Economic Impact of Agricultural Water Restrictions in Southeastern Idaho
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Morey Burnham Dr. Meg du Bray Dr. Katrina Running
Abstract
Across the arid West, climate change poses threats to agricultural water availability; in southeastern Idaho, stakeholders have attempted to preemptively address these and other water issues. In 2015, farmers and other stakeholders signed the Managed Aquifer Recharge Settlement Agreement (MARSA). While this agreement has provided safe harbor from water calls until 2020, farmers face significant water cut requirements, which may negatively affect their ability to remain profitable. As part of MARSA, groundwater users agreed to an average cut back of 12.9% of water previously used for irrigation. Understanding the economic impact of these cuts is essential to facilitating and supporting the adaptations needed for farm operations to remain economically viable. By analyzing interview data, this research aims to provide an initial understanding of the impacts of the water cuts on crop yield production and household income. Additionally, we identify factors that shape the level of impact experienced by individual farmers. We anticipate that factors such acreage owned and crop rotation will influence the level of impact that the agreement had on farmers, and that farmers will describe these intersections in interviews.
Economic Impact of Agricultural Water Restrictions in Southeastern Idaho
Across the arid West, climate change poses threats to agricultural water availability; in southeastern Idaho, stakeholders have attempted to preemptively address these and other water issues. In 2015, farmers and other stakeholders signed the Managed Aquifer Recharge Settlement Agreement (MARSA). While this agreement has provided safe harbor from water calls until 2020, farmers face significant water cut requirements, which may negatively affect their ability to remain profitable. As part of MARSA, groundwater users agreed to an average cut back of 12.9% of water previously used for irrigation. Understanding the economic impact of these cuts is essential to facilitating and supporting the adaptations needed for farm operations to remain economically viable. By analyzing interview data, this research aims to provide an initial understanding of the impacts of the water cuts on crop yield production and household income. Additionally, we identify factors that shape the level of impact experienced by individual farmers. We anticipate that factors such acreage owned and crop rotation will influence the level of impact that the agreement had on farmers, and that farmers will describe these intersections in interviews.