Comprehensive Aquifer Management Planning

Comprehensive Aquifer Management Planning (CAMP)

The 2008 Legislature approved House Bill 428 and House Bill 644 establishing the Statewide Comprehensive Aquifer Planning and Management Program (Idaho Code § 42-1779) and the Aquifer Planning and Management Fund (Idaho Code § 42-1780). This legislation authorized characterization and planning efforts for ten different basins from 2008 through 2018.

The Comprehensive Aquifer Planning and Management Program was designed to provide IWRB and IDWR with the necessary information to develop plans for managing groundwater and surface water resources into the future. The program had two phases:

A technical component to characterize the surface water and groundwater resources of each basin
A planning component to integrate the technical knowledge with an assessment of current and projected future water uses and constraints

At the culmination of this program, the intent was to develop long-range plans for conjunctively managing the water resources of each basin by integrating hydrologic realities with the social needs. These water management plans were designed to address water supply and demand issues looking out 50 years into the future, and investigated strategies which will lead to sustainable water supplies and optimum use of the water resources.

Active CAMP

Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer CAMP

The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan

The ESPA is a key element of southern Idaho’s economy and covers approximately 10,800 square miles of Idaho. The ESPA region produces approximately 21% of all goods and services within the State of Idaho—resulting in an estimated annual value of $10 billion. Water is the critical element for this productivity.

For a variety of reasons, groundwater levels in parts of the ESPA declined, leading to a cumulative decrease in aquifer storage, decreased spring flows, and changing Snake River flows that resulted in insufficient water supplies to satisfy existing beneficial uses. IWRB , at the request of the Idaho State Legislature, prepared and submitted a Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan to address the water supply-and-demand imbalance.

Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan

In 2009, the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan was passed into law by the Idaho State Legislature. The plan establishes a long-term program for managing water supply and demand in the ESPA through a phased approach to implementation, together with an adaptive management process to allow for adjustments or changes in management techniques as implementation proceeds. Because of the inherent complexities in the management and responses of the river and aquifer to water budget changes, a very deliberate choice was made to incrementally implement the various mechanisms proposed in the plan.

The Goal of the plan is to: Sustain the economic viability and social and environmental health of the Eastern Snake Plain by adaptively managing a balance between water use and supplies.

The objectives of the plan are to:

Increase predictability for water users by managing for a reliable supply.
Create alternatives to administrative water-use curtailment.
Manage overall demand for water within the Eastern Snake Plain.
Increase recharge to the aquifer.
Reduce withdrawals from the aquifer.

ESPA CAMP Process

IWRB was tasked by the Idaho Legislature with developing an Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan. The Legislature wanted to establish public policy as a settlement framework for future management of the ESPA. In 2007, IWRB presented a framework to the Legislature and in 2009, IWRB presented the Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan.

Legislation

On August 10, 2006, IWRB hired CDR Associates of Boulder, Colorado to facilitate the ESPA Management Plan development.

Framework Development

After a series of public meetings with stakeholders, IWRB presented the ESPA Plan Framework to the Legislature on February 14, 2007. The framework recognized that supply of and demands for water are out of balance in the Eastern Snake River Plain and the connected Snake River, making more deliberate and coordinated management of surface waters of the Snake River and the underground waters of the ESPA a necessity. The framework set forth the overarching goals and objectives adopted by IWRB for the management of the ESPA.

The ESPA Plan

Guided by the goals and objectives in the framework, the Advisory Committee identified and considered opportunities for managing available water supply and demand to address current and future water-use needs including, but not limited to, those for irrigated agriculture, aquaculture, industry, hydropower, municipalities, real estate development, and domestic users and to protect environmental values.

The long-term objective of the plan is to incrementally achieve a net ESPA water budget change of 600 thousand acre-feet (kaf) annually. It is projected that this hydrologic goal can be achieved by the year 2030 through implementation of a mix of management actions including:

groundwater to surface water conversions,
managed aquifer recharge,
demand reduction through conservation and efficiency improvements, and
a pilot weather modification (cloud seeding) program in the Upper Snake.

The plan sets forth actions which stabilize and improve spring flows, aquifer levels, and river flows across the Eastern Snake Plain. The plan approaches the 600 kaf target in phases. The phase 1 (1-10 years) hydrologic target is a water budget change between 200-300 kaf.

The ESPA Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan was adopted by IWRB on January 29, 2009 and passed into law by the Governor of Idaho on April 23, 2009.

Advisory Committee

The framework outlined a process for developing the plan and called for an advisory committee to prepare and recommend a plan to the IWRB. In collaboration with the Governor, IWRB appointed stakeholder representatives to the ESPA Advisory Committee. Beginning in May 2007, the Advisory Committee held monthly meetings. To ensure the process was transparent and inclusive, all meetings were open to the public and all related materials were posted on the website. IWRB and the Advisory Committee worked together to complete the plan for submission to the 2009 Legislature.

