LB 701 Passes 2nd Round
Mark Christensen's water bill LB 701 passed the second round today on a voice vote. It must also pass final reading and be accepted by the Governor but both of those things are highly likely to happen.
The Amendment
Point 1 tries to make it clear that the Legislature has no intention of having this set a precedent regarding compensation for reductions in water allocations. This is economic aid only and is not done because it is required. It is an act of support only.
Point 2 requires the NRDs to answer within 45 days any questions the Natural Resource Committee might have as to the NRD plans.
Point 3 requires that any acres that can be irrigated with both surface water and groundwater wells be restricted on their groundwater allocation if their surface water is purchased. This goes into effect after the 2007 irrigation season.
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The Legislation allocates 4 million dollars to vegetation control. How the money will be spent will be decided by a task force. The NRDs or others can apply for a grant that will allow them to use to manage vegetation.
The most important part of the bill is the authority given to the NRDs to levy a property tax and occupation tax and the authority to float bonds. That tax can be collected beginning May of 2008. It allows for both a $0.10 per hundred dollars increase in property tax and a new occupation tax on irrigated land of up to $10 an acre. The bonds can be used to commit to large multi-million dollar projects.
The DNR has made it clear that it will seek additional allocation reductions for the next Integrated Management Plan that also begins in 2008. The NRDs have publicly agreed to make unspecified reductions.
The Legislation does not address the existing accumulated overages of 136,000 acre feet. It assumes that this will be sufficient money for the NRDs to keep the State in compliance on an annual basis.
The NRDs and the DNR now have the authority to raise funds to work on the problem via other methods besides just reducing the amount of irrigation. The Republican River Basin NRDs have been given great authority and responsibility. Most of LB 701 was drafted in secret without public input or review. Because that method worked well, there is a fair chance that the integrated management plans and the negotiations between the NRDs and the surface irrigation districts will also be done in secret. It is likely that hearings will be held only after most of the decisions have been made.
The people receiving most of the benefits will pay the vast majority of the costs. The cause of the problem has not been addressed nor does it appear that it will be addressed.
The NRDs now run the show. If you don't like what they do, then you need to get elected to the NRD board. It is about the only way you can affect what happens.