Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter announced last week plans for several Magic Valley water-conservation projects that could provide the city of Twin Falls with an additional water source, recharge springs that feed the aquaculture industry and pay farmers to stop irrigating as much as 20,000 acres of farmland.

Otter officials said the projects are an "outgrowth" of the water summit he hosted earlier this year, aimed at encouraging dialogue among water groups, state lawmakers and the public in hopes of acquiring funding for the projects during the 2008 Idaho Legislature. But so far his office is tight-lipped about project details, legislators are puzzled by what he's doing and water users involved in the proposals say his efforts could be little more than Band-Aids on a much larger wound.

"This doesn't solve the larger problem in any way, shape or form," said Scott Marshall, who supervises Snake River fish hatcheries for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Springs that provide water to fish farms have declined dramatically in recent years, reducing fish production by 250,000 annually at lower Snake River hatcheries. Otter's proposals call for rerouting spring water and pumping water back into the springs, but Marshall expects the projects to have nominal benefits for his hatcheries.

Other water users involved in the projects say they're not sure what effects the proposals might have, because they've had little or no contact with Otter's office.

Among the proposals, the governor wants to transfer 775,200 gallons of water at Alpheus Springs, currently used by the Blue Lakes Country Club Golf Course for irrigation, to the city of Twin Falls for drinking water.

But Twin Falls City Manager Tom Courtney, who said he "vaguely" knows about the project through a third party, was not aware of the city being involved in any formal discussions and learned about its recent progress through a newspaper article.

"We have not heard anything from the governor's office. Until we saw the article in the paper, we we're not aware that anything had actually been done," he said. "I'm really at a loss to tell you anything."

Courtney declined further comment, citing a lack of information.

Otter's office approached Blue Lakes Country Club about a week and a half ago, said Michael Collins, general manager at the club. Collins is skeptical the proposal would do the club much good.

"To be honest I don't know much of a benefit - our concern is that we don't deplete the water levels in Blue Lakes," Collins said. "So that's another part of the ongoing discussion: How do we, along with the city and possibly the state, solve that situation?"

Details are sketchy and skepticism is high about another of Otter's proposals that would pay farmers to stop irrigating their land. It's similar to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, a buy-out scheme that has seen less than anticipated interest from groundwater pumpers. Otter officials say his version could come with less red tape and require a shorter commitment from farmers.

"I know his staff has been working on some stuff, but they've been pretty hush-hush about it," said Lynn Tominaga, head of the Idaho Ground Water Appropriators. "They've not been very forthcoming with their information."

The governor's office said Otter's program could affect 20,000 acres near Thousand Springs, but Tominaga isn't so sure. He said the land Otter is talking about is worth between $3,000 and $4,000 an acre, and he doubts the Legislature is willing to spend nearly $80 million to buy out groundwater pumpers, even if it means sparing them from mandatory well closures that might be looming this spring.

Meanwhile, miscommunication over the projects has raised concern - and confusion - in the Legislature. Lawmakers, including high-ranking GOP members, were surprised not only by Otter's announcement but also by the projects selected.

"What's interesting to me is that the governor makes a release and does not talk about it to any of the legislators," said Rep. Bert Stevenson, R-Rupert, chairman of the Resources and Conservation Committee. "I'm in the dark and haven't talked to any legislators that knew it was coming."

Despite so much uncertainty to the proposals - especially how they'll be funded - Otter officials said the timing of the announcement is best for all parties involved because it'll give time to form deals and discuss funding before the session.

"If we had agreements and found the money, we could put these in place very quickly because we've done the engineering and the technical work on the projects," said Dave Hensley, legal counsel to Otter.

Otter's office, however, was cautious about offering details. Officials said they are being "real careful" about estimating how much water the projects would save; they didn't give deadlines for when the projects should be implemented; and they didn't name ways for funding besides the Legislature.

The projects were not designed to resolve major differences between water users, but simply minimize their injury and maximize water efficiency, said Jim Yost, a natural resources adviser to Idaho governors since 1995, who has been a major organizer for the proposals.

The projects are "the things that should be done and could be done," Yost said.

Matt Christensen may be contacted at matt.christensen@lee.net or 735-3243.

Jared Hopkins may be contacted at jhopkins@magicvalley.com or 735-3204.