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Background on Petition for IDWR Action on Palouse Aquifers

Background on Petition for IDWR Action on Palouse Aquifers. Bob Haynes & Helen Harrington Idaho Department of Water Resources Presented to the North Idaho Legislative Working Group May 28, 2004. Petition. Received November 22, 2003 Submitted by a coalition of organizations:

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Background on Petition for IDWR Action on Palouse Aquifers

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  1. Background on Petition for IDWR Action on Palouse Aquifers Bob Haynes & Helen Harrington Idaho Department of Water Resources Presented to the North Idaho Legislative Working Group May 28, 2004

  2. Petition • Received November 22, 2003 • Submitted by a coalition of organizations: • Palouse Water Conservation Network • Friends of the Clearwater • Moscow Civic Association • Palouse Group of the Sierra Club • Idaho Conservation League, North Idaho Office

  3. Petition (cont.) • Requested eight actions be taken by the Director, IDWR

  4. Actions Requested by Petition • Designation deep aquifer (Grande Ronde aquifer) as a critical ground water area • Designation shallow aquifer (Wanapum aquifer) as a ground water management area • Impose moratorium on processing & approval of applications for permit from deep aquifer

  5. Actions Requested by Petition (cont.) • Impose moratorium on further development of existing permits • Reduce withdrawals from Grande Ronde aquifer to achieve sustainable pumping rate • Require metering and reporting of withdrawals • Rescind portions of Interagency Agreement

  6. Actions Requested by Petition (cont.) • Establish advisory committee with charge to: • Develop groundwater management plan • Develop water conservation plan • Develop requirements & conditions for permits • Provide forum for collecting/reviewing technical data • Develop public participation plan

  7. Designations • Critical Ground Water Area: an area which does not have sufficient ground water to provide a reasonably safe supply for irrigation of cultivated lands or other uses at current or projected rates of withdrawal • Idaho Code Section 42-233a • Ground Water Management Area: an area approaching a critical ground water area • Idaho Code 42-233b

  8. Designations • Adoption of management plan can provide for protection against forfeiture of water rights (Idaho Code 42-223(4)) • Director may administer water rights by priority, with advance notice (Idaho Code 42-233a, b) • Director may deny/restrict applications for permit • Reporting can be required

  9. Designation Process • GWMA • Director, IDWR, designates by Order • No public hearing or meeting required • Order may be appealed • CGWA • Director, IDWR designates by Order • Hearing required after issuance of Order • Order may be appealed

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