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Community consensus is emerging. It is time to restore de-watered portions of the Wood River Basin.
At the same time, river lovers across Idaho are interested in contributing water rights to help boost river flows, if state law would allow the water to be kept protected in-stream.
The Wood River Legacy Project is designed to address both those issues.
Launched this winter by Idaho Rivers United members in the Wood River Basin under the leadership of stream restoration consultant Rich McIntyre of Hailey, the goals of the Wood River Legacy Project are to re-water parts of the Big Wood River that have been diverted and run dry for decades, enhance flows in Silver Creek and underground aquifers in the basin, and spur changes in Idaho law that will make it possible for willing water right holders to place or leave water in our precious streams.
Idaho is one of the few states where in-stream rights are not protected, and any junior water rights holder downstream can take water left in a stream. In addition, Idaho law includes a use it or lose it provision that sometimes encourages more water use than is needed, simply to maintain a water right.
More water in the river means a healthier ecosystem and more recreational opportunities. In the Big Wood River, 12 miles of the stream will be re-watered if the project is successful. In addition, increased surface flows into Magic Reservoir may present an opportunity to negotiate a minimum in-stream flow in the tail water below Magic, creating a superb tail water, trophy trout fishery.
Local support for the project is strong, with fishermen, local elected officials, ranchers, conservationists and irrigation interests on board.
Here are just a few of our accomplishments to date:
- On July 24th, the Lincoln County Commissioners voted unanimously to support the Legacy Project and placed local farmer Carl Pendleton on our advisory board.
- Jerome County followed with a unanimous endorsement on Aug 7th.
- Blaine County followed suit on Aug 8th (article enclosed).
- Gooding County formally endorsed the project Aug 14th.
- The Big Wood Canal Company (which controls Magic Reservoir) voted to financially support the project and to assist in the delivery of donated water rights back into the lower Big Wood River, and has representation on the advisory board as well.
- Presentations to city governments throughout the Basin are set to begin the week of August 21st, and our work with area legislators will start immediately after. Initial responses have been very positive.
For more information on the Wood River Legacy Project, contact:
Kevin Lewis, 208-343-7481
Andy Munter, IRU Board President, at Backwoods Mountain Sports in Ketchum, 208-726-8818
Rich McIntyre, Project Director, at 208-3309-1486
Wood River Legacy Project
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the local advisory board members?
A: The Wood River Legacy Project is fortunate to have a local Advisory Board, which oversees the project and provides counsel and assistance to the project director. They are:
Andy Munter, Backwoods Mountain Sports
Rob Santa, Sturtevants Mountain Outfitters
Jed Gray, Sun Valley Associates
Dr. Buck Drew, IRU Board Member
Scott Schnebly, Lost River Outfitters
William Molyneau, Lucky 7 Ranch
Larry Schoen, farmer & Blaine County P&Z
Butch Harper, USFS (ret.)
Richard Dinges, Tunupa Ranch/Gooding
George Rizzo, Fishing Guide
Q: Why this project at this time?
A: A community consensus is emerging that it is time to restore the lower river, leaving a living river legacy for our children and grandchildren. In addition, there are senior water rights that could be made available to start the process, increasing surface flows in the Big Wood River and Silver Creek. Many people in the valley and across the state are interested in contributing water rights, if they could be kept protected in-stream.
Q: What is the project cost?
A: The total project budget is a very lean $200,000 over a two year period. You cannot buy a building lot in Blaine County for $200,000, but for that amount we can restore 12 miles of the Big Wood River, enhance flows in Silver Creek, and change Idaho water law. We think that represents an excellent return on investment.
Q: Why can't water be left in the river now?
A: The answer lies in Idaho water law. We are one of the few states where in-stream rights are not protected, and any junior water rights holder downstream can take the water. In addition, the law includes a use it or lose it statute that sometimes encourages more water use than is needed in order to maintain a water right.
Q: How do you intend to change that?
A: By establishing a broad based, bi-partisan coalition of citizens, county governments, municipalities, irrigation districts and organizations from Ketchum to the Snake River Plain, to provide the political support required to forward a change of law in the 2007 Idaho legislature. The valley community is the anchor for that effort.
Q: Could the project expand fishing opportunity?
A: Certainly, if the lower river is alive, recreational opportunities will increase.
Twelve miles of new river would be available to fish. In addition, increased surface flows into Magic Reservoir may present an opportunity to negotiate a minimum in-stream flow in the tail water below Magic, creating a superb tail water, trophy trout fishery.
Q: Are you competing in any way with Wood River Land Trust or TNC?
A: Not at all. This project directly complements the excellent work of Wood River Land Trust, and fits with their long term, Phase Three restoration goals. The project is specifically designed to improve flows in Silver Creek, largely managed by The Nature Conservancy. We will work with both organizations, and seek to expand our combined knowledge of basin hydrology. The project will provide important new tools for their conservation work. |
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