Full Breakdown
Groundwater Users in Idaho Face Curtailment Order Amidst Controversy
4/16/2026, 11:32:41 AM
Overview of the Curtailment Order
The Idaho Department of Water Resources has initiated a curtailment order affecting groundwater users in Butte County, which began enforcement on November 21, 2025. This order impacts approximately 840 groundwater rights holders in the Big and Little Lost River Basins, threatening thousands of acres of farmland. The curtailment stems from the passage of Senate Bill 1341 in 2024, which required these districts to implement an approved mitigation plan to avoid shutdowns. As of March 2025, none of the affected areas had an approved plan, leading to the current restrictions.
Background on Mitigation Requirements
Under Idaho law, surface water users hold senior water rights, necessitating that groundwater users develop plans to recharge the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer during shortages. Groundwater users are mandated to conserve a minimum of 205,000 acre-feet of water annually. However, due to a significant water shortage in 2026, opportunities for recharge have been severely limited. The 2024 mitigation plan offers a pathway to protect groundwater wells from being shut off, contingent on compliance.
Claims of Extortion and Delays
Tensions have escalated as groundwater users accuse the Idaho Surface Water Coalition of "extortion" regarding the terms of the mitigation plan. Mike Telford, Chairman of the Big Lost River Ground Water District, asserts that the coalition is leveraging the situation to negotiate favorable terms for the A&B Irrigation District, which serves around 82,600 acres. Telford claims, "They've said if we'll give A&B this special deal... then we'll sign it," framing the coalition's actions as holding the community "hostage."
Kirk Nickerson, Chairman of the Little Lost River Ground Water District, supports Telford's assertions, stating that the coalition's demands for additional recharge obligations exceed the original agreement. In contrast, the Surface Water Coalition contends that the curtailment is a direct result of the Idaho Ground Water Appropriators' delayed actions, stating that they had nearly two years to prepare but attempted to force approval in a matter of days.
Official Responses and Next Steps
The Surface Water Coalition maintains that the curtailment is a legal requirement enforced by the Idaho Department of Water Resources due to the absence of an approved mitigation plan. They argue that the blame placed on them is unfounded, as they had urged groundwater users to act well in advance. The coalition's president, Alan Hansten, emphasized that the curtailment is not a decision made by them but a consequence of the groundwater users' inaction.
As the situation develops, a status conference is scheduled for Wednesday, where the department is expected to make a decision regarding the curtailment. Nickerson has expressed urgency, stating, "We've done everything they've asked us to do... there should be no reason for us to be curtailed."
Verbatim Quotes
- “They've said if we'll give A&B this special deal so we don't have to comply with everything that everybody else is complying with, then we'll sign it,” — Mike Telford, Chairman, Big Lost River Ground Water District
- “Curtailment is never (Surface Water Coalition's) want or decision; it is required under Idaho law and enforced by the Idaho Department of Water Resources when no approved mitigation plan is in place.” — Alan Hansten, President, Surface Water Coalition
