As winter draws to a close, the Town of Twisp is considering leasing its water rights for irrigation purposes. But with climate change threatening to exacerbate droughts and water scarcity in the region, is it really wise to sell every last drop of water for a few extra bucks?

According to recent data, the snowpack at Harts Pass is below last year’s levels at this time. This is a worrying trend, as the Methow and Okanogan valleys rely on snowpack to recharge streams and rivers throughout the year, and for household and commercial water use, agriculture, and fish. With every inch of snowpack and drop of water becoming increasingly precious, is it really the time to lease water rights to corporations for their profit?

As one local resident put it, “We need every last snowflake and raindrop to keep our community thriving. Selling our water rights is like selling our future down the river.”

Indeed, with climate change posing an ever-increasing threat to the region’s water supply, it’s crucial that we conserve every drop of water and snowpack that we can. Who knows what future droughts and water shortages may bring?

Perhaps it’s time for the Town of Twisp to reconsider its proposal to lease water rights. Instead of selling off our water for short-term gain, let’s focus on conserving and protecting this precious resource for generations to come.

After all, as the saying goes, “Water is life.” And in a region where every inch of snowpack and drop of water counts, we simply can’t afford to sell it off for profit.

So let’s put aside our greed and short-sightedness and focus on what really matters: preserving our water supply for a sustainable future.