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Director, former Upper Republican NRD manager resigns
Dear Editor,
The governor, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Upper Republican Natural Resources District board complain that WaterClaim has been too harsh of a critic of the URNRD. Now Ron Milner, who has very strong credentials, and has long been considered one of the state's best friends and NRD's strongest supporters, has written a public letter echoing one of WaterClaim's biggest complaints. He says, and we strongly agree, that there is a serious problem in how the URNRD currently operates.
Ron Milner was the manager of the Upper Republican NRD board for 25 years. Ron is the individual most responsible for developing allocations and moratoriums on wells. The Upper Republican NRD has been lauded as having some of the most progressive water policies in the nation. The policies limiting acres and restricting the amount of water that can be used are now the model for the rest of the state.
Even though Ron had been retired for many years, he volunteered to fill a vacancy on the NRD board in 2005. Ron brought a great deal of experience to the board. He has dealt personally with many of the water policy makers through Nebraska and Kansas and knows most on a first name basis.
Ron has just resigned from the URNRD. He has done so out of frustration and anger at what has become of the URNRD. His primary complaint is that things have changed since he was manager. Now the Upper Republican NRD is making decisions without involving the public. He feels this is wrong and will fail to gain the crucial support of the community.
WaterClaim has also been frustrated by the attitude of the Upper Republican NRD. Over the last couple of years, we have found the URNRD to be hostile to questions and suggestions. WaterClaim has repeatedly complained about what we believe are illegal closed sessions and have asked a judge to open the process. Ron's resignation and the reason for his resignation should cause the URNRD to reconsider how it treats the public.
Below is an open letter signed by Ron.
**Steve Smith
Imperial
Director
WaterClaim
Dear Editor,
My name is Ron Milner. I was manager of the Upper Republican NRD for 25 years. I helped create the rules that slowed the aquifer decline and are considered the model for the state.
Even though the rules were controversial, all of the rules were made in the open and with full debate. An informed public chose to place restrictions on ourselves to responsibly manage the aquifer.
I was recently appointed to the NRD board to fill a vacant seat. Things have changed since I was manager. Now all important decisions are made by the Executive Board -- a subset of the full board. The full board then approves whatever the Executive Board does without public discussion.
The current NRD board has become arrogant and intolerant of public input. I have tried to change this. It isn't right.
In protest, I have submitted my resignation from the NRD board -- effective immediately.
The decisions made by the NRD are too important to be made without public involvement. The only way I can see to remedy the problem is to vote for new blood. It is time to change how things work. The public must be involved if we are to have water policy that the community can support.
Sincerely,
Ron Milner,
Imperial