Farmer Faces Fine After Chasing Off Inspector

A dairyman who allegedly flashed a pistol to run a state inspector off his land has until Friday to prove he is not violating Idaho water law.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources has ordered Jake Bosma to reduce his dairy herd to 350 milking cows, which is the maximum permitted under a “domestic” water right.

Bosma will face a $100-a-day fine if he fails to limit the size of his milking herd.

Water Resources officials say Bosma told them he is milking 400 cows.

The agency tried to count his cows on Sept. 11, but the dairyman would not allow Water Resources employee Dallas Tryon onto the property.

Bosma told him to come back later that day, but then gestured to a pistol and ran him off when he returned, officials said.

The neighboring Butler family fears their spring for drinking water will be contaminated by manure from the dairy designed to accommodate 1,400 cows.