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Methow
Valley News October 28, 1999 Publisher's Comment by Lee Hicks Endangered Species Coverage Black hats and white hats A recent article in the Wenatchee World would leave readers with the impression that irrigators in the Methow Valley are wearing black hats while those in the the Wenatchee River Valley are wearing white ones. Anyone close to the process of endangered species and water discussions in the Methow might see the article as an effort by federal and state agencies to buff their images at the expense of local irrigators. There are several references in the article, quoting officials of federal and state agencies, as to how irrigators to the south acted early to make their systems "fish friendly." The measures include lining and piping ditches and new fish screens. In several places the early action of Wenatchee Valley irrigators is contrasted with implied inaction by Methow irrigators. Is this really a fair characterization of Methow Valley irrigators? Most likely not. At best it’s a simplistic assessment of local attitudes and efforts—and ignores major economic and hydrogeologic differences between the Methow and Wenatchee Valleys. Agriculture in the Methow is a micro-economy compared with the large orchard industry of the Wenatchee and Leavenworth areas. The Methow also does not have the considerable financial resources of large irrigation districts and the political clout to secure government funding. As the article notes, Wenatchee Valley districts made improvements with little government funding, "because of the commercial success of the rich pear and apple growing region." Several local irrigators diverting through Forest Service land made repeated attempts in past years to determine what was needed to upgrade their diversions and how to get the funds. There wasn’t much direction or financial help forthcoming. And even the Forest Service could not get answers from National Marine Fisheries Service, which listed endangered fish in the basin. This is not to detract from the good things Wenatchee Valley irrigators have accomplished in the name of fish recovery. But it also doesn’t mean that Methow Valley irrigators are the guys in the black hats. Opinion | Sports |
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