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Methow Valley News December 16, 1999 Endangered Species Coverage Farmers jump on ESA negotiations In what they consider an effort to stop the same problems the Methow Valley has endured with water regulations, organizations representing Washington state farmers have joined forces to try and protect water users from the government. Representatives of nine major agricultural groups agreed to enter into negotiations with government, tribal and environmental interests. The collaborative group of farmers held its first meeting Thursday (Dec. 9) at the Spokane Convention Center. Modeled after the timber, fish and wildlife negotiations, the agriculture, fish and wildlife process hopes to address agricultural practice standards developed by the United States Natural Resource Conservation Service and development of guidelines for irrigation districts to help enhance, restore and protect habitat for endangered fish and wildlife. Senator Bob Morton (R-Orient) is a member of the group’s executive board. Morton said the actions being taken against the Methow Valley were a sign for farmers to meet. "The National Marine Fisheries Service has already demonstrated to the people in my district that it will not hesitate to exert its power to withhold water in the name of endangered species protection," he said in a released statement. "It was a tremendous show of good faith for the nine agricultural groups to come to the table to negotiate. I hope the federal government will recognize their efforts." The process was split into two segments at the meeting. The agricultural groups participated in the first segment to update the guidelines developed by the NRCS so they comply with the Endangered Species Act and the federal Clean Water Act. The new guidelines will be used to develop farm plans to protect farmers, ranchers and orchardists from federal intervention into water rights. The second segment of the process will sit irrigation district representatives with government, tribal and environmental representatives to develop water-use and conservation guidelines and meet water quality requirements. Opinion | Sports |
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