IWRB is charged with the development of the Idaho Comprehensive State Water Plan. The plan includes the statewide water policy plan and associated component basin and water body plans which cover specific geographic areas of the state.
On November 28, 2012, IWRB adopted a revised Idaho State Water Plan. The revised plan is the result of extensive public involvement and reflects the changing landscape of water in Idaho. The 2012 plan updates many policies from previous plans and adds policies related to new water management issues.
- State Water Plan – Adopted November 28, 2012
2025 Proposed Changes to the State Water Plan and Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Comprehensive Management Plan
The 2025 Idaho Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 110 directing the Idaho Water Resource Board to revise State Water Plan policies 4B, 4D, and 4E and the ESPA Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan to establish a state-funded ESPA managed recharge goal of 350,000 acre-feet on an average annual basis.
Staff has discussed these changes to the State Water Plan (SWP) and the ESPA Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan (CAMP) with the Planning Committee in June 2025 and the Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) in July 2025.
- Proposed Changes to SWP and ESPA CAMP – July 2025
Schedule:
- Public Hearing in Idaho Falls – July 23, 2025 (Agenda)
- Public Hearing in Twin Falls- TBA/coordinated with the September Board meeting
- Public Meeting to Review Comments on the Proposed Plan – TBA/Oct through Dec
- Public Meeting to Finalize the Proposed Plan and Approve – TBA/Oct through Dec
- Present Final Plan to Legislature- Jan 1
Comments can be submitted:
- Through e-mail to SWP@idwr.idaho.gov;
- Through mail to IWRB, ATTN: SWP, PO Box 83720-0098, Boise, ID 83720-0098;
- Through testimony at one of the scheduled public hearings.
The public comment period commenced on Wednesday, June 20, 2025, and remained open through the close of business on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
2016 Addition of a Sustainability Section to the State Water Plan
At the request of Governor Otter, IWRB has developed a proposed change to the Idaho State Water Plan through the addition of a new Sustainability section. The proposed Sustainability section is the result of a robust public involvement process.
- Proposed Sustainability Section to the SWP – May 2016
- Boise Agenda, Audio – June 7, 2016
- Hailey Agenda, Audio – June 13, 2016
- Twin Falls Agenda, Audio – June 28, 2016
- Sandpoint Agenda, Audio – July 20, 2016
- Lewiston Agenda, Audio – August 23, 2016
- Idaho Falls Agenda, Audio – August 30, 2016
- Chubbuck Agenda, Audio -September 14, 2016
- Written Comments and Exhibits on Proposed Sustainability Policy – 2016
- Summary of Public Comments regarding Proposed Sustainability Policy – 2016
- Final Sustainability Section – Adopted November 2, 2016
The public comment period commenced on Friday, May 20, 2016, and remained open through the close of business on Friday, September 30, 2016.
Public Hearings
2012 Revision Process
During the public comment period from June 18, 2012 through September 21, 2012, seven public hearings were held and written comments and exhibits were submitted. After considering the comments and testimony, the assigned board committee made recommendations that are reflected in the current plan.
Testimony Recordings
For more information about these and other public hearings, visit the Board Hearings page.
