05-21-2016, 09:35 PM
I just talked with Idaho State Senator Marc Gibbs who represents the Franklin County area. We visited for almost 45 minutes. What a great guy and supporter of sportsmen/women of Idaho and all over as a whole. He fully understands the issue and is at a loss on what to do specific at these highly used waterways. I understand what he was saying and it is so much more complicated than most of the public knows and understands.
Locally, for these waterways, there is not much that can be done, at least in this State fiscal year. But, for FY17, starting July 1, Statewide, there is between $1.9 and $2.1 in funding for this program. And, until June 30, the State Department of Ag got an additional $300,000.00 for the program and for statewide roving inspections. And if that money is not all spent, it can carry over. So, there is money, there just needs to be partnerships between folks to try and get some of the money for inspections. This is where I believe that we need to push for a large partnership program starting with the County, City, Fish and Game (they didn't put anything in to this program this year), and there are many more agencies that can contribute labor and/or funs to make this work too. This needs to include the Canal Companies too, to which currently, they are not putting any money into this program, which is there to protect their infrastructure, but they need to. Anyhow, I am working on a petition wording for folks to sign to try and get some more funding and education money for this area, locally and then Statewide.
Just thought I would update everyone on what I found out today. Good luck.
[signature]
Locally, for these waterways, there is not much that can be done, at least in this State fiscal year. But, for FY17, starting July 1, Statewide, there is between $1.9 and $2.1 in funding for this program. And, until June 30, the State Department of Ag got an additional $300,000.00 for the program and for statewide roving inspections. And if that money is not all spent, it can carry over. So, there is money, there just needs to be partnerships between folks to try and get some of the money for inspections. This is where I believe that we need to push for a large partnership program starting with the County, City, Fish and Game (they didn't put anything in to this program this year), and there are many more agencies that can contribute labor and/or funs to make this work too. This needs to include the Canal Companies too, to which currently, they are not putting any money into this program, which is there to protect their infrastructure, but they need to. Anyhow, I am working on a petition wording for folks to sign to try and get some more funding and education money for this area, locally and then Statewide.
Just thought I would update everyone on what I found out today. Good luck.
[signature]