Spokane/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Strategy

Study l Protection l Adjudication 

Since 1999 the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce has been actively involved in the protection of the Spokane/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. Through a three pronged approach to water conservation and protection, the Chamber has worked to ensure protection of this important resource. Staying true to the organizations mission that includes, “promoting the wise management of our area's natural resources to protect and enhance our Quality of Life” the Chamber sought out to study the aquifer, protect it from contamination, and has backed efforts for adjudication to ensure the state and its residents clearly understand who has rights to its water.

STUDY:   Through a regional collaboration that included entities such as the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and Congressional Offices spanning both Washington and Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Chamber was successful in its lobbying to obtain funds from Congress and the states of Washington and Idaho for a comprehensive study of water levels, flow, and recharge of the aquifer. In May 2007 the results of that study were made public, and indicated that the current recharge replaces that lost to consumption. This is good news in a region as rapidly growing as ours. However, this does not end the Chambers efforts on the aquifer.

PROTECTION:  Recognizing these pressures and the consequences of inadequately protecting the water we rely on, the Coeur d’Alene Chamber advocated during the 2006 State Legislative Session for the right for local communities to create an Aquifer Protection District with the authority to impose nominal fees sufficient to carry out the task of monitoring the quality of the water in our aquifer. Thanks to local political support this legislation was enacted and in November 2006 a Aquifer Protection District was approved by local voters ensuring the quality of our water remains the same if not better than it currently is well into the future.

AJUDICATION:  The final component to the Chamber’s water strategy is utilizing the adjudication process to clearly sort out water rights to the aquifer water so as to prevent lengthy litigation or conflict. This is especially important in our border community that shares water flowing underground via the Spokane/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, but also above ground with the Spokane River with Washington State. The adjudication process is just beginning, but the Chamber will continue to follow up on any activity in the process to ensure that this crucial component to protecting water in Idaho is pursued.

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