Dear editor:

I would like to recap the letter that I sent to the Shoshone Irrigation District ("SID") commissioner of my district, Ms. Stroh, regarding mossing. Approximately three months ago I mailed a letter to the SID office, attention Ms. Stroh. I followed up with her and copied the SID General Manager, Mr. Trent Reed and then followed up the last time with her again and copied Mr. Reed and SID President Mr. Cox.

On Dec. 18, 2024, I received a reply from Mr. Reed. I want to publicly thank him for taking the time to answer my question and to provide additional details about the activity taken by SID to try to control the moss. I have provided a transcript below, of the full and complete response from Mr. Reed, so that everyone may be more aware of the actions taken by SID.

Mr. Rob Stevens

The Shoshone Irrigation District (SID) in response to recent letters to editor would like to explain a few things that have been brought up. The moss in the system is a very challenging issue that is being controlled though pre-emergent chemical and mechanical removal. This is a very intense process, the pre-emergent chemical is applied in the fall and prevents moss from growing but only works for so long in the season. The need to mechanically moss is then needed. With mechanical mossing you have two pieces of equipment and two operators working 40-50 hrs a week to try and keep up with moss in the system.

Shoshone Irrigation as well as other irrigation districts all deal with the same moss problem. For SID the cost of the mossing with the chemical and mechanical mossing on average is around $100,000-$125,000 a year. While mossing does help get the water through the system is does not get all of it and with the heat this last year it was extremely challenging to get everything in a timely matter as we cannot be everywhere at once. SID is not responsible for cleaning moss in ditches after a headgate that is up to the landowners to make sure they have screens in place and to clean the respective screens from moss and debris. There have been several publications through district newletters over the last few years that have mentioned the challenges we face with the issue. The employees of SID have done a very good job staying on top of the moss issue with heat we  have had this summer.

Trent Reed

Shoshone Irrigation District Manager

Rob Stevens 

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