IDWR PUBLIC HEARING AUGUST 16, 2011 HAILEY, ID

Agenda Area of Concern What is a Water Measurement District? Reasons for district creation in area of concern Rights/Uses proposed to be included Timeline Proposed measurement/district requirements

Proposed District Area

Water Measurement Districts Chapter 7, Title 42, Idaho Code Created by order of Director of IDWR for purposes of measurement and reporting water use only. (Legislation effective 1995, 3 districts created in the ESPA in 1996 which have since transitioned to water districts)

Water Measurement Districts Features Created in areas where measurement is required by Director but where water rights are not yet adjudicated. Eventually replaced by water districts. Similar to Water Districts in method of creation and organization Certain uses/entities may be excluded from districts but obligated to measure and report to IDWR including: - hydropower, aquaculture, instream use - water districts, ground water districts and irrigation districts

Water Measurement Districts Features Hydrographers elected annually to provide measurement and reporting services - compensated by users via assessments - receive guidance/direction from Director - have no regulatory authority - report unauthorized diversions, excessive uses

Water Measurement Districts Features Annual meetings to elect hydrographer and advisory committee, adopt budget and resolutions - committee comprised of water users in district - serve in advisory capacity to hydrographer and director, draft and implement resolutions etc Annual measurement & budget reports required Assessments - $25/diversion¹ and pro-rata charge against water right diversion rate ¹ charge can be up to $50/diversion by resolution of users

Reasons for a Measurement District in Upper Wood River Basins Requested by senior surface water right holders in Wood River Basin (IDWR Administrative Basin 37) - also requesting gw rights be included in water district and conjunctive administration of gw & sw rights Limited water supplies: stream flows and ground water levels declining over time Increased growth and demand for water over time Potential unauthorized diversions/uses in the area

Reasons for a Measurement District in Upper Wood River Basins Surface water rights/diversions in area already measured Ground water rights/diversions in Basin 37 ESPA area already measured SRBA nearing completion - gw rights in area will be included in a water district Measurement district is intermediate step to water district IDWR considering expansion of ESPA common gw supply area including Upper Wood River Basins

Area of Notice Over 500 Notices Sent (GW Right Holders Only) Excluding domestic and stock ground water rights, and other non-irrigation rights <= 0.24 cfs diversion rate

Number of Ground Water Rights & Wells in Area About 800 ground water rights total About 750 unique well locations total (per water rights) 537 ground water rights & over 500 wells with irrigation use > 5 acres and/or diversion rate > 0.24 cfs 258 ground water rights & over 230 wells with irrigation use < 5 acres Total water rights cfs (gross) ≈ 915 cfs Note: some gw rights/wells already administered by WD37

District Creation: Rights/uses proposed for inclusion All ground water rights/diversions in proposed district boundary except: Deminimis domestic and stock water rights/uses single household domestic & up to ½ acre of irrigation Non-irrigation rights/uses less than or equal to 0.24 cfs

Measurement Requirements Proposed Measuring devices installed on irrigation diversions greater than 5 acres – by 2013 irrigation season Measuring devices installed on non-irrigation diversions greater than 0.24 cfs – by 1/1/2013 Users submit measurement plans to district hydrographer for individual wells in 2012 Users may request variances or alternative methods subject to IDWR guidelines & hydrographer approval

Creation Timeline (Measurement District) Mail individual notice Publish notice in local papers (two weeks) Hold hearing at least ten days after notice Ten day comment period Issue order Form Steering Committee for annual meeting Issue notice of annual meeting and conduct meeting to elect hydrographer and adopt budget

District Creation Measurement District meeting is fist Monday of November, by law, or Between first Monday of November & fourth Monday of February, by district resolution Director can schedule special meeting or first meeting at any time

Hydrographer Requirements Elect hydrographer with qualifications/experience in: Water measurement Water rights Project management Minimum Computer proficiency Good interpersonal skills

District Requirements Office & Field Equipment PC or Laptop with DSL/broadband Internet access Telephone/cell phone, answering machine, copier Vehicle (4 x 4 truck) Flow meter (closed conduit required, open channel recommended) GPS reciever Ground water level probe(s) Camera

Hydrographer Duties First Year Inventory of wells/water rights Review of measurement plans Approve plans/variances or provide recommendations Report potential unauthorized uses to IDWR Provide reports/budgets/assessments per law Second Year Flow meter or measurement compliance checks Provide some flow meter calibration Report potential unauthorized uses to IDWR Report wells not in compliance with IDWR measurement orders Provide reports per law – measurement, budgets, assessments

Personnel About $25 - $30K/yr recommended Field/Office Equip/mileage/other Minimum $20K for first yr recommended Recommend total budget of about $50K Potential Budget/Costs