What Is the Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) and how can you Participate in the local Water Management Process?

          Several interest groups in the Palouse area felt their interests and/or the public’s interests were not being adequately represented by the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee (PBAC) in how best to ensure a dependable, long-term quality water supply for the region.  In response to a petition from a coalition of these groups to the Idaho Department of Water Resources seeking ground water management area status for the Idaho side of the Palouse Basin, Director Karl Dreher recommended that PBAC establish a Citizens’ Advisory Group (CAG) to evaluate PBAC goals, give feedback concerning ongoing and future research and projects and ensure broad public input to PBAC’s water management process. The intent is to facilitate additional input from parties not on PBAC which might provide a broader range of options and enhance the overall management of water in the Palouse Basin.   PBAC is requesting ex officio representation on the CAG from both the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Washington Department of Ecology.

          The Citizens’ Advisory Group will be appointed by PBAC from those who apply to serve on the CAG.  A PBAC subcommittee is currently finalizing the charter for the CAG. In order to ensure that a broad range of interests are represented on the CAG, PBAC is advertising for nominations to fill no more than 10 seats.  Persons may nominate themselves or others for selection.  PBAC will evaluate the nominations and select representatives that cover the broadest range of water related interests possible while representing a balance from both Idaho and Washington.  PBAC is interested in attracting participation from those groups and individuals who may feel that their views have not been addressed by PBAC in the past.  These interest groups may include, but not be limited to:

ü      Rural and other water purveyor

ü      Conservation groups

ü      Rural residents

ü      Business interests

ü      Agriculture interests. 

Interested parties in both Washington and Idaho are encouraged to respond. 

The duties of CAG will include at least the following:

ü      Develop recommendations to PBAC regarding the PBAC groundwater management plan and implementation strategies to accomplish PBAC groundwater management goals.

ü      Develop recommendations for consideration by PBAC for water conservation and recommendations for implementation strategies.

ü      Develop recommendations for consideration by PBAC for peer review of research and objectives for future research.

ü      Develop recommendations for public participation in implementation of the ground water management plan adopted by PBAC.

 

Any person can make recommendations or suggestions to PBAC concerning how the Palouse Basin ground water management can be improved.  Any available factual information in support of suggestions will be appreciated.  PBAC welcomes all suggestions.  The suggestions can be made to any PBAC member or to the PBAC Executive Secretary, Larry Kirkland at:

 

Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee
University of Idaho
PO BOX 443011
MOSCOW, ID  83844-3011

Or by phone or email at: (208)885-4569   or    larryk@uidaho.edu