Implementation Committee

The ESPA plan included an additional action for the IWRB to establish an Implementation Committee to assist in the implementation of the plan. The Implementation Committee is comprised of the interest groups that were represented on the Advisory Committee and, in most cases, the interest group representatives are the same as those who served on the Advisory Committee. The Implementation Committee is assisting the IWRB in the prioritization, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the management actions. The Implementation Committee considers and recommends actions and objectives to stabilize and improve spring flows and aquifer levels and effect changes in river flows.

As part of the Implementation Committee, five working groups meet regularly to discuss relevant information and make proposals to the Implementation Committee regarding project implementation and funding. These groups are composed of Implementation Committee members and are supported by IWRB staff. The five working groups are Conversions, Demand Reduction, Funding, Recharge, and Weather Modification.

ESPA CAMP Archived Documents & Records

IDWR Publications

Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan – January 29, 2008
Addendum to Fluorescent Dye Tracer Tests at the Malad Gorge State Park – November 6, 2009
Malad Gorge Tracer Tests – September 30, 2009
The Potential for Recharge at Jensen Grove – April 2009
Fluorescent Dye Tracer Test at the W-canal Aquifer Recharge Site – March 11, 2009
Hydrogeologic Conditions at Rangen Spring – March 4, 2009
Monitoring of Egin, Idaho Recharge Experiment – Fall 2008
Hydrogeology of the Thousand Springs to Malad Reach of the Enhanced Snake Plain Aquifer Model – September 2008
Analysis of the 2007 Post Season Recharge Using North Side Canal – June 2008
Hydrogeologic Analysis of the near Blackfoot to Neeley Reach of the Snake River – March 2008
Hydrogeologic Analysis of the A&B Irrigation District Area – January 2008
Phase II Evaluation of Managed Recharge on the Eastern Snake River Plain Development of Recharge Facilities – April 2005
WIB#50, Part 4 Twin Falls Groundwater Quality Report – 1991-2000 – July 2000
Feasibility of Large-Scale Managed Recharge of the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer System, Idaho – 1999
An Assessment of the Capability of Existing Canal Companies to Deliver Artificial Recharge Water to the Snake Plain Aquifer in Southeast Idaho – 1996
Summary of Groundwater Conditions in the Oakley Fan Area – July 1994
Effects of Exchange Wells on the Teton River in the Rexburg – Teton Area, Madison and Fremont Counties, Idaho – October 1991
Stream Flows in the Snake River Basin – 1989 Conditions of Use and Management – June 1989
Review of Groundwater Conditions in the Big Lost River Valley – December 1982
WIB#46 Water Resources of the Upper Henrys Fork Basin in Eastern Idaho – May 1978
WIB#42 Digital-Model Analysis of the Effects of Water-Use Alternatives on Spring Discharges, Gooding and Jerome Counties, Idaho – November 1976
WIB#30, Part 8 Heat Flow of the Snake River Plain Region, Southern Idaho – September 1976
WIB#39 Chemical and Physical Data for Disposal Wells, Eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho – October 1974
WIB#38 A Progress Report on Results of Test-Drilling and Groundwater Investigations of the Snake Plain Aquifer, Southeastern Idaho, Part 3 – August 1974
WIB#37 The Availability of Water in the Little Lost River Basin, Idaho – July 1974
WIB#36 Water Resources of the Aberdeen-Springfield Area, Bingham and Power Counties, Idaho – May 1974
WIB#32 Part 1 & 2 A Progress Report on Results of Test-Drilling and Groundwater Investigation of the Snake Plain Aquifer, Southeastern Idaho – October 1973
WIB#23 Groundwater Pumpage from the Snake Plain Aquifer, Southeastern Idaho – September 1971
WIB#22 Water Resources of the Twin Falls Tract, Twin Falls County, Idaho – July 1971
St. Anthony Pilot Recharge Project – 1970-1974
WIB#12 Artificial Recharge to Snake Plain Aquifer – 1969
WIB#9 Inflow to Snake River between Milner and King Hill – 1969
WIB#8 Water Resources of Goose/Rock Creek Area – 1969
WIB#7 Water Level Changes in Mud Lake Area – 1958-1968
WIB#6 Inflow to Snake River between Milner and King Hill – 1948-1967

IDEQ Publications

USGS Publications

Feasibility of Artificial Recharge in the Snake River Basin, Idaho – July 17, 1962

