[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NAMPA AND MERIDIAN IRRIGATION DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. C.L. ``BUTCH'' OTTER

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2004

  Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, we in Idaho place a high value on our water, 
and we understand the critical role that water delivery has played in 
making the arid West bloom. With that in mind, I am honored to extend 
my congratulations and best wishes to the Nampa and Meridian Irrigation 
District on the occasion of its centennial, marking 100 years of 
service to the Treasure Valley on March 9, 2004.
  The Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District is the largest entity of 
its kind in the Treasure Valley, delivering irrigation water to 64,000 
acres of farmland and providing water to pressurized urban irrigation 
systems serving more that 9,500 parcels of land, including residential 
lots, parks, and commercial areas. The district supplied 177,000 acre 
feet of water to water users in its system in 2003. Economists estimate 
the water brought a direct agricultural economic return to the Treasure 
Valley of approximately $10 million.
  On this historic occasion, it is important to pay tribute to the 
Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District and the people responsible for 
its maintenance and operations for their countless contributions to 
water users. But I also want to express my gratitude to the district 
for the cultural, social, and economic contributions it makes to the 
broader community, to the Treasure Valley, and all of Idaho.

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