I wish to thank the Idaho Mountain Express for the editorial in the Jan. 26 edition on the Legacy Project and the kind words on my personal effort. While much work remains, a living, reconnected Big Wood River is within reach. It is important to recognize that it has taken many people to bring the project to this point, taking it well beyond a one-person effort.
The Legacy Advisory Board has been central to our success to this point. Without the leadership, counsel and insight of valley residents Andy Munter, Scott Schnebly, Jed Gray and Larry Schoen—to name just a few—we could not be where we are today. Down-basin residents Carl Pendleton and Rich Dinges have been key to securing support from our basin neighbors and irrigation districts, and have helped to remind us that our community is not just the Wood River Valley, but extends all the way to the Snake River Plain. Without the financial support from people in the valley who shared the vision of legacy and a living river, we could not have come to this point.
Last, but very far from least, let us recognize Idaho Rivers United, without whose sponsorship the effort would have folded long ago. By reaching out to agricultural interests IRU has demonstrated leadership, breaking new political ground. For too long in Idaho, politics have dictated that if you cannot agree with someone on everything, you cannot work together on anything. IRU, the Big Wood Canal Co., the Northside Canal Co. and state agricultural interests have broken that cycle, and we can hope it a harbinger of things to come. The people of our valley, our basin and our state deserve nothing less.
Rich McIntyre
Hailey