Presentations & Media

“Dialogue” Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Update– Hal Anderson – February 5, 2009
Joint House Senate Plan Presentation – Hal Anderson – February 2, 2009
Association of Idaho Cities ESPA CAMP – Hal Anderson – June 11, 2009
Summary of Cloud Seeding Feasibility/Design Study – North American Weather Consultants – September 2008
Appraisal Level Economic Analysis for the ESPA CAMP Demand Reduction Options Draft Report – September 30, 2008
Final A&B Irrigation Dist Groundwater to Surface Water Conversion Project Study -July 10, 2008
Presentation to Water District 1 Annual Meeting – CDR Associates – March 4, 2008
Progress Report to the Legislature – February 20, 2008
ESPA CAMP Presentation to Idaho Water Users Association – CDR Associates – June 19, 2007
Governor’s Water Summit Presentation – CDR Associates – April 17, 2007
Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) Comprehensive Management Plan Presented to the Legislature – February 19, 2007
Draft Framework Presented to Board – CDR Associates – January 22, 2007
Opportunities to Affect the Water Budget of the ESPA – IWRRI – December 29, 2006
CDR Presentation to the Board – November 13, 2006
CDR Summary Presentation to the Board – September 22, 2006
CDR Presentation to the Board – September 21, 2006
Presentation by Greg Sullivan – July 13, 2006
Presentation by Chuck Brockway – July 13, 2006
Presentation by Jon Bowling – July 13, 2006
Presentation by Willem A. Schreuder PhD – July 13, 2006
Presentation by Chuck Brendecke – July 13, 2006
Presentation by IWRRI – July 13, 2006
ESPA Plan Development by IDWR to Natural Resource Interim Committee – July 12, 2006
Planning Overview – Bill Graham – May 12, 2006
Clear Springs Foods Recommendations – John Simpson – May 12, 2006
SWC Recommendations – John Simpson – May 12, 2006
History of Litigation – Phillip Rassier – August 15, 2006
Aquifer Model Presentation – Alan Wylie – 2006

