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(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman was joined by Mike Delka, manager of the Bostwick Irrigation District, in announcing a tentative agreement between the state and local irrigators for the purchase of the region’s 2006 water allocation.
“I want to say thank you the Bostwick Irrigation District,” Gov. Heineman said. “This agreement is very good news for our state. It represents a significant step forward and shows that our state is willing to put Nebraska’s best interests ahead of any personal interests. I look forward to working with all our partners in the region to address remaining challenges as we work towards the goal of sustainable water management here and for our entire state.”
The agreement was announced following an afternoon meeting of the Bostwick Irrigation District held to decide whether to commit to the proposed leasing of water rights. Irrigators voted 172 to 14 to accept the proposal, pending the availability of state funds.
In partnership with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Attorney General’s Office, the Governor has been working to develop an arrangement to provide a one-time payment to area irrigation districts for the lease of their water supply during the 2006 irrigation season. Under the terms of the agreement, the state will direct water supplies from the Bostwick District to Kansas in an effort to help the state comply with the terms of the 2001 Republican River Compact settlement.
Attorney General Jon Bruning said, “This is a critical step in avoiding potential litigation with Kansas. I’m hopeful this decision will make it clear to our neighbors that Nebraska will do everything we can to hold up our end of the bargain.”
The Governor has proposed directing state funds for the short-term leasing of surface water in the region. The funding was proposed as a one-time commitment to give Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) in the basin time to study the impact of regional water management plans already in effect. Charged with the management of surface water supplies in the state, area NRDs have implemented conservation plans resulting in substantially less water being used than was originally allocated.
The Appropriations Committee included approximately $2.7 million in funding as part of the proposed budget submitted to the Nebraska Legislature last week.
Acting DNR Director Ann Bleed said, “This is a very important step that will help us work through a very difficult transition period, made more difficult by very dry conditions in the basin. This decision will allow us to move forward in addressing statewide challenges and will help as we continue working with NRDs to implement water management plans.”
The state is also involved in similar discussions with the Riverside Irrigation Company and the Frenchman Valley Irrigation District. Riverside irrigators have already agreed to sign a tentative agreement, pending the availability of state funds.
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