in conjunction with the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce serves to provide an opportunity to present business issues to legislators and department heads.

Among the top issues on the agenda for this year’s event were economic and workforce development. To that end the Alliance arranged for Charlie Nipp, Chairman of the Board, Lake City Development Corporation to be the feature speaker at the annual ICA Luncheon with 350 people in attendance. Additionally, Tom Luna, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Mike Rush, State Administrator for Professional Technical Education were among the presenters during the delegation’s stay in Boise. Additional side meetings were set up with Chairs of key committees including Transportation, Education, Tax and Revenue, and Joint-Finance and Appropriations.

New Adjudication Bill Opposed by Chamber

Legislation was sent to print Friday that would require an advisory vote by each basin in North Idaho in order for the adjudication process to commence. The Chamber opposes any legislation that would hinder, or derail water rights adjudication. On behalf of our members we will be sending a letter to the Senate Resources and Environment Committee opposing S1417. We encourage businesses and individuals to do the same. You can submit written testimony to the committee secretary Juanita Budell via email at jbudell@senate.idaho.gov.

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.