ESPA CAMP Archived Meetings

Date	Location	Purpose/Committee	Materials
20101014October 14, 2010	Chubbuck	Implementation	Agenda Funding Memo
20100628June 28-29, 2010	Boise	Funding	Agenda Proposed Funding Mechanisms Meeting Minutes
20100517May 17, 2010	Teleconference	Implementation	Big Wood Overview AWEP Overview Thousand Springs Pumpback Overview Irrigation District Overview West Egin Lakes Overview Managed Recharge Analysis Memo to IWRB USBR Water Smart Application
20100512May 12, 2010	Boise	Environmental Task Force	Meeting Minutes
20100429April 29, 2010	Jerome	Implementation	Agenda Status Report Memo Meeting Summary
20100402April 2, 2010	Teleconference	Recharge	Meeting Summary
20100323March 23, 2010	Teleconference	Conversions	Meeting Summary
20100323March 23, 2010	Teleconference	Demand Reduction	Meeting Summary
20100322March 22, 2010	Teleconference	Recharge	Meeting Summary
20100305March 5, 2010	Boise	Implementation	Agenda Managed Recharge Approach Using Existing Canal Systems – DRAFT ESPA CAMP DRAFT Decision Making Process Document Meeting Summary
20100209February 9, 2010	Teleconference	Weather Modification	Agenda IDEQ Water and Air Quality Presentation Meeting Summary
20100208February 8, 2010	Teleconference	Conversions	Agenda Draft Eligibility Criteria Draft Administrative Mechanism and Ranking Criteria NRCS Ranking Tool Meeting Summary
20100202February 2, 2010	Teleconference	Implementation	Funding Legislation Redlined v1.8 Spring User Funding Concept Letters to the Board Meeting Summary
20100201February 1, 2010	Teleconference	Demand Reduction	Agenda PERC Proposal Final Meeting Summary
20100106January 6, 2010	Teleconference	Demand Reduction	Agenda Meeting Summary
20091216December 16-17, 2009	Jerome	Implementation	Agenda Meeting Presentation Recharge Presentation Meeting Summary
20091209December 9, 2009	Teleconference	Conversions	Agenda 2009 AWEP Application Summary 2009 AWEP Application Map DRAFT 2009 AWEP Memorandum of Understanding Meeting Presentation Notes Meeting Summary
20091203December 3, 2009	Teleconference	Funding	Meeting Documents
20091202December 2, 2009	Teleconference	Demand Reduction	Agenda 2010 AWEP Proposed Schedule Meeting Summary
20091123November 23, 2009	Teleconference	Funding	Meeting Documents
20091123November 23, 2009	Teleconference	Recharge	Agenda Estimated O&M Costs for Constructed Rechage Sites Meeting Summary
20091119November 19, 2009	Teleconference	Conversions	Agenda Draft Memorandum of Understanding (All Conversions Projects) Draft Memorandum of Understanding Objectives Meeting Summary
20091110November 10, 2009	Teleconference	Funding	Meeting Documents
20091028October 28, 2009	Teleconference	Funding	Meeting Documents
20091020October 20, 2009		Weather Modification	Updated Upper Snake Cloud Seeding Cost Estimates
20091020October 20, 2009	Teleconference	Demand Reduction	Agenda Draft PERC Proposal Meeting Presentation on AWEP Programs Meeting Summary
20091013October 13, 2009	Idaho Falls	Implementation	Agenda Senator Crapo Update Meeting Presentation Meeting Summary
20091008October 8, 2009	Teleconference	Recharge	Agenda Late Season Recharge Plan Constructed Recharge Sites Memo Meeting Summary
20091007October 7, 2009	Teleconference	Conversions	Agenda Preliminary Costs & Ranking Summary for Potential Conversion Projects Meeting Summary
20090929September 29, 2009	Teleconference	Demand Reduction	Agenda PERC Memo Innovative Methods to Improve Instream Flows Meeting Summary
20090922September 22, 2009	Teleconference	Conversions	Agenda Preliminary Costs for Potential Conversion Projects and Discussion of MOA for ESPA CAMP Conversion Projects Meeting Summary
20090916September 16, 2009	Teleconference	Recharge	Agenda Meeting Summary
20090915September 15, 2009	Teleconference	Weather Modification	Agenda Upper Snake Cloud Seeding Cost Estimates Draft Weather Modification FAQs Meeting Summary
20090901September 1, 2009	Teleconference	Conversions	Agenda Draft Administrative Mechanism Draft AWEP Memorandum of Agreement Meeting Summary
20090901September 1, 2009	Teleconference	Demand Reduction	Agenda Draft PERC Incentives Overview Presentation of Draft PERC Incentives Modeling of CREP Areas Meeting Summary
20090813August 13, 2009	Chubbuck	Implementation	Agenda Senator Crapo Update Meeting Presentation Meeting Summary Recharge Hydrologic Analysis ESPA Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) Proposed Funding Mechanisms for CAMP – Phil Rassier
20090812August 12, 2009	Chubbuck	Weather Modification	Agenda IPC Cloud Seeding Presentation #1 IPC Cloud Seeding Presentation #2 Meeting Summary
20090807August 7, 2009	Teleconference	Funding	Meeting Documents
20090805August 5, 2009	Teleconference	Recharge	Agenda Steady State and Transient Impacts to the Snake River from Recharge in Selected Canals Steady State and Transient Impacts to the Snake River from Recharge in Selected Canals (part 2) Potential Constructed Recharge Sites Meeting Summary
20090804August 4, 2009	Teleconference	Demand Reduction	Agenda CREP Incentives Overview Effect of Changes in Crop Mix Paper Draft PERC State Incentives Meeting Summary
20090803August 3, 2009	Burley	Conversions	Agenda Draft Administrative Flow Chart Potential Project Site Map Key Potential Project Sites 1-5 Potential Project Sites 6-10 Potential Project Sites 11-12 Potential Project Sites 13-15 Potential Project Sites 16-19 Meeting Summary
20090714July 14, 2009	Teleconference	Recharge	Agenda Meeting Summary
20090710July 10, 2009	Teleconference	Funding	Meeting Documents
20090702July 2, 2009	Idaho Falls	Weather Modification	Agenda Meeting Summary Idaho Power Company’s 2009 Cloud Seeding Program Summary
20090702July 2, 2009	Idaho Falls	Recharge	Agenda Meeting Summary
20090701July 1, 2009	Idaho Falls	Conversions	Agenda Summary of Conversion Project Explanation of “Soft” Conversion Meeting Summary
20090701July 1, 2009	Idaho Falls	Demand Reduction	Agenda CREP Update Meeting Summary
20090630June 30, 2009	Idaho Falls	Funding	Meeting Documents
20090624June 24, 2009		Weather Modification	Summary Memo
20090610June 10, 2009	Jerome	Implementation	Agenda Meeting Presentation Meeting Summary
20090522May 22, 2009		Recharge	Recharge Memo
20081210December 10, 2008	Idaho Falls	Public Meeting	Audio
20081204December 4, 2008	Twin Falls	Public Meeting	Audio ESPA Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan presentation by CDR Associates
20081202December 2, 2008	Pocatello	Public Meeting	Audio
20081030October 30, 2008	Idaho Falls	Advisory	Agenda
20080925September 25, 2008		Advisory	Meeting Minutes ESPA CAMP Presentation – IDWR
20080828August 28, 2008	Jerome	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Appraisal Level Economic Analysis for the ESPA CAMP Demand Reduction Options – WestWater The CAMP Water Exchange – Peter Anderson
20080723July 23, 2008	Burley	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Preliminary CAMP Modeling Results: Medium Packages, Demand Reduction Emphasis and Recharge Emphasis – Idaho Power
20080619June 19, 2008	Aberdeen	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes A&B Irrigation District Groundwater to Surface Water Conversion Project Study ESPA Funding Alternatives Pro-Con
20080529May 29, 2008	Pocatello	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Preliminary CAMP Modeling Results-Environmental Sub-Committee ESPA CAMP Analysis Different Size of Water Budget Changes Hydrologic Analysis for Fish and Wildlife Technical Working Group – Sean Vincent ESPA CAMP Technical Advisory Work Group Environmental Factors & Features Suggested Approach for Appraisal of Alternatives – WestWater
20080424April 24, 2008	Rexburg	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes
20080327March 27, 2008	Twin Falls	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Economic Analysis in Support of CAMP – H. Seely, WestWater Research Adaptive Management – CDR Associates Pristine Springs Acquisition Idaho Power Co. Cloud Seeding Program – S. Parkinson Hells Canyon Relicensing & Section 401 Certification – J. Tucker Weather Modification Upper Snake Feasibility Study – H. Anderson
20080228February 28, 2008	Idaho Falls	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Soft Conversions – Contor Water Level Changes From Phased in Application of Water Budget Adjustment – Contor Changes in Crop Mix – Contor Preliminary Plan for ESPA Camp Modeling Scenario – Patton Progress Report Status Reach Gain Changes ESPA CAMP Economic Analysis
20080122January 22, 2008	Boise	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Quantitative Analysis Discussion
20080104January 4, 2008	Pocatello	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Letter to Idaho Water Alliance Board Members
20071115November 15, 2007	Burley	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Preliminary Plan – Patton Water Supply Presentation Chart Allan Wylie Presentation Bryce Contor Presentation Quantitative Goal Subcommittee Preliminary Analysis
20071025October 25, 2007	Hagerman	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Status of Quantitative Goal Evaluation – Brian Patton IDWR Update – Dave Tuthill Review of Climate Impacts Fall Seminar – Brian Patton
20070927September 27, 2007	Rexburg	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Recharge and Groundwater Quality – Burnell Additional Surface Water Storage in the Upper Snake Basin – Brian Patton
20070823August 23, 2007	Aberdeen	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Model – B. Contor Overview of Past ESPA Conjunctive Management Settlement Efforts – C. Strong Managed Aquifer Recharge Efforts on Snake River Plain Idaho’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement (CREP) – Patton & Miller IGWA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Incidental Recharge – Olenichak Aquifer Recharge on the Eastern Snake River Plain – David Blew
20070726July 26, 2007	Idaho Falls	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Water Basics Presentation – CDR Associates
20070605June 5, 2007	Twin Falls	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Advisory Committee Operating Protocols ESPA Water Budget – B. Contor Adjusting Supply & Demand: Tech Analysis to Support the ESPA Management Plan – IDWR
20070510May 10, 2007	Pocatello	Advisory	Agenda Meeting Minutes Revised Operating Protocols Draft Work Plan
20070118January 18, 2007	Twin Falls	Public Meeting	Public Meeting Presentation – CDR Associates
20070117January 17, 2007	Pocatello	Public Meeting	Public Meeting Presentation – CDR Associates
20070116January 16, 2007	Idaho Falls	Public Meeting	Public Meeting Presentation – CDR Associates
20070110January 10, 2007	Idaho Falls	Managed Recharge	Agenda CDR Presentation
20061213December 13-14, 2006	Burley	Managed Recharge	Agenda Managed Recharge Summary – CDR
20061204December 4, 2006	Twin Falls	Managed Recharge	Agenda Managed Alternatives Working Group Purpose Managed Recharge Background
20061019October 19, 2006	Idaho Falls	Public Meeting	Presentation – CDR Associates Public Comments ESPA Executive Summary of Public Meeting Comments
20061018October 18, 2006	Twin Falls	Public Meeting	Presentation – CDR Associates Public Comments ESPA Executive Summary of Public Meeting Comments
20061011October 11, 2006	Pocatello	Public Meeting	Presentation – CDR Associates Public Comments ESPA Executive Summary of Public Meeting Comments

