Carey could soon have more authority of its own water resources after the Blaine County commissioners approved a measure that will allow voters to determine whether the agriculture-centric valley should have its own groundwater district.
Cindy Yenter, representative of the Idaho Department of Water Resources and water master for District 130, which includes Carey, told the Blaine County Commission on Tuesday that the creation of a Carey Valley Groundwater District would give water rights' holders more authority in regional water issues and "an extra layer of defense" in the event of down-basin water calls.
Yenter said creating a local groundwater district has become increasingly important after 5th District Judge Barry Wood ruled that the Department of Water Resources' conjunctive management of ground and surface water resources was unconstitutional.
That ruling was issued in June and poses a risk to farmers, owners of domestic wells and local water districts.
"You can't manage one without the other," Cindy Mann, of Carey, said about ground and surface water resources.
The Department of Water Resources and groundwater users have appealed Wood's ruling to the Idaho Supreme Court.
Yenter said the Department of Water Resources developed its conjunctive management rules about 15 years ago.
She added that District 130 will continue its management objectives until the appeal is settled.
The prospect of creating a Carey Valley Groundwater District will be up to voters in the Nov. 7 election.
