Idaho
$30 million water infrastructure bill advances in Idaho Legislature – East Idaho News
BOISE — Eastern Idaho irrigators are one step closer to seeing a legislation providing ongoing funding for aquifer recharge and water storage projects become law.
On Friday morning, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) voted 15-5 to approve a motion to fund Gov. Brad Little’s $30 million 2025 budget request for ongoing funding for water projects.
“It’s a historic move,” JFAC Co-Chairwoman Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, said. “There is a trickle-down effect for any recharge and storage that we do here. It benefits not only us but everyone downstream.”
Since 2019, the Legislature has appropriated nearly $600 million toward water projects statewide, but only $24 million has been invested in southeast Idaho for aquifer recharge and storage, she said.
According to the motion, the funding can be used for:
- Aquifer recharge, groundwater management, and other projects aimed at sustaining aquifer health and long-term water availability;
- Development and rehabilitation of water storage and conveyance systems, including reservoirs, diversion structures, pipelines and canals;
- Water supply and delivery improvements that enhance efficiency and conservation;
- Emergency water infrastructure repairs and upgrades to ensure the resilience of vital water systems.
In a statement Friday, Little thanked the Idaho Legislature for taking action on this legislation.
“Idaho farmers worked hard last year to arrive at a new water deal that protects Idaho agriculture and secures Idaho’s water sovereignty,” Little said. “The success of the new deal hinges on the infrastructure projects this funding will help cover.
He said the legislation is necessary for the state to maintain control of its own water resources.
“I appreciate the Idaho Legislature for keeping this important issue at the forefront so Idaho does not turn out like other states in the Colorado Basin that ceded control of their water to the courts, the federal government, or other states,” he said in the statement.
Sen. Burtenshaw’s bill stalled in House
A previous piece of legislation to provide $30 million in ongoing funds for water infrastructure — S.B. 1128 sponsored by Senator Van Burtenshaw, R-Terreton — flew through the Senate on a 26-10-1 vote on March 3.
It’s been tied up in the House Resources and Conservation Committee ever since.
Lawmakers were debating whether the $30 million should be allocated every single year and be distributed across the state or just in eastern Idaho.
“The purpose of it is to help with recharge. It’s to help with projects to increase the amount of water that we’re putting into the aquifer,” said Rep. Ben Fuhriman, R-Shelley. “We have hundreds of thousands of acre-feet that are flowing down the river every single year because we have no infrastructure to capture it.”
Fuhriman said the state needs to construct additional infrastructure, such as aquifer recharge sites and recharge wells, to efficiently transfer water into the aquifer.
“We don’t (currently) have enough room in the reservoirs, and we don’t have the ability to transfer into the aquifer, and so it just flows down the river,” he explained.
Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan, said additional water infrastructure is necessary for groundwater appropriators and the Surface Water Coalition to meet the terms of the stipulated mitigation plan approved last fall.
RELATED | Locals feeling optimistic about new long-term water mitigation plan after decade-long dispute
Multiple irrigation groups sent letters and were worried that the bill had stalled in the House, and the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee took up the matter on Friday.
“It passed committee, so we will create the bill with that appropriation in it and send it to the House and the Senate for them to make the final decision,” Horman said.
Horman said she a strong supporter of aquifer recharge. She met with Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke and Rep. Van Burtenshaw last week to reach a compromise on one aspect of the legislation.
“What I was fighting for was an earmark, which was that in year one of this ongoing appropriation, the money would be earmarked for the success of the 2024 settlement agreement,” she said. “We agreed to a compromise where they would agree to support earmarking, and I would agree to support ongoing funding.”
The measure includes a provision that in the coming year, half of the funds will be allocated to District 3 and half to District 4 — earmarking the funds for eastern Idaho and the Magic Valley.
“We have sent a lot of money to other parts of the state and I supported every dime of that money, but this (time) the need was in southern Idaho,” Horman said.
Raymond said there was a small difference between JFAC’s motion — an “appropriation with intent” — and Burtenshaw’s original bill — “a policy bill with a request for funding.”
He’s grateful the measure is moving forward.
“Water is a shared resource … with every citizen of the state, so it does have an obligation to plan and fund these projects,” Raymond said.
He anticipates the House and Senate will support the measure before adjourning in the coming weeks.
“Every year we have what we call a going home bill. We can’t come home till it’s passed,” Raymond said. “This is that bill this year.”
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The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.
There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.
Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work
The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.
Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.
READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision
On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.
Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.
36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025
We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.
Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
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