ID SCR135

The Legislature supports the June 30, 2015 settlement agreement between the Surface Water Coalition (surface water rights holders) and Idaho Ground Water Appropriators, Inc. (ground water rights holders) to resolve litigation and water delivery calls on the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA).

The ESPA has declined for over six decades due to increased ground water diversions and surface water irrigation, creating inadequate water supplies for irrigation, aquaculture, hydropower, municipal, and industrial uses that would cause severe economic harm if curtailed.

Ground water users committed to reduce ground water diversions from the ESPA to meet water level goals and benchmarks established in the settlement agreement.

The Legislature supports state management to ensure ESPA water supply issues are timely addressed and commits to the goal of stabilizing and reversing the trend of declining ESPA water levels.

Implementation of the settlement agreement is expected to achieve sustainable water supplies and minimize economic harm from water supply shortages in Idaho.