Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke discusses a potential new water mitigation plan with the Idaho Legislature’s Natural Resources Interim Committee on Oct. 28, 2024, in Boise. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)
Following a major water showdown this spring, Idaho farmers have reached a potential agreement over a new water mitigation plan that could protect farmers from having their water shut off during growing seasons, state officials announced Monday.
Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, and Idaho Water Resource Board Chairman Jeff Raybould outlined the potential agreement during the Idaho Legislature’s Natural Resources Interim Committee meeting Monday afternoon at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
“We have a document that we have put out that we can be proud of and in a full-throated way defend,” Bedke said durIng Monday’s meeting.
“This is important,” Bedke added. “The state has issued property rights based on this water and we are all duty-bound to protect property rights.”
The potential agreement is not yet final and is not yet a public document, state officials said Monday. Instead, the potential agreement is being drawn up in contract form and will be sent to the members of groundwater and surface water districts for ratification in mid-November, Bedke and Raybould said.