Choping Down Trees
First let me say that the trees on the Republican River do need to be managed. There is a very big need to remove much of the overgrowth. Before that happens, I think it would be very wise of the NRDs to think long and hard before that take on the responsibility of removing that vegetation. However, it appears that the NRDs are eager to not only manage tree removal but to pay for it with taxes on groundwater irrigators.
The Bureau of Reclamation did a study that reported that the trees exist because the dams were put in and stopped the floods. They didn't mention prairie fires also being eliminated but between the elimination of floods and fires, the trees took off and now overwhelm the river.
LB 701 provides $2 million dollars in 2007 and another $2 million in 2008 of State money for doing vegetation management studies. Only weed management entities and NRDs can apply for the vegetation removal grants and they must contribute 40% in matching funds. While I am all in favor of managing trees, I am concerned about the NRDs choosing to accept financial responsibility for managing what will be a multi-decade and multi-million dollar solution with no end in sight. My napkin method of estimating the cost of removing enough trees to do what is necessary is about $100 million over the next 10 years.
LB 701 does not obligate the NRDs to accept the responsibility for something they did not cause. Before they take that responsibility, I encourage them to look very closely at what the costs to the local tax payers will be, especially when the State funding disappears in two years. Measure that against the benefits of cleaning up a problem caused by someone other than the NRDs. Perhaps it is worth it but I suspect that our current NRDs boards are making some commitments that are going to haunt us in the future.
What happens if the NRDs don’t apply for the grant from the State? Nothing. Is that a good thing? Or are we better off establishing the idea that the NRDs should use taxes from groundwater irrigators to remove trees along the river?
LINCOLN - Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach today announced that the Department is accepting grant proposals to address riparian vegetation overgrowth in the Republican River Basin. The Riparian Vegetation Management Grant Program was created in LB 701, the comprehensive water legislation signed into law earlier this month by Governor Dave Heineman.
"We will be accepting grant applications through July 1 and intend to make the grant awards in a timely fashion so that successful applicants can begin vegetation management projects yet this year," Ibach said.
The legislation designated the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) as manager of the grant program because of the Department's regulatory role with the state's noxious weed program.
According to LB 701, grant funds can only be disbursed to weed management entities, local weed control authorities and natural resources districts whose territory includes Department of Natural Resources-designated fully or over-appropriated basins. The legislation prioritized this year's funding for projects within the Republican River Basin.
Ibach encouraged entities that meet the qualifications to collaborate on proposals.
"We are looking for projects that meet the legislative goals of using integrated vegetation management and sound science," Ibach said.
An electronic version of the grant application can be accessed at the NDA web site, www.agr.ne.gov, under the "What's New Around the Department?" section. For additional information, interested parties can contact Rich Reiman or Mitch Coffin at NDA by calling 877-800-4080 or (402) 471-2394.