On Sept. 23, Governor Brad Little and Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke sent a letter to United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Management of water is a state issue. We do not invite or welcome the involvement of the federal government in making decisions about this precious resource,” according to Gov. Little’s letter.
In April, the Biden-Harris administration sent out a request for information from states to “support the development of a report to advance government-wide action on groundwater” through the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). This is following Harris’ announcement of dedicating “$5.8 billion for water infrastructure projects,” according to PBS news.
According to his Sept. 23 response letter, Governor Little opposes their outreach.
“We are deeply concerned about your administration’s efforts to increase federal oversight of groundwater in the states," according to Little’s letter. "Congress has long left those actions up to the states and has limited its involvement to funding of projects and technology advancements. Your administration should follow suit.”
He continued, addressing to Pres. Biden and VP Harris directly.
“It shouldn’t surprise either of you that Idahoans generally reject the term 'government-wide action,' especially as it relates to our precious water,” according to Little’s letter.
Idaho is famous for its farming, especially when it comes to potatoes, and water is an essential ingredient to agriculture. Naturally, as Governor Little wrote, local Idaho farmers have opinions about groundwater control in the state of Idaho.
Scoresby Farmer’s Market in action, photo credit: Caralyn Cleaver
Farmer Sheila Scoresby with Scoresby Farms said about Idaho, “This valley is a rich agricultural valley that supplies the world with potatoes and a lot of other crops.”
Scoresby Farms Potatoes for sale at Scoresby Farmer’s Market, photo credit: Caralyn Cleaver.
Scoresby’s thoughts aligned with Governor Little’s thoughts in response to the Biden-Harris attempts to grab the groundwater in Idaho and potentially send it to other places in need.
“I think that every place has its resources, and if it’s managed right, that every place has enough resources to supply themselves," Scoresby said. “I don’t think it’s right that we should starve … and that we go without water so someone else can have their water rights.”
Ashland Produce with the Food Dudes at the Rexburg, ID Farmers Market, Caralyn Cleaver. Photo caption
Joseph Ashcraft and his brother, Nathan Ashcraft, are farmers. Joseph Ashcraft gave his thoughts on the issue while running a stand for Ashland Produce and the Food Dudes at the Rexburg farmer’s market at the Madison County Fairgrounds. Ashcraft pointed out that potatoes “are not a dry land crop.” Potatoes need a lot of water to grow, and if the groundwater or surface water is redirected away from this farming land, the potato crop will suffer.
On the topic of federal government involvement, Scoresby and Ashcraft didn’t mince words.
“(The water) needs to be managed locally, not nationally, because they don’t know what they’re doing," Scoresby said. "The more the government is in control, the worse things get.”
Ashcraft agreed.
“Stay away ... Federal government is not here … What works for somebody over there is not going to work (here),” Ashcraft said in response to the federal government having more control over the management of natural resources.
For the reader;
- Should a place with plenty of clean water, whether or not they are using it, share with a place, and a people, who don’t have enough water to go around?
- Or should efforts be made to help those places manage their efforts better so they too can have enough and plenty?
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