Idaho Water News
Current Water Curtailment Order:
The 208 | Liquid assets: The fight for Idaho's water
Gov. Little sits down with East Idaho News to discuss water dispute, aquifer, and what's next
Water curtailment solution meeting brings parties together
‘This affects every single person.’ VanderSloot urges community, leaders to act on longterm water solution
Frank Vandersloot Statement at Melaleuca Freedom Celebration
“It’s a broken system” – Idaho farmer reacts to state water battle
Gov. Little signs executive order to protect Idaho water sovereignty
Gov. Brad Little holds news conference on water curtailment issue
VanderSloot: Why did the stock price of Idaho Power jump when governor told farmers he was turning off their wells?
Water Curtailment Order Lifted For East Idaho Farmers
Gov. Little applauds successful negotiations to avoid eastern Idaho water curtailment
Lt. Governor Bedke’s statement on ongoing water users’ negotiations for 2024’s water certainty
“There is still work to do” – Farmers moving forward after water curtailment cancelled
Stay informed with Idaho's latest water legislation, reservoir contents, major issues involving water rights, and more.
EIWRC News
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
The Coalition would like to welcome the following new members:
- International Farming, a farm investment company dating back to 1827.
- Idahoan Foods
- The Bank of Commerce
We appreciate the support of these new Coalition members and welcome their input and involvement.
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
Note: I am passing on information as contained in the East Idaho News and not expressing my or the Coalition’s opinion on its content.
In this first clip from East Idaho News, Frank VanderSloot accuses Idaho Power of blowing up the negotiations to develop a Groundwater Management Area Plan for the Eastern Snake Aquifer. That unfinished plan now goes to the Idaho Department of Water Resources, since no agreement was reached by the September 1 deadline. (This was a separate process from the negotiations to settle the water call with the Surface Water Coalition. Those farmer to farmer negotiations appear to be making good progress.)
This is a link to Idaho Power’s response to Frank VanderSloot’s accusations.
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
We would like to thank our local sponsors for helping with our Legislative Water College Tour, which the Coalition hosted yesterday, Aug 27, along with the Idaho Water Users Association.
Bank of Commerce
Idahoan Foods
Anheuser Busch
Dean Mortimer – Comfort Construction
In addition we would like to welcome the Bank of Commerce and Idahoan Foods as new members of the Coalition.
The support of all our members and sponsors is very much appreciated as we work to further the goals of the Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition, especially during these challenging times.
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
The Idaho Water Resources Board (IWRB) is offering grants for conversions from groundwater to surface water. If it is a hard conversion – meaning the well will no longer be used, the IWRB will pay up to 75%. If it’s a soft conversion – meaning the well will still be in place to use when needed – the IWRB will pay up to 50%. Details are on the following link:
IWRB Ground Water to Surface Water Conversion Grant Criteria
This program could be an excellent way to help irrigators convert irrigation back to surface water, where available. This can also help the Groundwater Districts meet the pumping reductions that will be required in upcoming plans.
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
Here are some links to coverage of Governor Little’s address to the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and the tractor demonstration against the State curtailment actions. Various reports claimed there were from 60 to 125 tractors in the demonstration.
This first link is from KIFI TV 8 and has a link to the governor’s address. I highly recommend you listen to the Governor’s talk and the thoughtful questions that were asked following it. There is also a link to the tractor demonstration.
This link is a report from the East Idaho News.
This link shows an interview on Fox Business with Blackfoot farmer, Brian Murdock. It starts with a review of previous coverage and then explains the reason for this demonstration.
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
The Idaho Department of Water Resources does a follow-up to their water supply forecast for the Surface Water Coalition in July and again in September. In this July order they find that the Twin Falls Canal now only has a predicted shortfall of 6,800 acre-feet vs. 74,100 in the April forecast. Therefore there is now no curtailment and the previous order is lifted.
Order Revising April 2024 Forecast Supply and Amending Curtailment Order (Methodology Steps 5 & 6)
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
Please see the attached Press Release from the Idaho Department of Water Resources.
News Articles - Stay current with all of the latest water news articles.
Current Water Curtailment Order
Thank you for visiting. To learn more about water related issues we face in Eastern Idaho, please visit our Idaho Water News page. If you wish to have a part in preserving our precious resources, please visit our Get Involved page.
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition 2024 Goals
- Participate actively in water legislation development and related political actions.
- Conduct water education for legislators including ESPA GMA plans and a Legislative Water College Tour in Eastern Idaho.
- Monitor and participate in the ESPA Groundwater Management Area process.
- Continue to fund an expert to participate on the ESPA Aquifer Modeling Committee, but with abbreviated reports.
- Help non-city municipal water providers find a better path to be a part of the SWC agreement and ESPA GMA.
EIWRC Mission Statement
The Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition understands the vital importance of water to Eastern Idaho's economy now and in the future. The coalition provides a strong and unified voice to protect water rights critical for economic growth in Eastern Idaho and promotes discussion and ideas that will best enhance the utilization of water for future economic development.
Contact the EIWRC
Financial Disclosure
The Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition was formed and registered in 2007 in the State of Idaho as non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. A similar designation under Section 501©(3) of the IRS code is pending. A letter verifying the tax-exempt status of the EIWRC can be obtained by contacting us at: Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition, c/o Keith Esplin, 593 East 5th South, Rexburg, ID 83440. Financial summary information for the Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition is contained in its annual report.