Congress Protecting Aquifer

Congress is making water conservation a top priority, with eastern Idaho coming in at the top of the list.

In 2009, lawmakers implemented a new program creating incentives for locals to make protecting the environment a top priority.

This year the U.S. Department of Agriculture is actually granting money and technical help to farmers who use surface water rather than tapping the underground aquifer.

USDA conservationist Deb Nace said clean water is one of the most precious resources that Idahoans can protect.

The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer stretches from St. Anthony to Twin Falls, where hydrologists constantly worry water may run low or become contaminated.

“By conserving the water in the Snake River and the Snake River aquifer, we’re helping our tourism,” said Nace.

The Idaho Water Resources Board is encouraging local growers to sustain ESPA by reducing the amount of underground water drawn, converting fields to dry land farming and modifying irrigation systems to use surface water.

Nace said, in some cases, they’ll even give you money to do this or pay for the changes you make.

“We’ll pay for the pipeline and the structure for water control,” said Nace.

If you don’t like the program — don’t join.

“Everything is voluntary so they don’t feel coerced into making a choice they don’t want to make,” said Nace.

Applicants have until May 21 to sign up for the water enhancement program.