(Idaho State) Since he took office in 2019, Governor Little has partnered with the Idaho Legislature to invest more than $1.5 billion across water resources, outdoor recreation, effective fire management, and agriculture. The Keeping Promises plan continues to secure our future and maintain our most precious resources with the following recommendations:
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- $100 million for fire management. $60 million in supplemental funding to replenish the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund that was depleted by the 2024 fire season. The Governor also recommends $40 million, the five-year average of fire suppression expenditures, in ongoing funding to ensure Idaho is prepared to manage and suppress fires quickly before they threaten livestock, ranches, farms, and homes. This funding drives a proactive approach to managing Idaho lands responsibly. The Governor’s plan also includes wildland firefighter bonuses to ensure we can retain, recruit, and support our brave men and women who protect Idaho lives and property.
- $5 million for improved aviation and detection strategies to ensure early fire suppression, building on the Governor’s proactive wildfire strategy to safeguard our communities and natural resources.
- $30 million for critical water infrastructure. The ongoing funding will support Idaho’s main economic driver across the state – agriculture. With hundreds of millions in potential storage capacity projects, aquifer recharge needs, particularly in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, and innovative water efficiency tools, ongoing funding will ensure the Idaho Water Resource Board prioritizes effective recharge projects resulting in reliable water for Idaho growers.