Boise (670 KBOI News) – The Idaho Legislature might not be done for the year, after all.
A long-bubbling water use issue is nearing a possible agreement between the two sides, says House Majority Leader Mike Moyle of Star.
If the agreement is reached, legislation will be needed to finalize it, which Moyle says could prompt Governor Otter to call a special session.
“There’s no deal yet, but they’re close to getting a resolution on the issue of the water in the Treasure Valley,” said Moyle. “That’s before the court right now, and both sides have come to a tentative agreement. But there’s a couple of things that need to happen. If they do get an agreement, and the Governor is willing to have a Special Session, there needs to be a bill passed to address some of the issues in the negotiated agreement.”
So a joint meeting of the House and Senate Resource committees will happen next week to work out details. No word on how quick — or long — the special session could be, if called.
The issue is whether spring flood releases from Lucky Peak Reservoir can be counted against the annual allotments of irrigation and agricultural water users.
