OAKLEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Food grows where water flows, as can be seen in Idaho and the surrounding areas.

That is why heads of state and government have been working for months to enable farmers to reach an agreement on the approaching deadline.

As a farmer himself, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke knows firsthand how important these conversations are and how big the state’s water problems are.

“There’s enough for everyone, enough for everyone’s needs, but maybe not enough for everyone’s wants,” said Lieutenant Governor Bedke. “I think we need to find the right balance and the right middle ground.”

Idaho is one of the fastest growing states, which has also led to increased water demand.

In addition, agriculture has changed in many parts of Idaho and many crops now require more water.

Despite all this, farmers in some parts of the state do not believe the cuts ordered by the Water Management Authority earlier this year were necessary.

“When assessing damage, the level of the aquifer is taken into account,” said Lieutenant Governor Bedke. “That includes the amount of water coming out of the aquifer into the river. Especially at the western end of the Magic Valley. The surface water system was full and the reservoir was completely full, but that does not indicate a healthier aquifer.”

As talks continue on a new agreement, Lieutenant Governor Bedke said he believes the agreement needs to focus on four key areas: better accountability so those who comply are not penalized, a credit for groundwater recharge and a method for determining it for districts, an averaging of water supplies to help in bad years, and better metering with real-time data.

“It has to be measured,” said Lieutenant Governor Bedke. “Our measurements have to be transparent and everyone has to see where we stand and that keeps everyone honest. Here in the Oakley system, every drop is measured and if the meter fails, the water is turned off until we fix the meter and that makes for good neighbors.”

Lieutenant Governor Bedke is confident that an agreement is possible. The talks have already made great progress before the deadline.

“We still have many statesmen in Idaho. People whose primary motivation is the well-being of the state and the communities in which they live.”

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