Idaho House passes Water Resources budget with $30M for infrastructure projects
The Idaho House of Representatives voted 56-13 on Thursday to pass the Idaho Department of Water Resources budget with $30 million in new funding for water infrastructure projects.
Idaho water issues came to a head last May when the Idaho Department of Water Resources director issued a curtailment order requiring 6,400 junior water rights holders who pump off the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer to shut off their water in order to protect senior water rights holders from a forecasted shortfall.
The curtailment order was in place for about three weeks until the two sides reached an agreement that resolved the issue for 2024. The two sides then continued negotiations until the Surface Water Coalition and Idaho Groundwater Association reached a long-term settlement agreement last fall.
Then, in conjunction with his Jan. 6 State of the State address, Idaho Gov. Brad Little called for spending $30 million on water projects to increase water levels in the aquifer and support the settlement agreement.
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The $30 million was included in House Bill 445, the fiscal year 2026 budget enhancements for the Idaho Department of Water Resources, which the Idaho House took up Thursday.
Several legislators stood up on the House floor and made passionate speeches in favor of approving the funding and the budget.
'Water is the lifeblood of our state,' Rep. David Cannon, R-Blackfoot, said. 'Water is the lifeblood of my legislative district. There is no more urgent issue in the immediate term or in the medium term or in the long term to the state of Idaho than water. And in my view, House Bill 445, is one of the most important bills to come through this session. And I urge unity. I urge the state to join together on this issue for the betterment of Idaho and for the protection of Idaho water going forward.'
Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, an Idaho Falls Republican and chair of the Idaho Ground Water Appropriators, said there are more water projects than there is money to go around, and many projects take multiple years to complete. But Mickelsen said legislators have a responsibility to protect water resources. She described investments in water projects as investments in the state's overall economy.
'I had ancestors that came and dug the very beginning of the canals in Taylor, Idaho,' Mickelsen said. 'And now I sit here and I look and we're not going to sacrifice anything to keep these waterways and this aquifer healthy? We could have the problems of the Ogallala (Aquifer) that are in Nebraska and Kansas, and they are a declining resource that they may not be able to save. The lucky thing for Idaho is we have plenty of water, but we have to make the investment to protect the resource that we have.'
Not every legislator agreed with spending the money, however.
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'I understand the importance of water in our state,' Rep. David Leavitt, R-Idaho Falls, said. 'It is the lifeblood of our state. It's what makes everything function, every single industry. But the reality is this is $30 million. This is a massive amount of money. And with this money, we don't know where it's going to be spent.'
Several legislators pushed back, saying it is not true that the state doesn't know where the money is going or what the projects are for.
Page 2 of the bill, beginning on line 38, states projects shall prioritize aquifer recharge, groundwater management, development and rehabilitation of water storage and conveyance systems, including reservoirs, diversion structures, pipelines and canals, water supply and delivery improvements that enhance efficiency and conservation, emergency water repairs and upgrades to ensure the reliance of vital water systems.
Additionally, Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, passed out documents to all legislators Thursday outlining specific water projects.
'That's why I handed out the list of projects – so you all can see this is not a secret,' Horman said. 'If you're not knowing what these projects are, it's only because you're not looking. Here they are!'
After a passionate, hourlong debate the Idaho House voted 56-13 to pass the budget with the $30 million for water projects.
House Bill 445 heads next to the Idaho Senate for consideration.
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