Idaho Bills

States findings of the Legislature and reaffirms Idaho's rights under the Bear River Compact.

RS33678 / HCR034 This resolution asserts Idaho’s water rights under the Amended Bear River Compact, which was signed by Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, and ratified by Congress in 1980. It directs Idaho’s Bear River Commissioners to strictly interpret and enforce the irrigation reserve water elevation statutes for Bear Lake, and urges Idaho to invest in the equipment necessary to measure and quantify Bear River water. It also directs the Idaho Water Resources Board to: 1.) 1.) Prepare two reports relating to current Bear River water development, water supplies, addressing state water needs, and prioritizing future Bear River water projects; 2.) Prioritize and develop feasibility studies for identified Bear River water projects for new surface storage sites, off-stream storage, and aquifer recharge, using Idaho’s Bear River Compact water allocation, and without harming Bear Lake; 3.) Allocate funds from the $30 million transfer to the Water Management Account to support implementation; and 4.) Confer with legislative leadership prior to entering into any agreement with any power utility or the states of Utah or Wyoming on the use or management of the Bear River or Bear Lake.