Kootenai River Basin Adjudication (KRBA)

Idaho Code § 42-1406D, effective July 1, 2024, authorized the Idaho Department of Water Resources to petition the district court to commence an  adjudication of the water rights from surface water and ground water sources in the Kootenai River basin.   The statute concludes that

“ Effective management of the waters of the Kootenai River basin requires that a comprehensive determination of the nature, extent, and priority of the rights of all users of surface and ground water be determined.“

On November 13, 2024, the Idaho Supreme Court issued a Provisional Order appointing the Presiding Judge of the Idaho Water Adjudications in the Fifth Judicial District of the State of Idaho as the Presiding Judge over Kootenai River Basin Adjudication (KRBA).  The Presiding Judge of the Idaho Water Adjudications is currently Judge Eric Wildman.

A Petition to Commence the KRBA was filed on January 3, 2025.  On January 9, 2025, the Idaho Water Adjudications issued an order setting a hearing on the commencement order for April 15, 2025.