1. Importance of Flood-irrigation to Continental Bird Populations
Potential for Resource Collaboration In Southern Idaho

2. Important Elements of ESPA Water Agreement
Water users are expected to achieve a ~14% reduction over 10 years – ONUS ON THE USERS
‘Managed Recharge’ vs. ‘Incidental Recharge’
Conversion from flood (Incidental Recharge) does not detract from Total Recharge
Managed Recharge projects cannot be established on previously irrigated ground
Managed Recharge projects are not designed with wildlife habitat considerations

3. Guiding Elements Hydrologic math and ticking clock
Bird use is not necessarily compelling
Within existing adjudicated water rights
Sites are strongly dictated by high infiltration rates and have already been largely identified
We select shallow groundwater sites with near surface water; they select deep groundwater sites with high storage capacity
Landowners / Districts / User groups / IDWR

4. Maintenance of Overcharged Aquifer

5. Recharge Prioritization Sites

6. Core Partnership Resources
Programmatic Planning
Real Estate
Applied Science
Fee title acquisition
GIS Analysis and Mapping
Land exchange
Landowner Outreach
Leasing
SWAT Partnership Biologists
Conservation Easements / Deed Restrictions
Funding Procurement
Engineering
State and Federal Wildlife Funds
Survey and Design (irrigation infrastructure)
Federal Wetland Habitat Restoration Funds
Permitting
NRCS RCPP and Special Initiatives
Bidding and Contracting
Construction Oversight
‘In-kind’ service

7. ESPA Stabilization RCPP

8. Prospective Partnership Actions
Collaborate with respective irrigation districts
Increase delivery on flood-irrigation private lands projects
Design of Managed Recharge projects
Rigby Trapezoid
Work to have agreement quantify ‘Incidental Recharge’
Deter funding to support conversions
Headwater projects (beaver analogs) outside of aquifer

9. Rigby Trapezoid and Giant Feeder Cells

10. Additional Actions??? Specific projects? Additional partners?
Individual irrigation districts
Additional partners?
Bureau of Reclamation
Fisheries stakeholders
Expand across southern Idaho?
Lower Boise study
Six Rivers Confluence Area