|
Who is WaterClaim
Several of you have asked, "who is WaterClaim?"
We are a group of irrigators and ag businesses. We are
concerned about water policy. WaterClaim members come from
over 25 communities. Our focus is on the Republican River
Basin. However, we have a lot of things in common with the
Platte River Basin and we know what we are experiencing now will
soon be experienced in the Platte.
Nebraska made an agreement with Kansas in 1943 that has been
reinterpreted by the courts in 2002. Nebraska is failing to
live within the limitations as set by the Agreement. Because
of this, there is a real risk that a Federal judge will order the
shutdown of all irrigation in the Republican River Basin in the year
2009 or 2010. The decisions we make today determine how
probable that shutdown is.
WaterClaim believes we have three options as a State.
- Continue as we are now. Ignore the issue and hope it
just goes away. The aquifer will eventually dry up and the
streams will eventually go dry. It will happen sooner for
some than others. We do not believe this is a responsible
option.
- Shut down irrigation. There are various levels of
shutdown. A complete shut down is possible if Nebraska
fails to comply with the Kansas Agreement. Some very
influential individuals argue for a reduction in usage by half.
If a shut down happens then we believe it should be over a long
enough period that the area can adjust and the community should
be aware that is what is planned with a clear timeline and
schedule.
- Increasing the water supply. WaterClaim, believes this
is the best option. We believe we should import water into
the Basin near Holdrege as an immediate short term solution. We
realize that this does not address the larger issues of
declining aquifers and streams. But it does get us out of
immediate legal problems with Kansas. We believe the large
issues can be addressed by importing water from one of three
places. The Sandhills, the mound, or the Missouri River.
Each has its pros and cons. We believe the options are
economical.
WaterClaim is made up of people that want to protect the aquifer,
see the streams flow and keep our economy alive so that there is
someone here to enjoy what we have protected.
We hope you will join us. We welcome ideas on how to
resolve the issue. |