Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/12477
DOWNHILL FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, GROWERS living in the West have had to rely on irrigation canals to give their crops the precious commodity that sustains all life. However, about 50 percent of irrigation water is lost in canal systems due to seepage, evaporation and return flows to rivers. Despite that, growers have still had to pay for that wasted water. That’s why one canal company, in the community of Ashton, Idaho, has invested time and money, with technical help from the NRCS and financial backing from the 2002 Farm Bill, to install a gravity pipeline system that practically eliminates the need for irrigation canals. DECADES IN THE MAKING For decades, the Marysville Canal Company board of directors has been discussing improving the North Fremont Canal System by taking advantage of the sloping landscape to deliver pressurized water more efficiently to growers. In 1980, they hired engineering firm CH2M Hill to conduct a study on the feasibility of an aggressive project the canal company proposed. When the study concluded, it was determined that the endeavor was far more expensive than growers could realistically afford. In 1990, a hydroelectric project under the direction of Idaho Power was completed on Falls River east of Ashton. With the formation of the Ida West Hydro Partners, and because growers had a stake in the organization, growers had even more of an incentive to improve irrigation efficiency. Electrical costs were continuing to go up, and any water growers saved could be diverted into hydro power. By 2000, growers were lobbying for Congressional earmarks, but no funding came about—until the 2002 Farm Bill, that is. The 2002 Farm Bill reauthorized the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), initially started in 1997. EQIP provides a voluntary conservation program for growers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. According to Clen Atchley, Ashton seed grower and current president of the Marysville Canal Company, “It wasn’t until the Farm Bill came along, which allowed us to use EQIP money to fund 50 percent of the cost share of these projects, that suddenly some of this became economical.” EQIP is administered by the NRCS. The local office, the High Country Resource Conservation and Development, located in St. Anthony, stepped in with a little help. They took over the engineering, under lead engineer Bruce Sandoval. “We proposed to break it up into smaller pieces and try to tackle it that way,” says Ken Beckmann, district conservationist. The NRCS team proposed several options, chose one and planned its strategy, with an environmental assessment and public meetings. “If the farmers are happy, we’re happy.” – Ken Beckmann, NRCS district conservationist 18 Potato Grower | JULY 2010