Members of the Natural Resources Committee heard testimony Feb. 6 on a bill that would redefine overappropriated groundwater sources.<\/p>\n
Under current language adopted as part of the Platte River Recovery Program, only certain sections of the Platte River can be designated as overappropriated.<\/p>\n
LB1074, introduced by Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, would broaden the language so that any river basin, subbasin or reach could be designated as overappropriated if a state Department of Natural Resources evaluation deems current supply to be insufficient to sustain previously granted appropriations.<\/p>\n
The bill also would deem a basin, subbasin or reach as overappropriated if current use creates a reduction significant enough to fall out of compliance with an interstate compact.<\/p>\n
Lathrop said the current language does not take into account areas that are using more water than is sustainable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can neither predict nor control the weather,\u201d he said. \u201cThis addresses what we can control, which is adopting sustainable management practices.\u201d<\/p>\n
If an official evaluation results in a status change from fully appropriated to overappropriated, the department would be required to notify the relevant natural resources district (NRD) and implement temporary surface and ground water restrictions. The changes would remain in effect until a new integrated management plan could be adopted.<\/p>\n
Mace Hack, state director of The Nature Conservancy of Nebraska, supported the bill, saying current consumption rates are unsustainable.<\/p>\n
\u201cSustainable use of natural resources \u2014 especially water \u2014 should be the focus of our work in Nebraska,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have a collective obligation to current and future generations to fix this problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ann Bleed of Lincoln also testified in support of the bill. She said current law cannot solve the problems faced by the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are fooling ourselves if we think the current law will do anything to maintain the sustainability of our water,\u201d she said. \u201cIf we are really serious about trying to sustain our water supplies, we need to pass this bill.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jay Rempe, vice president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill. He said the changes proposed in the bill would have questionable impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe [current] process isn\u2019t perfect, but we\u2019ve come a long way in trying to address these integrated management issues,\u201d he said, \u201cand we\u2019re not sure that [the changes] would get you any closer to resolving any of these issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
The committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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