There's a full house this morning as the Idaho Land Board meets as the state Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, to hear items including a recommendation from a hearing officer with regard to a spacing order requested by Bridge Energy, and a temporary rule regarding "fracking," or hydraulic fracturing. Bridge Energy wants to drill more gas wells closer together than current rules allow; a public hearing on the request was held March 31 at the Nampa Civic Center.

George Bacon, state Lands Department director and secretary for the board, said many have raised concerns that don't relate directly to the questions before the board. Among those protesting the spacing request was Melinda Harper of Idaho Rural Water, who said the quality of drinking water for New Plymouth could be threatened, and residents haven't received sufficient information about the proposal and its impacts. However, the board, without debate, voted unanimously to approve a hearing officer's recommendation to approve the request, which would allow four wells per square mile, rather than just one per 640 acres. It's now taking up the fracking issue.