State water board holds final public meeting for sustainability plan

Fair use of water in Idaho is an issue that’s been going on for quite awhile. The state is working on a plan to make sure everyone uses water wisely. The Idaho State Water Board held its final public comment meeting for the plan on Wednesday evening at Chubbuck City Hall.

The water board said attendance was important because it’s the last chance people have to voice their concerns and suggestions before board members start working on the final draft of the plan.

The board has been working on adding a water sustainability plan for about two years. The goal is to draft a plan on how the state can be more conservative with water resources.

Board chairman Roger Chase said it’s important that people understand the issue and help provide feedback.

“What water we have in our state is all that we have,” Chase said. “Water’s real important to Idaho and if you live in Idaho you know how scarce it’s been this year. And our projections are that it’s going to be scarce for next year. We’re going to drain the reservoirs. They’re going to be empty and that means it’s pretty hard to refill them next year and so all of us need to be aware that we got to do a better job with our water.”

Written comments from the public will still be taken until Sept. 30. After that, the board will write up a final draft to take to the state legislature in November.

The general state water board meetings are also open to the public. For the first time ever, they’re being held in Pocatello also. The meetings will be Thursday and Friday at the Clarion Inn beginning at 8 a.m.

A link to the state’s full water plan can be found here.