Water Bills Threaten Irrigation

Two Nebraska bills could possibly threaten irrigation throughout the state. Under the proposed legislation, areas of the Upper Republican Natural Resources District, where groundwater declines have occurred, would be the determining factor of the amount of irrigation allocated.

Areas with a 20% decline in the saturated thickness of the aquifer since 1963 would receive only 50% of the allotted irrigation allocation. Areas with a 30% decline in the same time frame would be shut down, under the proposed legislation.

Another proposed bill, under the “share and share alike” groundwater policy, could force all irrigators to have the same allocation, even if that meant zero. The bill’s sponsor stated that if Nebraska is to remain in compliance with state compacts and have groundwater supplies for future generations, then a discussion on groundwater declines is needed. He said fostering that discussion was the purpose for introducing the bill.

Opponents of the bills state that passage of either would be detrimental to groundwater irrigation in the district. In addition, it would wreak economic havoc on the region.