Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced that $3,853,000 in funding for the Idaho Water Center Project in Boise has been included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act through Community Project Funding (CPF) at his request.
“In Idaho, we know how valuable water is to our economy and way of life,” said Rep. Simpson. “However, to ensure future generations can adequately address agricultural, urban, and rural water needs, we must invest in critical infrastructure. This funding will support the Idaho Water Center, equipping it to gather vital water quantity and quality data for future water use. I am proud to partner with the University of Idaho in supporting this timely and much-needed project.”
Dr. Christopher Nomura, Vice President for Research and Economic Development at the University of Idaho, stated: “We are thankful for the support from Congressman Simpson for the expanded development of the Idaho Water Center in Boise. With this investment, we will centralize and collate valuable data from the state and over 70 University of Idaho researchers located across Idaho who are focused on solving water issues. This information will help legislators, agencies and developers better plan for and manage this precious Idaho resource.”
The funding is intended to develop a comprehensive data collection center at the Idaho Water Center by upgrading its infrastructure and equipment. The improvements aim to enhance its role as a statewide hub for water-related data activities managed by University of Idaho researchers. The upgraded facility will assist communities with issues such as flooding, stream erosion through agricultural land and urban areas, river infrastructure challenges, fish habitat assessment, groundwater-surface water interactions affecting availability, sediment accumulation in reservoirs impacting power generation capacity as well as flood control and irrigation storage.
Data provided by facilities installed both within the center itself and throughout Southern Idaho will support stakeholders making informed decisions about water management across the state.
Simpson addressed criticism that CPF projects are “wasteful earmarks,” emphasizing that Community Project Funding allows members of Congress to direct federal funds toward local priorities within existing budget limits rather than having those dollars spent elsewhere.
“As Idaho’s only appropriator,” Simpson noted, “Rep. Simpson has a unique opportunity to fight for Idaho’s priorities and ensure Idahoans’ hard-earned tax dollars return to Idaho.”
The measure including funding for the project has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
Mike Simpson currently serves as U.S. Representative for Idaho’s 2nd district after replacing Mike Crapo in 1999 (https://simpson.house.gov/about/). He previously served in the state legislature from 1984 until joining Congress (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S001562). Born in Burley in 1950, Simpson lives in Idaho Falls (https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article252463748.html), having graduated from Utah State University with a BS degree.
