39-8503. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. (1) The Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River commission shall have:

(a) The duty to study, investigate and select ways and means of controlling the water quality and water quantity as they relate to waters of Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River for the communities’ interests and interests of the state of Idaho and for the survival of the native species of fish contiguous to the Pend Oreille Priest Basin. Those species are bull trout, westslope cutthroat, mountain white fish, pike minnow and the forage base for bull trout and kokanee salmon;

(b) The authority to study, investigate, develop and select strategies with the department of water resources, the department of environmental quality, the department of fish and game, the department of lands, the United States fish and wildlife service, and the U.S. army corps of engineers for the preservation of the said species of native fish, scenic beauty, health, recreation, transportation and commercial purposes necessary and desirable for all the inhabitants of the state;

(c) The authority to receive and direct any mitigation moneys into the Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River commission fund created in section 39-8504, Idaho Code; and

(d) The authority to designate one (1) or more representatives to participate in proceedings relating to the Columbia River Basin, including but not limited to those of the Albeni Falls mitigation work group, the technical management team and other proceedings regarding federal Columbia River power system operations, the Columbia River treaty, and the Idaho invasive species council.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the commission to establish or require minimum stream flows or lake levels, which may only be established under the provisions of chapter 15, title 42, Idaho Code.

History:

[(39-8503) 39-8403, added 2003, ch. 231, sec. 1, p. 591; am. and redesig. 2004, ch. 318, sec. 9, p. 899; am. 2018, ch. 63, sec. 1, p. 154.]