I am running because I care deeply about Cache Valley and its future. Water decisions made today will affect our communities, agriculture, recreation, and environment for generations. I want to ensure that local residents have a strong voice in discussions involving the Logan River EIS and other major water projects.

My goals are straightforward. First, I want to bring additional perspectives and community concerns into the decision-making process surrounding major water projects. Good decisions require public involvement, transparency, and consideration of long-term impacts.

Second, I want to improve the public's access to information about the Cache Water District. Many residents are unfamiliar with the district's role or have difficulty finding meeting agendas, minutes, and other important information. I would support improving the district website, regularly publishing meeting materials, and making it easier for citizens to stay informed and engaged.

My long-term plan is simple: conservation over construction.

Cache Valley is fortunate to receive much of its water from mountain springs and groundwater aquifers. These sources have provided reliable water supplies for over a century, but they are not inexhaustible. Continued population growth and increased demand require careful management  and a long-term focus.

Before pursuing costly water development projects, we should focus on protecting existing supplies, improving efficiency, reducing waste, and encouraging conservation. While infrastructure upgrades and capacity expansions will sometimes be necessary, conservation should remain our first priority.

By protecting our springs, groundwater, rivers, and reservoirs while promoting responsible water use, we can maintain a reliable water supply for future generations without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers or the environment.

As each citizen, farm, and business all use different types and amounts of water, conservation will look different for each. Citizens can conserve water in a variety of ways. Reducing outdoor usage is the largest impact citizens can personally make. That looks like replacing thirsty landscaping with drought tolerant plants and landscaping. This does not mean we need to remove all turf grass, it means we need to look more closely at where it is appropriate and where it is not. Citizens can also install water wise appliances and support city, county, and state policies that promote conservation. 

As the largest users of water in Cache County, farms have the greatest potential impact in conservation. Conservation will look different to each farm; however, basic principles can make a big difference when applied at a county-wide scale. Monitoring and reporting water usage is an important first step in understanding water usage. Once farms have accurate data regarding water usage, users can make decisions on where, how, and if to conserve water. For some that might look like switching from flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation or vise versa. Others might rethink the crops they plant. Many state and federal programs already exist to help farmers optimize water usage. Water leasing programs are another tool that can help farmers maintain water rights without having to irrigate crops.

Conservation is not just about sending more water to the Great Salt Lake. It is also about protecting the rivers, wetlands, fisheries, recreation opportunities, and natural beauty we enjoy here in Cache Valley. When streams run low, the impacts are local. Healthy water systems support our economy, outdoor recreation, and quality of life.

Effective water management begins with accurate measurement. We cannot manage what we do not measure.

In the future, irrigation systems should utilize modern flow measurement and reporting technologies that provide accurate, transparent water-use data. By partnering with organizations such as the Cache Water District, LRO, USGS, and local irrigation companies, we can improve our understanding of how much water is diverted, consumed, returned to the river system, and delivered downstream.

Much of the foundation for this work already exists, but many facilities rely on aging infrastructure that should be upgraded. Improved measurement, combined with public reporting and transparency, will help water users make informed decisions while ensuring compliance with water rights and conservation goals.