05/09/08

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) _ The executive director of the Idaho
Water Users Association says the group is against a federal bill to
designate portions of the Snake River as ``wild and scenic''
because it could harm historic water rights.

Norm Semanko says the group is dead-set against any federal
protection designation for a 42-mile stretch of the Snake River
below Jackson dam.

That portion of the Snake River flows mostly in western Wyoming
before reaching Palisades Reservoir in eastern Idaho.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday
approved a bill to designate 387 miles of the Snake River as ``wild
and scenic.''

That designation affords protection of parts of the river and
its immediate environment.

The bill now goes to the full Senate.
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(Post Register)

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