IDAHO FALLS – The outcome of an irrigation lawsuit could determine whether hundreds of Idaho farmers continue to have access to the state’s water supply.
The dispute, which revolves around distribution of water in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, is between participating members of the Surface Water Coalition in Magic Valley and Idaho Ground Water Appropriators in eastern Idaho.
After years of litigation, the parties reached an agreement in 2015 that they would reduce annual water usage by 240,000 acre-feet (An acre-foot of water is about 326,000 gallons, and it’s enough water to cover an acre of land 1 foot deep). The Idaho Department of Water Resources determined that amount of reductions would replenish the water supply.
Groundwater users also agreed they would only irrigate between April 1 and Oct. 31.
The agreement hit a few snags at the onset of the drought in 2021. Concerns about water shortages sparked more debate, and now both sides are working to renegotiate the terms of the original settlement.
REPOSTED FROM EASTIDAHONEWS.COM – READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
💧 Limited water does not have to mean limited options. Klamath Basin landowners enrolled more than 11,000 acres in water-conservation programs, balancing water use with operational and financial needs. Understanding available programs and how they fit into the broader operation can create a stronger path forward. Root Agricultural Advisory helps agricultural businesses evaluate their options… Understanding Your Water Options
🌱 Knowing your farmlands value, understanding buyer priorities, and identifying potential risks early can give you more control once negotiations begin. Our five-day Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking Farmland Value helps landowners and advisors prepare before the property reaches the market. Start the guide through here.
Root Agricultural Advisory
2670 S. Eagle Rd. Meridian ID 83642
(208) 753-2333 info@rootagadvisory.com
