39-503. AQUIFER PROTECTION DISTRICT AUTHORIZED. (1) In counties where a state designated sensitive resource aquifer has been declared as prescribed by rules of the department of environmental quality, and such designation was made prior to the enactment of this act, the board of county commissioners of any such county may, upon petition, hold an election for establishment of, or participation in, an aquifer protection district as authorized by this chapter.

(2) A multicounty aquifer protection district may be established by a joint powers agreement as authorized by chapter 23, title 67, Idaho Code, provided all participating counties have held elections and voted in favor of establishment of, or participation in, an aquifer protection district. Every reference to a county in this chapter may be applicable to the multiple counties that participate in a multicounty aquifer protection district.

(3) An aquifer protection district is a political subdivision of the state of Idaho subordinate to the county or counties in which it is formed. The governing board of an aquifer protection district is authorized to provide coordination and funding for aquifer protection activities carried out by county government, other political subdivisions, state agencies, and private individuals or interests. The boundaries of an aquifer protection district shall conform as nearly as practicable to boundaries of the subject aquifer, the aquifer’s recharge areas, and areas that may be dependent upon the aquifer as a source of water.

History:

[39-503, added 2006, ch. 304, sec. 1, p. 938.]