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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

State delays water curtailment order

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Department of Water Resources has delayed an order to shut off water to south-central Idaho groundwater pumpers. The Times-News reports (http://bit.ly/1iCYc5w) that the curtailment set for Monday is now delayed so officials can review a second mitigation plan submitted by the Idaho Groundwater Appropriators. Idaho Department of Water Resources' director Gary Spackman signed an order in January telling 2,300 water-rights holders they will have to shut down irrigation if they can't reach a compromise with Rangen Inc., a Hagerman-based fish farm and feed producer. The company says its flow of spring water has dropped significantly. Courts have ruled that removing groundwater reduces the flows from springs, violating the water rights of those with earlier claims. State officials plan to schedule a hearing to consider the latest mitigation plan.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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