ESPA CAMP Tools

CAMP Spreadsheet tools

Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer CAMP

The Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan

The Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer (RPA) in Northern Idaho is a valuable and significant resource to the region and the state of Idaho. Lying under parts of Kootenai and Bonner counties, the aquifer is a key part of the regional water resources, which make the area a magnet for economic growth and an attractive place to live and work. The region produces approximately eight percent of the goods and services in the state of Idaho resulting in an estimated value of $4 billion. Beyond the economic value to the state, the region provides cultural and social benefits throughout the entire Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie in both Washington and Idaho.

IWRB developed the following goals for the statewide Comprehensive Aquifer Management Planning (CAMP) effort:

Provide reliable sources of water—projecting 50 years into the future.
Develop strategies to avoid conflicts over water resources.
Prioritize future state investments in water.
Bridge gaps between future water needs and supply.

VISION

Provide a sustainable source of high-quality groundwater for current and future economic, social, and environmental benefits, and preserve the exceptional quality and reliability of the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.

At the direction of IWRB and the Idaho Legislature, the plan was developed collaboratively by the RPA Advisory Committee and the public. The RPA Advisory Committee submitted a recommended plan to IWRB for their consideration and adoption, and IWRB formally adopted the plan at their meeting on July 29, 2011. During the 2012 Idaho Legislative session, IWRB submitted the plan for final legislative action. The resulting RPA Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan provides a framework for long-range management of the aquifer. The plan describes the overarching goals and recommended actions that can be implemented to successfully accomplish the stated goals for local residents and the state of Idaho, as well as promote productive regional cooperation to benefit the area over the next 50 years.

RPA Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan

Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer CAMP process

Framework Development

Within the context of long-range planning, IWRB studied what might influence water supply and demand during the 50 year planning time horizon. Topics studied included climate change impacts, population changes, and social needs. The study results were incorporated into strategies for adapting to change and to scale.

