Dear editor:

In response to Mr. Duyck’s letter to editor in the July 22, 2025, newspaper, it seems we have had two conversations with two different individuals at the Bureau of Reclamation and there have been two different responses. Based on this, and to receive a definitive answer, I will be sending a letter and supporting information along with copies of both letters to the editor to the Bureau of Reclamation in Washington as well as the Department of the Interior. Once I receive a response, I will post copies of the letters and in addition I will summarize their responses in a letter to the editor. I will also forward a copy of Mr. Duyck’s current letter to Mr. Kevin Quick at the Wyoming Board of Control as well and ask him for his comments.

In the meantime, I have posted the newly updated Shoshone Irrigation District (“SID”) Bylaws at shoshoneirrigationissues.com/ and there are two new sections that are very noteworthy.  First on page 17, paragraph C, the SID bylaws state “C. Minimum annual assessment — The minimum annual assessment for current expense of the District for landowners holding less than 30 irrigable acres (emphases added) shall be their regular O&M assessment, together with an additional $300. Payment of such minimum charge shall entitle the landowner to base allotment of water set by the Board of Commissioners.” This section clearly states that ONLY the small landowners and small farmers will pay the minimum annual assessment! This assessment is scheduled to increase to $340.25 next year from the current $300, an increase of 13.42%. As currently written, it seems that those farmers who have over 30 acres will not be charged this fee, only the small landowners. In my opinion, everyone should call not only their area SID commissioner, but also Mr. Trent Reed, SID general manager, and voice their frustration, and expectation that this be changed so that costs are distributed fairly.

On page 18, paragraph G, the SID bylaws state “G. Distribution within the subdivision, beyond the original farm unit turnout, shall be implemented and controlled by a subdivision water users’ association. This association (its representatives as authorized in its by-laws) shall be the sole entity to conduct business with the Irrigation District. All fees, charges and assessments owed to the District by the subdivision shall be paid by the association. Collection for the pro-rata share from individual landowners shall be the responsibility of the association. No water deliveries shall be made by the District until all outstanding debts of the association have been paid. The District shall not become involved in the internal affairs of the association.” Therefore, it seems that SID is going to be continuing their efforts to require water associations.

Finally, the court approved the new minimum annual assessment for SID of $340.25 and will only be paid by the small landowners and small farmers, which results in the following: There are approximately 1,408 small landowners, so the annual amount raised by this tax is $342,000. If it were billed on a per acre basis, there are approximately 33,565.72 acres, so the per acre cost is ($342,000/33,565.72) or $10.19 per acre. Yet, according to Mr. Duyck’s letter to the editor, the farmers cannot pay $10.19 more per acre and if forced to do so, that we will see more and more farmers go out of business and the U.S. will not be food secure. Yet, for some reason, the thought that retirees and individuals on fixed incomes also do want to or are not able to pay more, does not seem worry him at all. As an example, someone who owns 2 acres is paying approximately $200 an acre for water. Furthermore, this rate will only go up each year. The result, I fear, is that more and more small landowners and small farmers will be economically forced to abandon their water rights. This decision may have large economic repercussions, and I will elaborate on this more in my next letter to the editor.

Rob Stevens

Powell