Beck tabbed chair of state commission

BOISE - Hayden Lake Mayor Chris Beck on Friday was elected chairman of the new Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

"I'm honored and a little bit intimidated, but I look forward to the challenge," Beck said.

Beck - who represents water interests - was elected chair by the five-member commission that's scheduled to meet once every three months in Boise. Weiser's Margaret Chipman was elected vice-chair.

The commission's five gubernatorial appointees are subject to Idaho Senate confirmation during the 2014 session of the Idaho Legislature.

Beck earlier this year was appointed to a two-year term on the new commission - created this year via state law to deal primarily with regulatory issues for Idaho's nascent natural gas industry.

Beck listed "registered geotechnical engineer," as a professional qualification, and noted that he earlier served as vice-chairman for 14 years on the Panhandle Health District's board - where the work included Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer water rights issues.