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ID S1345
Bill
Status
2/10/2014
Primary Sponsor
Resources and Environment Committee
Click for details
AI Summary
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Authorizes water releases and diversions from natural watercourses, storage reservoirs, and canals without a water right for fire suppression on private or public lands and structures, with coordination with owners to prevent injury to beneficial water uses where practicable.
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Permits diversions from natural watercourses for forest practices and dust abatement as defined in Idaho Code section 38-1303(1), limited to 0.2 acre-feet per day from a single watercourse, with prohibition on diverting from canals or irrigation facilities where water is lawfully controlled by an appropriator.
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Allows releases and diversions from natural watercourses or storage reservoirs into water delivery or drainage facilities for flood control to protect life or property from flooding without requiring a water right.
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Requires notice to watermasters or irrigation delivery entities before diverting water for forest practices under subsection (3)(b), except for fire suppression uses where notice is optional but encouraged when reasonable.
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Establishes that water releases and diversions under exemptions shall not be attributed to water right satisfaction unless the water is put to beneficial use at the place of use described in the water right.
Legislative Description
Amends existing law to provide for releases and diversions for specified reasons to protect public health and safety, to provide that if water is taken from a delivery system it must be coordinated with owners of the system and to provide that certain releases and diversions shall not be attributed or charged to the satisfaction of a water right unless certain conditions are met.
WATER
Last Action
Reported Printed; referred to Resources & Environment
2/11/2014