The NDNR plan calls for a 10% reduction in usage on all wells plus a 25% to 50% reduction in usage by those wells that are within a mile of the stream.

Our economic analysis shows that this plan will cause about a $50,000,000 economic loss to the area.  This will cause a loss of around 2,000 jobs in the area as many fields go from irrigated to dry land.  The inputs on dry land are far less than what is needed for irrigated ground, which will have an impact on vendors. 

The man responsible for assuring Nebraska provides enough water to Kansas to comply with the Compact is publicly saying that the policies his department is putting into place will not hurt the economy.  His department has no authority over water pumped from the aquifer, except as it affects the stream flow. His department refuses to release consistent information about how much aquifer pumping affects the stream.  His department threatens the NRDs by telling them that if they do not comply with the end results that he wants, their authority will be taken from them.  Yet, his department does not provide the NRDs with enough information to consider any other option than what his department proposes.  

The NDNR believes that all aquifer pumping affects stream flow.  The NDNR is committed to halt the reduction in stream flow. The only way to reconcile those two ideas is to eventually eliminate all aquifer pumping.  This idea cannot be sold politically right now; but each year, the NDNR is likely to impose further restrictions on the NRDs. They are doing this under the concept of "Lag Affect."

The Lag Affect is the time delay that exists between the time water is pumped from the aquifer and the time that pumping has an effect on the stream.  The NDNR is requiring the NRDs to reduce pumping to account for this Lag Affect.  Over the years, this will eliminate most aquifer pumping.

The people who are setting and enforcing water policies believe that aquifer pumping should be greatly reduced or eliminated. They are using the Compact Agreement with Kansas to leverage control on the aquifer.  These people believe they are more likely to be successful in restricting groundwater use, if they do not release the relevant information to the public. 

Your neighbors who sit on the NRD board are in a position to challenge the agenda of those who seek to shut down aquifer use.  Encourage your neighbor to get involved and understand the consequences of the actions that are being taken.  Do we, as a community, want to shut off the water?