In those cases where the cumulative total ground water diversions (excluding diversions under domestic and stockwater rights) in one (1) district are less than one-tenth (1/10) of such diversions in the larger district, and the boards of directors deem it for the best interests of the respective districts that the two (2) districts be consolidated into a single district, such boards may seek to consolidate according to the following procedure as an alternative to that described in section 42-5273, Idaho Code:
(1)  The boards may propose a contract between them setting forth the terms and conditions of consolidating the district having the smaller ground water diversions into the other district, with the name and officers of the district having the larger ground water diversions still retained.
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Terms Used In Idaho Code 42-5274

  • Board: means the board of directors of a ground water district organized pursuant to this chapter. See Idaho Code 42-5201
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • District: means a ground water district established, or to be established, pursuant to this chapter. See Idaho Code 42-5201
  • Ground water: when used in this chapter means water under the surface of the ground whatever may be the geologic structure in which it is standing or moving, as provided in section 42-230(a), Idaho Code. See Idaho Code 42-5201
(2)  Once both boards have approved the contract, it shall be submitted for approval by the members of the district having the smaller ground water diversions, together with the question of whether the two (2) districts shall be consolidated under the contract’s terms, at a special election held for that purpose in such district. Notice of the election shall be published as required for notices of election for indebtedness. At the election should two-thirds (2/3) of the electors voting, vote in favor of the contract and the consolidation of the districts, the board of directors of the district having the smaller ground water diversions shall petition the board of directors of the district having the larger ground water diversions, which notice shall be published in a newspaper published within the county wherein the office of the board of directors of the district having the larger ground water diversions is situated, for such length of time and covering the same matters as required by a petition to annex land and/or facilities into a district.
(3)  The law applicable to the annexation of land into a district after the petition is filed and notice given, shall apply to the consolidation, including an annexation of a smaller district into a larger district.
(4)  After the board of directors of the district having the larger ground water diversions has approved the resolution or other decision including within its boundaries the district having the smaller ground water diversions, the board shall file a petition in the district court within the county wherein the principal office of its district is situated, asking for an approval and confirmation of the proceedings thereunder, and the same procedure shall be followed as provided in sections 43-406 through 43-408, Idaho Code, with reference to the confirmation of the proceedings within irrigation districts. In such petition the prayer shall be that the proceedings, together with the contract, may be examined and approved by the court; that after the confirmation of said proceedings the order of the board of directors admitting the smaller district into the district having the larger ground water diversions, containing a description of all the land properly certified by the secretary of the district, shall be filed for record in the office of the recorder of both counties with which the petition was filed.