Colorado Pipeline Effect on Nebraska
A story in the Colorado newspaper Sterling Journal Advocate reports:
- Colorado will comply with the Republican River Basin Compact by pumping water to the Nebraska State line.
- Water rights for approximately 15,000 acre feet a year.
- 9,500 acres of irrigated land idled and used for compliance.
- Water rights purchased from land owners for approximately $5,263 an acre.
- Cost per acre foot for the water is approximately $3,333.
- Cost to build the pipeline is approximately $1,400 per acre foot.
- Tax on irrigated acres to the landowners of the Colorado portion of the Republican River Basin are $14.50 an acre
- Subject to approval by the Colorado Legislature and the State of Kansas
- Pipeline construction to begin in fall of 2008 and projected completion date of July 2009