Grande Ronde/Wanapum Petition

This area will provide you with information regarding a petition filed with the Idaho Department of Water Resources asking that a moratorium on pending and new applications for ground water rights be imposed and that ground water management areas be designed for the shallow and deep aquifers that serve the Moscow-Latah County area.  You can also use this area to file comments with IDWR  regarding the petition.

There is also extensive background information regarding Idaho water rights in general which may be useful in providing additional context and understanding.

• On November 20, 2004, five groups joined forces to file a petition with the IDWR Director asking that the Department take administrative actions involving the Palouse Basin aquifers.

Read the Petition Filed With the Department

Read A Summary Of The Petition's Supporting Documentation 

• The Department has received written comments on the petition from Cities, organizations and individuals in the area.  These comments are available for your review.

Read the Comments Filed By the City of Moscow

Read the Comments Filed By the City of Pullman

Read the Comments Filed by the City of Potlatch

Read the Comments Filed By the Latah Economic Development Council 

Read the Comments Filed By The Latah County Board of Commissioners

Read the Comments Filed By the City of Colfax, Washington

Read the Comments Filed by the Moscow Chamber of Commerce

Read the Comments Filed By Washington State University

Read the Comments Filed By Whitman County, Washington

Read Other Comments Filed With The Department During The Public Comment Period

What Will Happen To Our Area If A Designation Is Made?

One question that comes up regularly in these situations is:  What will be the impacts on our area if IDWR does designate an area as a critical or ground water management area?   

It is difficult to describe exactly what the designations would mean for the Moscow area aquifers. The management strategies are area-specific and are developed and implemented according to the conditions and community recommendations of the area. It may be useful, however, to review management plans and policies that have been adopted for other designated areas.  Here are three you can view:

Southeast Boise Ground Water Management Area (adopted plan)

Bear River Ground Water Management Area (adopted plan)

Lindsay Creek Ground Water Management Area (policy)

Read The Idaho Statues That Deal With Management Area Designations

Here's More Information About Other Idaho Critical/Ground Water Management Areas

Let Us Know Where You Stand On The Issue & Why

The IDWR Director believes in community involvement as he decides whether or not to approve the petition.  Idaho law does not require a public hearing before the Director makes his decision and it's important to understand that this is not a popular vote process.  However, as he considers what to do, he would like to hear from you about where you stand on the issue and, most importantly, why you have taken that position.  

We will be happy to accept your comments through the end of February.

You can file your comments by:

•  mail to:  IDWR, 1301 N. Orchard Street, Boise, ID  83706;

• fax to:  (208) 327-7866; or

• email to:  IDWRInfo@idwr.state.id.us

The Moscow Public Meeting Material

A public meeting was held February 2 in Moscow to provide information and hear comments about the petition.  

• Professor Dale Ralston gave a presentation about the aquifer.   You can view his presentation in two ways:

  • In PowerPoint - Note it is a  3.5MB  file that can take a long time to download; or

  • In PDF - It is a 2.3 MB file

• Bob Haynes, IDWR, gave a presentation about water rights.  You can view it two ways:

  • In PowerPoint; or

  • In PDF

General Background Information On Water Rights

"The right to divert the public waters of the state of Idaho and put them to a beneficial use, in accordance with one's priority date."

A Water Users Information Guide - a Primer Regarding Idaho Water Rights. 

What is a Water Right? - What do "beneficial use" and "priority date" mean?

How is a water right established? - Historical and modern methods for rights to surface and ground water.

Can a water right be changed? - Make a change in the use of your water right.

How do I get a water right? - Do you need one? How to get a water right.

What is a claim? Other kinds of water “rights” - Two different types of filings are often called "claims."

How The Water Right Process Works
Filing, reviewing, legal notice and protesting of claims as well as filing an exception to a statutory claim and moratoriums.

Rules
Official Idaho rules for the administration of water rights.

Map of Standard Irrigation Seasons
Standard irrigation seasons recognized by IDWR for water right administration purposes.