Eastern Idaho Irrigation Bill Signed By President

Washington, DC â?? With the signature of the President this morning, the title of the facilities operated by the Fremont-Madison Irrigation District (FMID) can now be transferred to the irrigation district. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig and Idaho 2nd District Representative Mike Simpson have worked to enact legislation permitting the transfer through Congress and applaud todayâ??s concluding action. Crapo and Craig introduced the Senate bill, which passed in June; Simpson introduced the House bill, which passed earlier this month.â??This has been a long process, but we have finally reached a conclusion that meets the needs of all the parties involved,â?? Crapo said. â??It has been good to reach the consensus that allows FMID to take title to the facilities that it has operated for so long. I appreciate the President signing this bill, and know that the efforts of all those involved in the collaboration have been rewarded.â??â??We have been working with the local stakeholders for years in crafting a bill that all can agree to. Today, the final step was taken to succeed in that effort,â?? Craig said. â??The collaboration between all the parties has been remarkable, and I thank President Bush for his support.â??Mike Simpson, who authored the House version of the legislation, added, â??Today, seven years of dedication and hard work has paid off for the Freemont Madison Irrigation District. Iâ??m pleased that the President has signed this important legislation and that the wells can now be transferred from the Bureau of Reclamation to the FMID. I offer my congratulations to the district, and all parties who were determined to resolve this issue. It's only because of the district's persistence and the collaborative efforts of all the stake holders that this bill became law.â??FMID has maintained and controlled the facilities in question since they were built. The facilities include the Cross Cut Dam and Canal, the Teton Wells, and the Idaho Department of Water Resources Permit number 22-7702 from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Fremont-Madison Irrigation District (FMID).# # #