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Idaho Environmental Forum's
5th Annual Boise River Conference: How the Boise Valley's Water May Shape Our Future
Friday, August 15, 2008
AGENDA
1:00 Registration
1:30 Welcome from Mayor Bieter
1:45 Atlanta Gold: New Project/New Issues
Speakers: |
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Warren Holmes, Vice Chair, Atlanta Gold
John Robison, Idaho Conservation League |
2:15 Storage and Flow in the Boise River: Hydrology and Legal Rights
Speakers: |
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Mary Mellema, Hydrologist, US Bureau of Reclamation
Matt Howard, Policy Staff, US Bureau of Reclamation |
3:15 Where Will the Water Come From: Meeting the Valley's Long Term Water Needs
Speakers: |
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David Tuthill, Director, Idaho Dep’t of Water Resources
Bob Taunton, Elmore-Ada Water Project
Paul Woods, Ada County Commissioner
Paul Deveau, Boise Project Board of Control
Elaine Clegg, Boise City Council
Scott Rhead, United Water Idaho |
4:45 Program Ends
5:00 Float the Boise River to Ann Morrison Park – Rafts provided!
(Sponsored by Idaho Rivers United and Idaho River Sports)
6:00 Hosted Bar and Live Music by “The Heard”
6:30 Catered Dinner by Chef Roland's Cajun BBQ
7 to 9 Free Shuttle to Barber Park
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This year’s half-day conference will tackle the dilemma of water supply in the Treasure Valley. The current economic downturn aside, all factors point to massive population growth in the Valley in the coming years. Where, in this vast desert, will that water come from? How much is left to fuel the anticipated expansion? In the past, growth has followed (and swallowed) irrigated land—thus creating a ready-made water supply. Not so in the future. Thousands of acres of desert and foothills, without a drop of irrigation today, will be covered with new lawns, parks, and faucets all needing water. Will growing municipal demand choke off other uses, like instream flows, existing irrigation, or new energy development? Will growth propel new water delivery infrastructure, such as pipelines from the Snake River or new reservoirs in the hills? Should water follow development, or should it be a tool in shaping development?
For all practical purposes the initial allocation of water under the Prior Appropriation Doctrine is ended. Today, water is not allocated, but re-allocated through a primitive marketplace subject to huge transaction costs and great uncertainties. Is there a better way? Today, land use planning and water supply are largely disconnected. Should they be? Should there be more governmental control, direction, or incentives given to that water marketplace—or less? If there is to be more government involvement, by whom and in what form?
The program will also include an important presentation on how flows in the Boise River are managed by the federal government. How does it juggle storage needs, water demand, and instream flows?
Finally, we will have a key update on the Atlanta Gold project, whose course has taken a significant turn in direction.
Tough questions. Smart people to discuss them from a variety of perspectives. Expect to have many popular myths challenged! And, as always, your input will be a key part of the conversation. Detailed information on speakers and logistics to follow.
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