Poor snowfall last winter and above average temperatures this spring have created a dire scenario for Blaine County irrigators this season.
In recognition of this, the Blaine County Commission will discuss next week the possibility of requesting a drought emergency declaration be issued for the county.
The County Commission placed the issue on the Tuesday, May 15, agenda after listening to Commissioner Larry Schoen relay some of the concerns he's heard from those actively involved in the county's water issues.
Specifically, Schoen said he's heard from irrigators in the Bellevue Triangle area who are concerned about the impending summer season, which promises to be one of the driest in years.
"It's a serious matter," he said.
Noting that neighboring Lincoln County is also considering requesting an emergency drought declaration, Schoen said Blaine County should seriously consider the move.
"I do think it's the appropriate step to take," he said.
Placing the topic on next week's agenda will allow for greater discussion, Schoen added.
"I just think the public should be able to comment on it."
In response to a request from Commissioner Tom Bowman, Schoen said he would try to have someone to discuss the potential ramifications of such a declaration at Tuesday's meeting.
Information posted on the Idaho Department of Water Resource's Web site explains how the county-by-county drought declaration process works in Idaho.
Idaho counties cannot on their own declare a drought emergency, IDWR states. Rather, they must petition the state agency to declare such an emergency.
Drought emergency declarations are issued by IDWR and are approved by the governor. The drought declarations apply only to the administrative processing of water right applications, the agency's Web site further explains.
This allows for the emergency transfer of water rights, IDWR spokesperson Bob McLaughlin said Tuesday.
The declarations do not apply to issues such as financial or disaster support, the IDWR Web site indicates. Also, water right changes made under the provisions of an emergency drought declaration expire at the end of the current year unless extended or terminated by the director of the IDWR.
So far in 2007, two counties in Idaho—Custer and Butte counties—have been declared drought emergency areas.
