Bellevue resident Cindy Karst stands in front of one of several slash piles produced after about 150 tall cottonwood trees were clear-cut south of Bellevue on Gannett Road in recent weeks. The trees stood beside a half-mile stretch of the Wood River Valley Irrigation District 45 canal, which delivers water to about 8,000 acres of farmland. The district has stated that the trees absorb a considerable amount of that water. Five years ago, district board members met with nearby residents and county officials over similar clear-cutting along state Highway 75. At that time, they agreed to establish three-year cutting plans, leave some trees in place and notify residents of cutting plans. It is unclear whether residents received notification of the recent cutting. Gerald Bashaw, Irrigation District board chair, did not return calls from the Mountain Express for comment and details on tree cutting in the area. Photo by David N. Seelig