IDAHO WHEAT COMMISSION

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Idaho Water Board Allocates New Money to ESPA Projects

The Idaho Water Resource Board has approved over $30 million to fund water sustainability projects in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) region, supporting a 2024 settlement between junior groundwater and senior surface water users. Funding is split evenly between the east and south-central regions and includes grants for groundwater-to-surface water conversions, surface water efficiency, recharge infrastructure, and monitoring. The projects aim to reduce groundwater use, boost efficiency, and enhance aquifer recharge. State leaders praised the collaborative effort to ensure long-term water sustainability for Idaho’s agricultural communities.