More Idaho Farmers at Risk of Water Shut Off - We Reserve the Right to Shut You Down (Video)
This is a 22 March 2025 published update video from the Yanasa TV channel.
In May 2024, Idaho farmers faced a potential water curtailment order issued by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) requiring holders of 6,400 junior groundwater rights to shut off their water, potentially impacting 500,000 acres of farmland. This happened due to a predicted water shortfall and the need to protect senior water rights holders. However, after negotiations, a settlement agreement was reached, lifting the curtailment and resolving the issue for that year.
The curtailment was perceived necessary to protect senior water rights holders from a predicted water shortfall, particularly in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA). Farmers expressed concerns about the potential loss of crops and the economic impact of the water curtailment. After weeks of negotiations, a settlement agreement was reached between surface water users and groundwater districts, which lifted the curtailment order and resolved the issue for 2024.
While the immediate crisis was averted by lifting the curtailment order, the agreement highlighted the need for a long-term solution to manage water resources in the ESPA.
The negotiations involved stakeholders, including the Idaho Ground Water Appropriators (IGWA), the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) and Governor Little and Lt. Governor Bedke. A pending Idaho Legisture bill remains in Committee so the actual issue remains effectively unresolved.
https://youtu.be/d4H_IKPnY64