IWRB hired Collaborative Processes® to provide professional facilitation services and to assist in the public participation process. General guidelines for the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP were:

The process will be open and public.
The plan will be comprehensive, but will have sideboards.
The plan framework will include interim measures that might be implemented before a comprehensive plan is final.
The plan will address aquifer management goals; the management level designed to adjust water demand, and legally and administratively define available water supply; and, funding mechanisms for implementation of management alternatives.
The context for the plan framework includes legal constraints and precedents; technical and modeling tools; and, existing studies and plans.

Advisory Committee

In December 2009, IWRB established the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Advisory Committee and appointed industry representatives. The facilitators completed a situation assessment which identified issues and concerns by interviewing a broad group of interests. The committee had a unique opportunity to develop solutions that were consistent with the interests of water users and local interests in the Rathdrum Prairie region, and they were charged with collaboratively developing acceptable aquifer management proposals for public review and IWRB decision making.

Industry	Representative
At Large	Andy Dunau
At Large	Jonathan Mueller
Business, Real Estate & Development	Bruce Cyr
Business, Real Estate & Development	Kermit Kiebert
Conservation	Al Isaacson
Conservation	Kevin Lewis (resigned)
Local Government	Dale Peck
Local Government	Jim Markley
Local Government	Michael Neher
Local Government	Todd Tondee
Natural Resource Industries	Hal Keever
Natural Resource Industries	Mike Clary
Tribes	Phil Cernera
Utilities	Bruce Howard
Wastewater Treatment Facilities	Ken Windram
Wastewater Treatment Facilities	Paul Klatt
Water Providers	Alan Miller
Water Providers	Mike Galante
Water Providers	Ron Wilson

Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer CAMP Archived Documents & Records

Brochures & Reports

Spreadsheet Tools

Groundwater Pumping Study – 2015
SVRP Aquifer Pumping Effects Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet Explanation – Once you open the file, click Slide Show or press F5 to begin the presentation.

Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer CAMP Archived Meetings

Date	Location	Materials
July 20, 2016	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Meeting Notes IWAC Water Stewardship Monitoring Update
February 24, 2015	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Meeting Notes Pumping Impacts on the Spokane River RP CAMP RAFN Report Monitoring Update
April 22, 2014	Hayden	Agenda Meeting Notes Instream Flows in the Spokane River – Guy J. Gregory A Hydrogeochemical Investigation of the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer – Gary R. Stevens P.G. Evaluation of Alternative Groundwater Pumping Schemes as an Approach to Mitigating Problems of Critical Low Flow in the Spokane River at Spokane, Washington – Dale R. Ralston, Ph.D., P.E., P.G. Monitoring Update for the Rathdrum Prairie – Kenneth W. Neely, Technical Hydrogeologist Rathdrum Prairie Future Water Demand Study – Neeley Miller
December 12, 2013	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Meeting Notes
November 14, 2013	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary RAFN Municipal WRs – Follow Up Presentation – Mat Weaver Process for Soliciting, Evaluating & Taking Action on CAMP Funding Requests Call for Projects- Draft
October 10, 2013	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary
July 24, 2013	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary
May 28, 2013	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary
March 29, 2013	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda
July 9, 2012	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary
May 23, 2012	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Groundwater Monitoring – Ken Neely RAFN Municipal Water Rights – Mat Weaver
June 21, 2011	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary
May 12, 2011	Coeur d’Alene	Open House and Public Hearing on draft Rathdrum Prairie plan Hearing
February 25, 2011	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary
December 3, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda
November 18, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Open House
October 15, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Draft Rathdrum Prairie Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan (October 8, 2010)
September 17, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Draft Rathdrum Prairie Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan (September 12, 2010) Schedule for Remainder of the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP Process
July 19, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Climate Variability Impact Studies in the Rathdrum Prairie region Public Comments (July 16, 2010) Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (ESPA) Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan (CAMP)
June 4, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary SVRP Memo Rathdrum CAMP Scenario
May 7, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Groundwater Management on the Palouse Interstate Water Allocation (April 21, 2010) Linking Surface Water – Groundwater Interactions to Future Growth Rathdrum Prairie Work Plan May to December 2010 Future Demand for Water Protecting the Aquifer Interagency Agreement (April 18, 1992) Flow Monitoring Plan Approval Letter Pullman-Moscow Groundwater Management Plan (September 1992) Spokane River Water Temperature and Discharge Flow Monitoring Plan Spokane River Water Temperature and Discharge Flow Quality Assurance Control Project Plan SVRP Memorandum of Agreement (October 8, 2007) SVRP Memorandum of Understanding (December 11, 2003)
April 16, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Rathdrum CAMP Scenario Section 4 – Water Supply Final Order Adopting Groundwater Management Plan Modeled Spokane River Flows Working List Questions for the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP Process Committee Recommendations for CAMP Criteria to Evaluate Options/Action Items/Recommendations Suggested Ground Rules for the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP Plan Advisory Committee Advisory Committee Decisional Timeline Action Items & Topics for RPAC Consideration Allan Miller email SVRP Model Run – ID/WA Growth Comparison Short List of Questions for the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP Panel on Water Quality & Aquifer Protection Rathdrum Water Demand Projections — Final Draft
March 5, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Suggested Ground Rules for the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP Plan Advisory Committee Working List of Questions for the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP Process Criteria to Evaluate Options/Action Items/Recommendations Rathdrum Prairie Future Water Demand Projections Work Session
January 29, 2010	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Hydrogeology and Water Quality Aquifer Water Quality Boundary Waters Moving Forward and Maintaining Focus Issues and Options Ground Rules
December 18, 2009	Coeur d’Alene	Agenda Summary Introduction to the Rathdrum Prairie Future Water Demand Project Moving Forward and Maintaining Focus Possible Framework for Rathdrum Prairie Advisory Committee Introduction to the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP Suggested Ground Rules for the Rathdrum Prairie CAMP Advisory Committee

