November 2023 Electors

According to the Idaho Department Of Water Resources "A drought is a period of prolonged shortages in the water supply as a result of below-average natural precipitation (snow and rain) affecting surface water and ground water. Droughts can occur in all types of climate and can last for months or years." 

The U.S. Drought Monitor reports “[a drought] is a slow-moving hazard, which causes people to underestimate the damage it can do, but losses from drought are as substantial as those from hurricanes, tornadoes, and other faster-moving disasters. Drought causes losses to agriculture; affects domestic water supply, energy production, public health, and wildlife; and contributes to wildfire.”

 Ammon's water source is LIMITED

In July of 2021 Bonneville County declared a drought emergency for our county. Once approved by the Governor, this allows temporary changes to the use of water rights.  (According the U.S. Drought Monitor Reports as of February 22, 2022 our county is still in a moderate to severe drought.)  

Last year the leadership of the city of Ammon has approved development of high density to "medium" density dwelling at recorded number for Ammon.  This trend has continued into 2022 and has approved an addition of at least three thousands and more dwelling. Here is the issue, from 2001 to 2005 we had drought each year then again in 2007. All with much lower population numbers. What will we do now if we are begin another drought phase?  

Water studies reported to Ammon focus more on infrastructure concerns and less on the amount of water source. Here are some topics to think about. 

• Localized water studies don't seem to fully address drought issues. 
• The study from 2018 did not calculate the growth properly and we are reaching population number five years early.
• The city ask for lower person per household (2.93) to be used in current studies which allows more dwelling density and no  "wiggle room" for drought. 

Citizens voice their concerns meeting after meeting and still city leadership caters to the developer instead of the community interests. 

The Council's goals seemed focused on ONE GOAL-  increase of revenue. No money in the world can buy water that is not available.