Water Resource Board seeks public input for state plan

Water is a huge part of the economy in Idaho, and right now, the State Water Resource Board is asking for public input when it comes to updating the comprehensive water plan.

The plan is meant as a guideline to address all general, statewide issues. The current version was approved in 1996 and many say it’s outdated.

At a public hearing in Idaho Falls, board members outlined the new draft. About two dozen people showed up, a few of whom gave testimony about specific concerns.

Roger Chase, vice chair of the board, said the biggest change most people will notice is that the Salmon River and Clearwater River are now in their own section.

Chase said the issue most important to eastern Idaho is cloud seeding programs.

“Because there’s not a lot of ways to find new water sources, so if we can get new water to drop that helps us, and that’s an issue we could spend hours about,” said Chase. “It really doesn’t take water away from Wyoming if it drops in Idaho because there’s so much moisture up there in the sky.”

To check out the proposed plan or make a comment online, visit: http://www.idwr.idaho.gov/waterboard/WaterPlanning/StateWaterPlanning/State_Planning.htm.