BOISE, Idaho — The city of Caldwell has dismissed its eminent domain case against Pioneer Irrigation District.
Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas and Pioneer board chairman Alan Newbill signed an agreement to dismiss the case March 19.
As a result, two bills pending in the Idaho Legislature that would have forced a resolution to the parties’ long-running dispute over stormwater discharges, eminent domain and other issues won’t proceed this year.
“Those bills are gone,” Newbill said immediately following a 1 p.m. news conference announcing the dismissal.
Pioneer recently dismissed its lawsuit against Caldwell for what it considers illegal stormwater discharges into the irrigation district’s canal system.
Caldwell officials have said the eminent domain action was necessary because Pioneer has refused to accept stormwater runoff from inside the city.
Nancolas and Newbill both said the eminent domain dismissal will give the two parties time to work through their remaining disagreements.
“We’re working together in a very positive manner to benefit the patrons of Pioneer as well as the city of Caldwell,” he said.