Treasure Valley Aquifer CAMP

The Treasure Valley Aquifer Comprehensive Management Plan

On March 26, 2010, IWRB appointed the Treasure Valley CAMP Advisory Committee which was comprised of representatives from water providers, local governments, utilities, business interests, and conservation groups. Between April 2010 and June 2011, the committee held regular meetings, and through those meetings developed the proposed Treasure Valley Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan.

On May 18, 2012, IWRB accepted the proposed Treasure Valley CAMP for public review. During August and September 2012, the committee provided a public comment period and held hearings.

At the November 28, 2012 IWRB meeting, some Board members raised concerns regarding the proposed Treasure Valley Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan. With these concerns in mind, the Board sent the plan to the Water Resource Planning Committee to determine how to proceed.

At the December 13, 2012 Water Resource Planning Committee meeting, the committee recommended that the IWRB hold the plan and not submit it to the Legislature in 2013. The committee further recommended that all comments received previously on the plan be reconsidered in a revision process during 2013 with the goal of taking a revised plan back to the IWRB for adoption in 2013, and then taking it to the Legislature in 2014.

At the January 3, 2013 IWRB meeting, the Board accepted the committee’s recommendation and directed IDWR staff to work with the committee during 2013 to develop a revised plan that could be adopted by the Board and sent to the Legislature in 2014.

Proposed Treasure Valley Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan

Treasure Valley Aquifer CAMP Process

Framework Development

IWRB hired Collaborative Processes® to provide professional facilitation services and to assist in the public participation process. General guidelines for the Treasure Valley CAMP were:

The process will be open and public.
The plan will be comprehensive, but will have sideboards.
The plan framework will include interim measures that might be implemented before a comprehensive plan is final.
The plan will address aquifer management goals; the management level designed to adjust water demand, and legally and administratively define available water supply; and, funding mechanisms for implementation of management alternatives.
The context for the plan framework includes legal constraints and precedents; technical and modeling tools; and, existing studies and plans.

Advisory Committee

On March 26, 2010, IWRB established the Treasure Valley Advisory Committee and appointed industry representatives. The facilitators completed a situation assessment which identified issues and concerns by interviewing a broad group of interests. The committee had a unique opportunity to develop solutions that were consistent with the interests of water users and local interests in the Treasure Valley region, and they were charged with collaboratively developing acceptable aquifer management proposals for public review and IWRB decision making.

Representative	Affiliation
Megan Leatherman	Ada County
Lynn McKee	Ada County SWCD – Vice Chair
Ellen Berggren	Army Corps of Engineers
Brent Adamson	Boise County – Assessor
Jamie Anderson	Boise County – Commissioner
Paul Deveau	Boise Project Board of Control
Rex Barrie	Boise River Watermaster WD #63
Matt Howard	Bureau of Reclamation
Gary Duspiva	Canyon County – P&Z Commission
Paul Woods	City of Boise – Public Works Department
Gary Shoemaker	City of Caldwell – Water Department
Mike Echeita	City of Eagle – Public Works Director
Doug Amick	City of Greenleaf – Public Works Director
Warren Stewart	City of Meridian – Public Works Department – Engineer Manager
Bob Schmillen	City of Middleton – Public Works Director
Michael Fuss	City of Nampa – Public Works Director
Craig Telford	City of Parma – Mayor
Allen Funkhouser	Drainage District # 2
Greg Nelson	Farm Bureau member, former City of Kuna Mayor
Stephen Goodson	Governor’s Office
Dave Dixon	Greenleaf Farms Inc. – Owner
Jayson Ronk	Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry – Vice President
Barry Burnell	Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Rick Ward	Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Brian Patton	Idaho Department of Water Resources
Jon Bowling	Idaho Power Company
Kevin Decker	Idaho Wildlife Federation – Treasurer
Russ Dane	Keller Williams Realty
Michelle Atkinson	Micron Technology, Inc.
Clinton Pline	Nampa/Meridian Irrigation District – Board
Ron Abramovich	Natural Resource Conservation Service
John Thornton	North Ada County Groundwater Users; North Ada County Foothills Association; Member of North Ada County Technical Working Group
Mark Zirschky	Pioneer Irrigation District
Lon Stewart	Sierra Club
John Prigge	Sorrento Lactalis – Wastewater Treatment Manager
Bill Larson	Treasure Valley Partnership
Chris Jones	Trout Unlimited – Vice President, Ted Trueblood Chapter
Kath Peter	Unaffiliated, former Director of USGS Idaho Water Science Program
Scott Rhead	United Water – Director Engineer
Janice Yerton	Water System Operator – Kuna
Gayle Batt	Wilder Irrigation District
Vern Case	Wilder Irrigation District

