ID S1050

Amends Idaho Code Section 42-201 to allow water diversion from natural watercourses without a water right for firefighting purposes (extinguishing existing fires or preventing fire spread) and for forest practices and forest dust abatement.

Limits forest practices and forest dust abatement water diversions to 0.2 acre-feet per day from a single watercourse and prohibits diversion from canals or irrigation facilities while water is lawfully controlled by the appropriator.

Requires notice to the watermaster or irrigation delivery entity before diverting water for forest practices, except for firefighting uses which do not require notice but may be provided when reasonable.

Allows water right holders to petition the Department of Water Resources director if authorized uses cause injury to their water rights, with the director having authority to order cessation or modification of the use.

Clarifies that municipalities, sewer districts, and canal operators may use water without separate water rights for specific purposes including sewage/stormwater collection and incidental hydroelectric generation, provided certain conditions and notice requirements are met.