To protect agriculture in eastern Idaho, the state government has donated a significant amount of money to the “long-term” preservation of a groundwater reserve.
On August 27, Gov. Brad Little announced the state would allocate $10 million to the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer. That’s in addition to the more than $30 million Little and lawmakers have allocated to ESPA for recharge and projects that could “drastically improve” water supplies in the eastern part of the state and the Magic Valley.
“Groundwater users in eastern Idaho will benefit tremendously from additional funding for additional projects,” said Jeff Raybould, chairman of the Idaho Water Resource Board and a farmer in Fremont County. “I welcome Governor Little’s continued support for our part of the state. … I am confident that these funds will have a positive impact on the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.”
Adam Young, a farmer from Bingham County, echoed Raybould’s comments on financing.
“I am encouraged by the progress we are making in developing real, lasting solutions,” he said. “We have been able to come together and identify projects that will secure supplies for legacy water rights holders, conserve groundwater and maintain Idaho’s strong agricultural economy.”
Young added that the funding will help build the infrastructure to achieve these goals.
“My top priority has been and will continue to be maintaining a strong agricultural economy in eastern Idaho while preserving water for future generations,” Little said. “The additional funding we announced today will move water levels in the aquifer in the right direction.”
Little explained that the financing was part of an overall strategy.
“Ultimately, it will be farmers, not government mandates, that will drive the solution,” he said. “I’m very excited to see the momentum farmers build to reach an agreement.”
