News Release Archive

Interior Department Transfers Federal Water Facilities to Local Ownership in Idaho

First Transfers Finalized in Idaho

Media Contact: Robert Manning, , rmanning@usbr.gov

For Release: January 08, 2021

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Department of the Interior officials joined Governor Brad Little for a virtual event finalizing the transfer of ownership of federal irrigation facilities and supporting lands to two local irrigation districts that currently operate and maintain a portion of the southeastern Idaho’s Minidoka Project. The transfers to A&B Irrigation District and the Minidoka Irrigation District are the fourth and fifth set of water-related facilities transferred under a provision sponsored by Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and others that was ultimately included in the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act signed by the President last year. The Act expedites the title transfer process for eligible projects, such as dams, canals and other water-related facilities.

“Both irrigation districts have operated, maintained and paid for these facilities for decades, and the transfers will decrease federal operating costs and liability – a win for the American taxpayer,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt. “By taking these actions, the Trump Administration continues to streamline bureaucratic processes, empower local ownership and facilitate infrastructure investment from non-federal sources."

“Through collaborative efforts in the local communities, these title transfers give greater control to the irrigation districts who have managed these facilities for generations,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman.

“The signing of these title transfers is a historic event because they are the first in Idaho under the 2019 Dingell Act,” said Governor Brad Little. “Thank you to the Trump Administration and Idaho’s congressional delegation for streamlining the title transfer process to give Idaho water users control over managing these water systems for future generations.”

The Minidoka Irrigation District, located in Minidoka and Cassia counties, will take ownership of the facilities and approximately 403 acres of lands in support of the Project’s Gravity Division. MID serves approximately 77,214 acres of irrigable private land through canals, laterals, pipelines and drainage systems. It has been operating and maintaining these facilities since 1916.

“The transfer of ownership of federal irrigation facilities and supporting lands is a great milestone for Idaho,” said Senator Mike Crapo. “Transfer of the Minidoka and A&B Irrigation District Title to local entities in Idaho will give water management control back to local communities, allowing them to have a say in the decisions affecting their livelihoods, while also continuing to maintain preservation measures.”

“Crops need water. Yet farmers and ranchers throughout Idaho have long struggled under overly prescriptive regulations dictating water use as they work to feed the country,” said Senator James Risch. “I was proud to introduce legislation to cut red tape dictating Western water use and grant irrigation districts more control over the assets they manage and use daily. This is welcome news for Idaho’s water users, and I thank Secretary Bernhardt and Commissioner Burman for their work to transfer these titles.”

“I want to commend A&B and Minidoka Irrigation Districts, the Bureau of Reclamation, and Secretary David Bernhardt for today’s successful title transfers. Idahoans understand their resource and infrastructure needs and deserve this responsibility. I always believe local control and ownership leads to better management,” said Congressman Russ Fulcher.

“Title transfer will reduce regulatory burdens and open new opportunities for Minidoka Irrigation District,” said Chairman of the Board of Directors for Minidoka Irrigation District Ronald Kowitz. “We are excited to move forward as the owner of these irrigation delivery facilities. Reclamation has been a great partner, and we look forward to working with them to provide irrigation water to our users for many years to come.”

A&B Irrigation District, located near Rupert, Idaho, will take ownership of the facilities and approximately 1020 acres in support of the Project’s North Side Pumping Division. It serves approximately 82,600 acres of irrigated land and has been operating and maintaining these facilities since 1966.

“In 1962 A&B signed a contract with Reclamation to take over operations and maintenance and repay the cost of construction for our District. Today marks an epic milestone for all of those families who made the A&B Irrigation project possible. Because of the streamlined process in the Dingell Act, the District was able to complete title transfer in less than half the time it would have taken otherwise. Our local Reclamation staff worked tirelessly to assist with this effort, and without them, it would not have been possible. These collaborative relationships resulted in a model for future title transfers across the West,” said President of the Board of Directors for A&B Irrigation District Harold Mohlman. “A&B Irrigation District would like to thank all that participated in making this title transfer happen including Reclamation’s Upper Snake Field Office and Columbia-Pacific Northwest Regional Office, NWRA, Family Farm Alliance, Idaho Water Users Association, Idaho Congressional Delegation, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Mark Limbaugh, and Kiel Weaver. I hope that more districts will see the benefit of title transfer and take the steps that A&B did.”

The A&B and Minidoka title transfers are yet another major milestone under the Trump Administration. Since President Trump’s signing of the Dingell Act, the Administration has proposed transferring seven federal water projects to local water users in Utah, North Dakota and Idaho. While five have now been completed, one awaits final Interior Department action while another is pending before Congress due to the Dingell Act’s statutory 90-day waiting period.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.