The Supreme Court of the United States
supports Water Transfers

In 2004, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) made a water ruling regarding the Arkansas River that should be of great interest to Nebraska regarding the Republican River.  Kansas asked the Court to force Colorado to shut down a large number of wells on the Arkansas River.  SCOTUS ruled that because Colorado had put in place a “water replacement plan,” Colorado could continue to operate its irrigation wells.  

The Colorado “water replacement plan” is the same thing as the water transfer plan WaterClaim suggested.  The key element to the water replacement plan was the importation of water into the Arkansas River Basin when needed.

We believe that if Nebraska puts in place a water transfer plan like what Colorado has done, Nebraska will receive the same protection that Colorado experienced when Kansas demanded the shut down of a large number of wells.

If you want to read more about the important SCOTUS ruling, look at http://tinyurl.com/89zm2

WaterClaim is asking the Governor, the Legislature, and the NRDs to permit this to happen this year.  We believe water transfers are one very important element to a combination of solutions that are required to protect the region's economy.