When you think of water in Idaho, your mind might go to great memories of your favorite stream or lake; for some, our mind wanders to the plans and programs designed to support water management in our hometowns and communities. For Jo Ann Cole-Hansen, a 5th generation Idahoan residing in North Central Idaho, it’s a mixture of both. Between swimming 2.2 miles in Lake Couer d’Alene for Iron Man and working for the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District, Jo Ann thinks about water from many perspectives. Aside from work and play, Jo Ann also serves on an eight-member board, known as the Idaho Water Resources Board. Each member is appointed by the governor. The Board is designated to carry out our state’s water plan, financial support, and operations for sustainable management practices for farmers, ranchers, and residents throughout all of Idaho.
Like many Idahoans, Jo Ann wasn’t entirely familiar with the water board in her everyday life. She was approached to join in 2018 and was instantly intrigued. Water is used differently in north-central Idaho than in other parts of the state. She understood that coming onto this board meant facing challenges in many facets. With our ever-growing population and the complexities that our state is at the forefront of facing, we need passionate and knowledgeable people to pursue resource management in a way that recognizes generations prior and generations to come. Jo Ann puts it effectively by saying “I’m hopeful that I can bring a different perspective”.
By law, the Board is selected based on four-year terms, with varying political parties, in larger part to ensure that the group can continuously bring different perspectives to issues facing water in Idaho. Jo Ann reminds us that something important to remember is that in issues of water management, it is not specific to gender, race, or age; water is used by everyone, every day. Women, men, political parties, recreationists, old, young, and new bring different perspectives to the issues we face together.
I asked Jo Ann about her most memorable day on the Board, she smiled and thought about this: another board member started one of our meetings by reading a passage he saw referenced on a license plate: Psalm 65:9. The basis was that we each remain good stewards of the resources available to us and our communities, It was so unexpected yet, pertinent to the discussions we consistently face around water, and it shows the depth of passion for managing water resources that, Jo Ann feels, all of the current board members possess. It was so relevant to our conversations and the work we do on the Board that it created a lasting impression on Jo Ann that day.
Idahoans can empower their communities by being involved, says Jo Ann. That might not be water for you, but she encourages you to find time for the important things in your community. She finishes by saying “We need different people with different voices to have well thought out perspectives and collaboration”. How do you think about water in your everyday life?
Written by Ashlynn Goody, Policy and Outreach Associate for Trout Unlimited based out of Bosie, Idaho.