BOISE The deadline for applying for $2 million in emergency drought well-drilling funds is Sept. 19, and officials say they already have more than 300 applications seeking $2.2 million.
Colleen Van Winkle, program manager, said with so many applications, money will be allocated among qualified applicants on a cost-sharing basis. The exception will be special hardship cases. The money is being provided by the federal Bureau of Reclamation.
After the deadline, the agency will verify applications and the Water Resource Board will decide which to approve and how to allocate the money. ''It still will take several months before the funds are actually distributed,'' Van Winkle said.
Through Monday, 20 applications were from northern Idaho, 88 from western Idaho, 118 from the Magic Valley and 83 from eastern Idaho. The 309 applications involve 328 wells.
All but 24 of the requests are from individuals forced to deepen existing wells or drill new ones. Other requests have come from small businesses, corporations and governmental agencies. The requests range from $300 to $105,000.