BOISE—Several hot-button local, state and federal water issues will be discussed during the Idaho Water Users Association’s annual Fall Water Law and Resource Issues Seminar Nov. 19-20.
An update on the EPA’s controversial Waters of the United States rule is expected to be the main attraction.
A panel of experts will discuss what the rule means and what’s next, after a federal court ruling earlier this month temporarily blocked the rule from taking place in all 50 states.
The panel, which will include an EPA representative and two legal experts, will examine all aspects of the rule.
“The EPA rule is one of the most hotly contested federal government moves in some time because of the threat that it poses to state sovereignty,” IWUA Executive Director Norm Semanko said. “That fact only guarantees the panel will be a hot-button attraction for folks attending the meeting.”
The seminar, which will be held in Boise, attracts a who’s who of people involved with water delivery in Idaho.
The IWUA represents 300 irrigation districts and canal companies, agribusinesses, hydropower and aquaculture interests and groups around the state that manage water supplies for more than 2 million acres of irrigated farmland.
The seminar is a great educational opportunity for people involved with water, said Idaho Water Resources Board Chairman Roger Chase,
“It’s a really important event (because) you get to hear from people who are experts on the issues, not only locally but regionally and nationally as well,” he said. “I really enjoy the event and always learn a lot there.”
Chase is on the seminar agenda and will update people on state efforts to recharge the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer. Aquifer recharge plays a big role in implementing the settlement between surface water users and junior groundwater pumpers resulting from a 2005 water call, he said.
“That’s a real important part of (the agreement),” Chase said. “We want to take some of that water that leaves the state and instead recharge it into the aquifer.”
Chase’s talk will be part of an overall presentation on water delivery calls in Idaho and settlement updates.
Idaho Department of Water Resources Water Distribution Section Manager Rob Whitney will discuss how the department handles complaints about unauthorized water uses.
“I’m going to talk about what department policy is related to enforcement of unauthorized uses of water and how the department is using technology...to address that issue,” he said.
University of Idaho Agricultural Economist Garth Taylor will provide an overview of irrigation use and agriculture in Idaho and said he wants to show just how big a player the state is in both areas.
For seminar details, visit www.iwua.org or call 208-344-6690.
Source: www.capitalpress.com