2005 Idaho Code - 39-8503 — DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION

                                  TITLE  39
                              HEALTH AND SAFETY
                                  CHAPTER 85
                    LAKE PEND OREILLE, PEND OREILLE RIVER,
                   PRIEST LAKE AND PRIEST RIVER COMMISSION
    39-8503.  DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. (1) The Lake Pend Oreille, Pend
Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River commission shall have 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. The commission shall have 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. The commission shall also have 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.
    (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.