June 12, 2025 – Council Minutes

EIWRC BOARD MEETING
Thursday, June 12, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
St. Anthony City Council Chambers, 420 N Bridge Street, St Anthony
Minutes

Present: Roger Warner, Keith Esplin, Bob Turner, Mayor August Christensen, Dr. Christina Morrisett, Princton Lee, Mayor Donald Powell, Alan Jackson, Tony Dixey, Dylan Anderson, Aaron Dalling, Jeff Raybould, Mayor Rebecca Casper, and Mayor Marc Carroll.  On Zoom:  Skyler Johns and Catherine McClure.

1. Welcome – Roger Warner

2. Administrative Business 
   1. Brad Buttars moved to approve minutes; second by Don Powell; motion carried. 
   2. Bills to pay: Don Powell moved to approve the bills, including from Keith Esplin, Amy McKoon, and Rocky Mountain Environmental; seconded by Mayor Carrol; and the motion carried
3. Updates/Developments
   1. Current Water Situation – Keith
      1. This year we catchup and then fall behind. Natural flows are behind on the Henry’s Fork. Prediction is heavy draw out of reservoirs this year. 
      2. Prediction is hot and dry this summer, which will put a strain on water supplies. 
   2. Report on LIDCO visit & tour, May 14
      1. Drain tile recharge presentation. Water is put into drain tile to allow water to percolate into the aquifer.
      2. Drain tile may not work in our gravels in East Idaho.
      3. Can install tile under parks and golf courses.
      4. Discussion about ability to accomplish in the area.  May be possible in sandy soils, such as Fort Hall to Sandy Downs or Egin.
   3. Report on City Club presentation
      1. Issues are difficult to unpack for public, but meeting went well.
   4. Report on JFAC tour
      1. Brad Buttars: was a bit of an education process. Discussed BJGWD sites and Enterprise Sites. Although folks are beginning to understand, it is clear that more effort is necessary to educate legislators about the challenges water users face in our region.
      2. Good discussions, good attendance
   5. Report on IWUA Water Law Seminar
      1. One of the top water meetings in the state. 
      2. The political discussions in the beginning were very interesting; discussed makeup of the legislature, etc. 
      3. Discussion about challenges of working with legislature on water issues.
      4. Discussion on cloud seeding issues and challenges moving forward. 
   6. Senator Cook Resolution
      1. Relates to a push to rebuild new surface storage, including possibly the Teton Dam.
      2. Discussion about whether EIWRC should focus on surface water storage expansion.
      3. Conversation about pros and cons of dams and likelihood of success of the push to rebuild. 
   7. EIWR Coalition Seminar / Workshop suggestion
      1. Discussed logistics, topics, scheduling, etc.
      2. Discussed obtaining drone footage.
      3. Combine with Henry’s Fork Watershed Council Tour
      4. Request by Jeff Raybould and Henry’s Fork Watershed Council to discuss ideas for new surface storage, including Teton Dam and other sites.
      5. August 21 (later August 19) 
   8. Family Farm Alliance Lower Snake River Tour July 15-16
   9. Groundwater District Management Association summer meeting in Idaho Falls, July 21 – 23.
   10. Other business from board members

4. Proposed Goals for 2025
   1. Prepare a balanced budget for the EIWRC
   2. Participate actively in water legislation development and related political actions
   3. Conduct water education for legislators including a Legislative Water College Tour in Eastern Idaho
   4. Monitor and participate in the ESPA Groundwater Management Area process 
   5. Continue to fund an expert to participate on the ESPA Aquifer Modeling Committee, but with abbreviated reports.
   6. Help non-city municipal water providers find a better path to be a part of the SWC agreement and ESPA GMA

5. EIWRC Directors’ 2025 Schedule:
   1. Next board meeting July 10? – where?
   2. HFWC & EIWRC Tour August 19
   3. IWUA Legislative Water College Tour August 25 & 26 in the Treasure Valley
   4. USCID Conference October 21-24, Reno
   5. Family Farm Alliance October 30, 31, Reno

6. Meeting Adjourns – 

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