New eastern Idaho groundwater management area being considered

The Idaho Department of Water Resources is thinking about forming a new ground water management area to address declining water levels in the East Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA).

The area would also include water sources that are hydraulically connected to the aquifer.

Water levels in the aquifer and spring discharge have been declining since the 1950’s and that has led to multiple legal water calls by entities with senior water rights.

The department has scheduled a series of public meetings to discusss the proposal.

“The water calls have led to crisis management and IDWR would like to work toward a more comprehensive management system,” said IDWR Director Gary Spackman. “Water calls are a poor way to manage the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer. We are looking fo find ways to manage the ESPA in a more proactive fashion.”

Spackman said the department is looking for input on whether the aquifer is approaching a condition where there is insufficient supply to meet existing water rights and, if so, what the boundaries of a ground water management area should be.

Ten public meetings were scheduled.

Public meetings are scheduled :
Monday
Hailey 8:30 to 11 a.m. Community Campus Building
Arco 2:30 to 5 p.m. Butte County High School Auditorium
Mud Lake 7 to 9:30 p.m. West Jefferson High School
Tuesday
Rexburg 8:30 to 11 a.m. AmericInn Lodge & Suites
Blackfoot 2 to 4:30 p.m. Blackfoot Senior Center
Pocatello 7 to 9:30 p.m. Best Western at 1415 Bench Road.
Wednesday:
Downey 9 to 11:30 a.m. Marsh Valley Senior Center
Malta 3 to 5:30 p.m. Raft River High School Auditorium
Burley 7 to 9 p.m. Best Western/Burley Inn & Convention
Thursday
Jerome 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jerome Middle School