Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw is addressed twice as Chairman by different speakers during the committee meeting, with both mentions serving as brief acknowledgments to the chair rather than separate substantive discussions.
Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw is repeatedly addressed during a brief question-and-answer exchange, first as Chairman Burtenshaw and then as Mr. Burtenshaw, before he asks for a description of a crest plate or gate as part of the same discussion.
Van Burtenshaw — Thanked as chair of the committee.
Van Burtenshaw — A brief chair-directed exchange occurs in which a speaker apologizes to Mr. Chairman and is invited to continue, followed later by Senator Taylor addressing the chair and the chair responding directly to Taylor’s point, indicating a continuous procedural and substantive back-and-forth.
Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw is acknowledged in two brief remarks to the chair and committee, both serving as courteous acknowledgments within the same exchange.
Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw asks a series of related questions about page 186 and Rule 35, focusing on whether 'tribal stored water' and 'Reservation Water Master' refer to different concepts or are being used interchangeably, and seeking clarification on the reservation-versus-tribal wording in the rule text.
Paul Arrington — Introduced himself as executive director of the Idaho Water Users Association and described the association's water users.
Lori Gray — Lori Gray is introduced as the first presenter, then she introduces herself as the secretary-treasurer for the Nampa Meridian Irrigation District and begins her remarks about project progress.
Mark Harris — Mark Harris asked follow-up questions about the project, first inquiring whether anyone had fallen off the walkway and then shifting to the grant details, including whether the total grant covered easements and road construction costs. The discussion continued with clarification that the full project cost was $21 million.
Mark Harris — Mark Harris asked about the cost per mile of the liner and then followed up by asking whether animals such as badgers damage it or poke holes in it.
Mark Harris — The chair told Mr. Gallart he had about two more minutes and asked him to summarize.
Ms. Gray — Ms. Gray concluded her presentation and invited questions, then responded to a follow-up by saying she did not have a count, but noted local folklore that at least two chainsaws have been lost in the river.
Kevin Cook — Kevin Cook thanked the chair and presenter, then asked for specific project milestones and dates, noting that the project materials did not include a timeline.
Kevin Cook — Was addressed by the chair after being recognized as the next questioner.
Kevin Cook — Asked whether the area had standing water on the soil in places.
Kevin Cook — Asked whether the liners would affect the aquifer and whether that is a problem in Twin Falls.
Kevin Cook — The response is directed to Senator Cook.
Kevin Cook — Asked about the effect of liners on the aquifer.
Kevin Cook — Referenced as the source of the prior question.
Kevin Cook — Referenced as having raised related concerns earlier.
Kevin Cook — Thanked for efforts related to the Teton Dam storage contract.
Kevin Cook — His efforts were appreciated in regard to the Teton Dam storage contract.
Kevin Cook — Asked to ask a question, then made a comment about the value of water and agriculture in Idaho.
Daniel Hoke — Daniel Hoke, the Boise River Water Master with Water District 63, introduced himself and began his presentation on the Treasure Valley Water Supply Project, setting up discussion of the project’s objectives and related water-supply and monitoring needs.
Mr. Hoke — Responded that Eastern Oregon does not affect District 63 and explained the district covers the Boise River Basin.
Jay Barlowji — Jay Barlowji is introduced as the next witness, then states for the record that he is with the Twin Falls Canal Company and begins his presentation.
Mr. Barlow — Mr. Barlow explains that the land in question is outside the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer and is adjacent to Rock Creek Canyon. He is then addressed by senators in follow-up questions, responds that he would not characterize the situation as suggested, and later adds that the water was turned off on October 17 and will be turned back on next year, noting the effects are not yet known and referencing prior liner work in 2019, 2021, and 2023. The exchange ends with thanks to Mr. Barlow and a move to the next item due to time.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor praised the presentation and jokingly referred back to the opening 'cart and horse' slide, asking whether the legislature had finally put the horse in front of the cart.
Ron Taylor — Commented that the layout is easier to follow and thanked Ms. Condon.
Ron Taylor — Senator O'Connor asked a question about the fee impact summary.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor seconded the motion and said he is a registered civil engineer who found the rule adequate.
Ron Taylor — Senator Taylor said he is a registered civil engineer and was comfortable with the rule, while noting a possible conflict.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart asked whether groundwater users have been adversely affected by the liner project. In response, the chairman and Mr. Barlow explained that the water was turned off on October 17, addressing the impact on Senator Hart’s concern.
Phil Hart — Referenced as having raised related concerns earlier.
Phil Hart — Senator Hart is introduced to take over the mic and later addressed as Mr. Chairman Hart while the floor is yielded to a presenter, indicating his role in managing the rules agenda proceedings.
Alan Jackson — Alan Jackson of the Bingham Groundwater District testified about the district’s efforts to manage groundwater-to-surface-water conversions, including the need for monitoring wells, support equipment, and scientific backing through IWRI. He explained that groundwater users have mitigation obligations under a settlement agreement and that the district spends millions annually to support the surface-water system and aging infrastructure, while thanking the state for funding that helps develop future water-management tools. In follow-up questions, he emphasized that water management requires intentional planning and timing, argued against relying on incidental canal losses as a future resource, noted that some losses may be seepage or vegetation support, and said canal lining and direct delivery are better management tools that do not exceed existing water rights.
Jim Guthrie — Senator Jim Guthrie engaged in a sustained discussion about the economics and water-rights implications of lining canals versus allowing seepage for groundwater recharge. He questioned whether it makes sense to spend money to prevent water from entering the ground and then spend more to artificially recharge it elsewhere, and raised concerns that seepage may effectively be someone else’s water supply. He followed up with a hypothetical about whether lining an unlined canal and delivering the same flow would amount to an increase in a water right because less water is lost to seepage, and warned that canal lining could benefit one user while shorting another. The exchange also touched on broader impacts to the aquifer.
Aaron Dowling — Was called on briefly at the end and began introducing himself.
Aaron Dalling — Identified himself as manager of Fremont-Madison Irrigation District and described its storage-water delivery role.
Mary Condon — Identified herself as the Project Management Services Supervisor for the Idaho Department of Water Resources and former Water Supply Bank coordinator.
Mary Condon — Mary Condon concluded her presentation and then responded to a question by clarifying that “tribal” and “reservation” are not interchangeable terms. She explained that tribal refers to the tribe’s stored water, while reservation refers to reservation water, and emphasized that they are not the same. She also noted the tribe was heavily involved in the rulemaking.
Haley — Is invited to come to the podium and speak for the tribe.
Haley Johnson Wasco — Identified herself as a contract lobbyist in Idaho speaking on behalf of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and stated support for the rule.
Doug Okuniewicz — Made the motion to approve docket 37-0204-2501.
Doug Okuniewicz — Senator Okuniewicz responded that the $20 permit fee exists but is unchanged.
Julie VanOrden — Seconded the motion.
Aaron Gallart — Aaron Gallart is introduced as the next presenter for docket 37-3307-2501, then he begins his presentation by introducing himself as the Stream Channel Protection Section Manager for the Idaho Department of Water Resources and noting his experience in the program.