Treasure Valley Aquifer CAMP Archived Documents & Records

Technical Publications

Proposed Treasure Valley Comprehensive Management Plan – April 16, 2012

Map

Map of the Treasure Valley CAMP area

Brochures & Reports

Treasure Valley CAMP brochure – 2011
Treasure Valley CAMP Recharge Report – February 2011
Climate Variability Impact Studies in the Rathdrum Prairie and Treasure Valley Regions – November 24, 2010
Treasure Valley Future Water Demand – November 16, 2010
Weather Modification Feasibility Study for Upper Boise River Basin, Idaho – October 2009
Shaping the Future of the Treasure Valley Aquifer: A Situational Assessment and Options for Moving Forward – January 13, 2010

Ancillary Documents

The documents in this section were submitted by Advisory Committee members and the public in response to issues within the Treasure Valley CAMP.

Sustaining California Agriculture in an Uncertain Future – July 2009
The Ten Biggest American Cities that are Running Out of Water – October 29, 2010
Water and Energy Toolkit: Understanding the Carbon Footprint of Your Water Use – July 2010
California’s Next Million Acre-Feet: Saving Water, Energy, and Money – September 2010
Rural Water Use in an Urbanizing Environment – July 8, 2010
Los Angeles Times: Report targets waste, inefficiency in agricultural water use – January 11, 2011

Related Links

Treasure Valley Aquifer CAMP Archived Meetings

Date	Location	Materials
20120801August 1, 2012 – September 30, 2012	Public Comment Period	List of Comments and Testimony Written Comments and Exhibits
20120911September 11, 2012	Boise	Hearing
20120910September 10, 2012	Caldwell	Hearing
20120105January 5, 2012	Boise	Agenda Draft Treasure Valley CAMP Document (reviewed by Advisory Committee)
20110107January 7, 2011	Boise	Agenda Summary How to Approach Treasure Valley CAMP Goals TMDLs and Water Quantity
20110203February 3-4, 2011	Boise	Agenda Summary Potential for Managed Recharge in the Treasure Valley
20110315March 15-16, 2011	Boise	Agenda Summary & Draft Outline
20110630June 30, 2011	Boise	Agenda Draft Treasure Valley Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan
20100428April 28, 2010	Boise	Agenda Summary Treasure Valley CAMP Moving Forward and Maintaining Focus Treasure Valley CAMP Purpose, Goals, and Selected References Treasure Valley CAMP Work Plan Treasure Valley Issues and Topics for Consideration Introduction to the Treasure Valley Future Demand
20100520May 20, 2010	Boise	Agenda Summary Revised Work Plan Revised Ground Rules Boise River Reservoir Operations Geothermal Development in Boise — 120 Years of Success! What is Our Water Source? Treasure Valley Aquifer System & Water Budget Water District #63 — Boise River
20100610June 10, 2010	Boise	Agenda Summary Statewide Surface Water Storage Project Studies Treasure Valley Hydrological Project United Water At A Glance
20100730July 30, 2010	Meridian	Agenda Summary Flow Obligations Downstream of the Boise River Basin The Fundamentals Underlying Conjunctive Administration Considerations for the Future of Water Management in the Treasure Valley Treasure Valley Future Water Demand Study
20100929September 29, 2010	Meridian	Agenda Summary Treasure Valley Future Water Demand Idaho Power Cloud Seeding Program Rental Pools throughout Idaho Water District 63 Rental Pool Water Supply Bank Weather Modification and the ESPA CAMP Boise Weather Modification Feasibility Presentation Future Demand Study Results
20101020October 20, 2010	Boise	Agenda Summary City of Meridian Reclaimed Water Program Letter from Nampa and Meridian Irrigation Districts on Future Demand Study Lower Boise River Interim Feasibility Study San Antonio Water System: Water Conservation and Drought Management Treasure Valley Water Future: Uncertainties and Unknowns United Water Conservation Program
20101110November 10, 2010	Boise	Agenda Summary Treasure Valley Water Demand Comments – Ron Abramovich ESPA Recharge Micron Recharge and Recovery Climate Variability Impacts Treasure Valley Preliminary Recharge Assessment Updated Work Plan
20101214December 14, 2010	Boise	Agenda Summary