Next step is up to Legislature

Pardon us for saying so, but water can be -- and often is -- a "dry" subject. We're not talking about the drought, although that is definitely a factor, but, instead, we're referring to all the technical terms that are bandied about in water discussions.

The difficulty in deciphering water rules and regulation is again of concern because of the recommendations set forth this week by the Nebraska Water Policy Task Force. What's up? Will these recommendations serve the best long-term interests of Nebraska's water users?

Fortunately for the southwest section of the state, five area residents served on the water task force, meeting frequently to help the state come to grips with the different needs of water users.

Those representing Southwest Nebraska were Robert Ambrosek of Haigler, an irrigator and a member of the Upper Republican Natural Resources board; Dan Smith of Maywood, manager of the Middle Republican Natural Resources District; Claude Cappel of McCook, an irrigator; Jack Maddux of Wauneta, a rancher; and Jim Coady of McCook, who represented recreational water users.

On Tuesday of this week, four area newspeople sat down with three of the task force members -- Ambrosek, Cappel and Smith -- in an attempt to better understand the scope of the Water Task Force's recommendations. Meeting with them were Russ Pankonin of the Imperial Republican, Richard Bartholomew of the Benkelman Post, and Gene Morris and Dawn Cribbs 0f the McCook Daily Gazette.

So what did we find out? First -- in the opinion of the three members -- the task force recommendations are in the best long-term interests of Nebraska and should be enacted by the Nebraska Legislature. Ironically, the task force members say, the area of the state which is helped the least by the state plan is the Southwest section. Why is this area not helped? Because we have already had to face up to water conservation issues because of the Republican River lawsuit.

Also, water use in Southwest Nebraska is "over appropriated," one of those technical water terms which means there is more demand than there is water available.

Still, the task force members from this area believe the water recommendations should be enacted because (1) The plan sets up an Integrated Management Plan to manage all connected groundwater and surface water in the state; and (2) The plan calls for ongoing state funding, which members say is the key to long-term success.

The task force has done its job, with Ambrosek joining in presenting the recommendations to the governor in Lincoln Thursday. Early next month, the attention shifts to the Legislature, which will have to responsibility of deciding whether to enact the Water Task Force recommendations, and, if so, how to fund them on a continuing basis.