DNR Presents NRDs with 3 Options
The State of Nebraska is presenting the NRDs with three options of which it wants the NRDs to adopt one at their December board meetings.
Option 1 – Set the allocation the same for everyone in an NRD. The allocations would be:
|
NRD |
Allocation |
|
URNRD |
3.6 |
|
MRNRD |
4.8 |
|
LRNRD |
5.9 |
|
TriNRD |
? |
Option 2 – Shut off water use to those close to the stream in water short years.
The number of acres shut off by NRD would be:
|
NRD |
Acres Lost |
|
URNRD |
44,500 |
|
MRNRD |
59,100 |
|
LRNRD |
76,900 |
|
TriNRD |
9,600 |
Total acres losing water under option 2 would be 190,100.
Option 3 – Shut off water use to fewer acres but require a 1% annual reduction in water use from all remaining users.
|
NRD |
Acres Lost |
|
URNRD |
22,700 |
|
MRNRD |
44,500 |
|
LRNRD |
45,800 |
|
TriNRD |
4,200 |
Total acres losing water under option 2 would be 110,000.
Allocations in acre inches
|
NRD |
Current |
10 years from now |
Current Average Use |
|
URNRD |
13 |
11.7 |
12.1 |
|
MRNRD |
12 |
10.8 |
8.9 |
|
LRNRD |
9 |
8.1 |
6.3 |
|
TriNRD |
- |
? |
? |
Questions about compensation to those losing the access to water are usually answered by saying that there is no funding available and that, "Yes, it is legal to discriminate where some keep their water and others lose it."
Options that are not being presented to the NRDs include:
- Corrections to the Model.
- Any alternative which requires funding.