At a time when environmental ideas have had rough sailing, the Idaho Legislature's approval of the Wood River Valley Legacy Project can be hailed as a substantial victory for uncommon bi-partisanship among state lawmakers. It could mark the beginning of a historic change in Idaho water law that will benefit fish and wildlife if a pilot project is successful.
Water users in the Big Wood Basin who wish to donate unused portions of their legal allotments to the project can now do so without losing the priority date of their water right.
With passage of the legislation, however, celebrations should be quick and brief. Work needs to get under way fast.
The burden of the Legacy Project's success in ensuring the health of the Big Wood aquifer that feeds Silver Creek, one of the nation's blue ribbon trout fishing streams, rests with ardent supporters of the legislation.
Idaho Rivers United and others who threw their support behind this model legislation now have a chance to make otherwise wasted water available to protect a world-famous fishery. Legacy could become a model for similar projects.
No small credit for this pioneering project goes to Hailey resident Rich McIntyre, whose vision inspired the project, Senate Minority Leader Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, who obtained unanimous passage of the bill in the Senate, and state Rep. Donna Pence, D-Gooding, who shepherded it through the House. In addition, water, ranching and agricultural interests and other legislators, Republican and Democrat alike, who pitched in, deserve a round of cheers.
Backers now have five years to make the project work and show that vision and bridge building can go a long way to protect the Idaho outdoors that is everyone's legacy.
