Rare insight

Dear Editor,

RE: Wayne Madsen, former NRD board member and member of the Nebraska Well Drillers Association, on the possibility that the state will take "authority to control groundwater from NRDs and give the authority to the state." ["NRD passes $1.6 million budget" (http://www .mccookgazette.com/story/1170372.html)]

Mr. Madsen demonstrates some rare insight not usually found among officials and board members in upper Platte and Republican River NRDs. It would be wise to follow his advice.

On the front page of the Web site of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, this is the stated mission:

"To assist NRDs in a coordinated effort to accomplish collectively what may not be accomplished individually to conserve, sustain, and improve our natural resources and environment."

Few people can argue that NRDs in western and southwest Nebraska have even come close to fulfilling their mission. If they had, we would not be mired in the present dilemma of rapidly-diminishing groundwater levels. (Check out the USGS groundwater maps.)

It is time that the state of Nebraska hold NRDs to their stated mission. They have been elected or appointed to protect Nebraska's water for ALL Nebraskans, not just groundwater irrigators. If they choose not to abide by that mission, then take the authority away from them before our water quantity and quality problems worsen even more.

Pete Letheby,

via e-mail