Reader weighs in on MLIRD issues

I was confused by a MLIRD flyer I received on Nov. 23. It states thatv the "irrigation water right is available to ratepayers in the district." Well, unless you live on the lake, you don't get the use of the "water right" you pay for.

The huge increase in the volume of Bureau water has given us a current water clarity better than ever. But the increase in sediments and nutrients as well as plant life carried into our lake create an ever-increasing burden on ratepayers too.

The flyer implies that by not dredging, lake water quality suffered. Dredging in the area where Bureau water rushes into our lake actually mixes nutrients held in the lake bottom sediment back into the water rushing in! A catch-22. Not dredging did not contribute to an algae bloom! All other MLIRD water quality efforts were continued, contrary to the implication that "nothing was done."

The flyer claimed that testing the dredge in October "proved effective." Yet no estimate of sediment removed was included. I would like to see dredging continue; we've spent enough money on it and have all the permits. The permitting process to remove sediment when our lake is at its lowest should be continued as well. Dredging alone will never remove the amount of sediment currently existing. Both methods are needed.

We have two men seeking a MLIRD board position. One served the public for years as a sheriff's deputy and was the campaign manager for current board member, Ron Covey. The other has grown up in business all his life, from sweeping floors to managing projects worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, interacting with engineers, inspectors and government regulators as well. He is very much his own man, whose breadth of experience makes him the better choice.

Jon Smith

Moses Lake