East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both representing Idaho, have announced the Senate's approval of the Urban Canal Modernization Act. This legislation aims to allocate Bureau of Reclamation funds for repairing urban canals facing significant maintenance challenges. Over time, many western canals, such as the New York Canal in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, have transitioned from rural settings to being surrounded by urban infrastructure.

Senator Crapo highlighted the potential risks posed by aging urban canals to nearby communities. He stated, “Providing resources to local canal managers will protect the growing residential and business area along the New York Canal in Boise.”

Senator Risch emphasized the importance of maintaining these canals for community safety and regional lifestyle preservation. He remarked, “Maintaining urban canals is critical to protect our communities and way of life in the West,” adding that he was pleased with the Senate's passage of his bill.

The act also has support from U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

The New York Canal in Idaho stretches 41 miles from the Boise River to Lake Lowell and was originally surrounded by farmland. Now part of a rapidly expanding metropolitan area, it faces unique infrastructure challenges due to its new surroundings. Like many other urban canals across the West, it serves crucial agricultural and municipal functions but requires extraordinary maintenance due to its proximity to homes and businesses.

Currently, these urban canals lack straightforward access to funding for necessary repairs because of their location within developed areas. The Urban Canal Modernization Act seeks to address this issue by permitting Reclamation funds for specific maintenance needs in these environments.