OPINION: Idaho’s water is in trouble and farmers, not government mandates, are the solution

The following Op-Ed was submitted by Governor Brad Little. Op-Eds do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those at the Idaho Dispatch.

“But let me be clear about something: I will not mandate a government solution.

Why?

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Because the ONLY solution that is acceptable to me is one that is crafted by farmers. If we don’t do this together, then the EPA or the courts (or worst, Congress!) will determine our water destiny.

Idaho farmers, not the feds, must come up with the solution. And that is exactly what is happening. Just last week, I sat down with water users from all over the Eastern Snake Plain and watched what happens when farmers collaborate. Their ingenuity far outpaces any government idea.

But again, the threat of losing control of our water management and decision-making to the feds is more real than ever. The most conservative U.S. Supreme Court in our nation’s history just blocked an agreement between rural western states in a ruling that allows the federal government to assert control of water in times of disagreement.

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We don’t want that to happen in Idaho.

Agriculture is too important to risk handing our water over to anyone but our own.

Folks, this is not about “us versus them” or eastern Idaho water users versus Magic Valley water users. In fact, a quarter of senior surface water users in the state are located in eastern Idaho. Idaho law is meant to protect Idahoans and our water. It might not always be pretty, but it protects property rights and maintains our water sovereignty.

As Governor, my job is to protect Idaho water and everything and everyone that depends on it. I encourage all Idahoans to join me in this effort.

I will fight tooth and nail against the federal government to retain control of our water for eastern Idaho’s agricultural economy and future generations. That means farmers making decisions for themselves.

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