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Crapo Warns Of Choppy Waters For Lake Lowell Users

 May 27, 2011 ⋅  Post a comment

Idaho Senior Senator Mike Crapo issued a press release Friday warning users of Lake Lowell within the Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge of potential boating restrictions in the near future.

Not wanting to make waves among boaters, fishermen, and wildlife managers, Crapo points to a 100 year record of co-existance among the groups AND the waterfowl frequenting the refuge.

“I am disappointed with today’s announcement because it appears this may be a case of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposing a solution that is in search of a problem. My feeling can be generally categorized as ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.’ Based on this preliminary recommendation, it appears that the agency may simply be satisfying a bureaucratic requirement that ignores the facts on the ground,” said the senior Sen.

A Crapo spokesman noted the refuge and lake wouldn’t exist without the water and the water is ALL owned by the irrigators. The source of the water is from the Boise River which fills Lake Lowell via the New York Canal, irrigating crops and residential land along the way from Lucky Peak Reservoir east of Boise. See the Deer Flat USFWS proposals HERE.

CRAPO PRESS RELEASE TEXT FOLLOWS

CRAPO ON LAKE LOWELL: IF IT ISN’T BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT
Reminds USFWS to note century of success on the ground at the lake

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today issued preliminary recommendations for changes at southwest Idaho’s Lake Lowell and Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Under the agency review process, a public comment period will now open regarding the agency’s preferred alternative plan for the lake, which is to restrict public access and boating. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement following an initial review of the agency’s recommendations:

“Lake Lowell has a one-hundred year track record of outstanding performance when it comes to wildlife protection, and use by recreationalists, sportsmen, irrigators and a host of multiple user groups. While I will review this latest proposal from the agency in depth, I encourage the public to again weigh in and I pledge that I will continue to work with citizens, local leaders and my Delegation partners and the agency to help craft a permanent solution.

“I am disappointed with today’s announcement because it appears this may be a case of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposing a solution that is in search of a problem. My feeling can be generally categorized as ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.’ Based on this preliminary recommendation, it appears that the agency may simply be satisfying a bureaucratic requirement that ignores the facts on the ground.”

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