CAMP May Get $$$

Budget cuts to weather the economic downturn have cut to the bone in most Idaho state agencies.  That includes agencies that oversee Idaho’s life blood…water.  However, the Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan (CAMP) that was approved by the 2009 Idaho Legislature may still get funding due to the nature of its priority.  The Times News reports that the Idaho Department of Water Resources budget has been cut over 29 percent.  Most other Idaho agencies with a hand in Idaho’s water have been drastically cut.  The CAMP program to help regulate and restore water  in southern Idaho’s massive underground aquifer  may still get around $2.4-million dollars.  Part of that money would come from loan repayments of groundwater users to the state for the purchase of Pristine Springs.  Lawmakers will also consider initiating fees for domestic well drilling permits and filing water rights.  Still another idea is to establish a fee for leasing water to a water supply bank run by the Idaho Water Resource Board.  State Representative Jim Patrick tells the Times news that he supports user fee increases to help the department indicating that the plan to help save Idaho water is being funded by the biggest users of that water.