Read Congressman Simpson's Letter to Gov. Kempthorne regarding the SRBA

Read Congressman Simpson's Letter to Gov. Kempthorne regarding the SRBA
Washington, D.C. - Dear Governor Kempthorne:

I want to take this opportunity to commend you and your staff for your strong leadership on the Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA)/Nez Perce Water Rights Settlement Agreement and offer my strong and continuing support to the Agreement.

I recognize there are some in our State who oppose the Agreement. However, I remain convinced this resolution is in the best long-term interests of the State of Idaho. For me, there is no question that this Agreement has significant benefits throughout the State and resolves some very contentious, and possibly devastating, disagreements over who controls Idaho's water. I believe the impressive, and growing, list of people, organizations, communities, and businesses that support the Agreement speaks volumes about its importance to the future of our state.

I also acknowledge that some in Idaho would rather continue this battle in court. The State has a strong case, but I am unwilling to gamble with the livelihoods of many of our State's citizens or with the future economy of Idaho. Moving forward with the Agreement is the responsible approach to protecting, for generations to come, our agriculture-based industry. It is far more uncertain to leave these future critical decisions in the hands of judges than with those who have already made the important decision to move forward with the Agreement through the SRBA negotiations.

Finally, I believe the Agreement is vital to the protection of property rights across the State. In my first-hand discussions with Idaho's farmers and ranchers, I am continually reminded that high desert land without access to water is of little or no value. Securing that water, and affording Idaho's agriculture producers the continued ability to farm or graze their land, is a very significant pro-private property rights undertaking. Moreover, the Agreement explicitly states that programs afforded Idahoans for protection under the Federal Endangered Species Act are voluntary and of their own choosing.

Once the state of Idaho has approved the Agreement, and the Nez Perce Tribe affirms its support, I look forward to working with you to ensure the commitments made by the Federal government under this Agreement are met. Until then, I stand ready to assist you in any way I can with your efforts to secure the approval of this important and historic Agreement.

Sincerely,

Mike Simpson
Member of Congress

cc: Bruce Newcomb, Speaker
Bob Geddes, President Pro Tempore