Republican River Compact compliance options to be presented

HOLDREGE -- Brian Dunnigan, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, will outline options on how Nebraska can comply with the Republican River Compact and Kansas v. Nebraska lawsuit settlement during dry years, Thursday, 1 p.m. at the Holdrege City Auditorium, 421 Grant Street.

After initial confusion about when Dunnigan was to speak, Traci Witthuhn of the Republican River Basin Coalition confirmed Tuesday that it would be at 1 p.m.

Options for compact compliance in dry years could include shutting down irrigation wells close to the river, according to Associated Press stories reported in August.

Some, including farmers and business owners, worry that turning off irrigation wells would economically devastate the basin area.

According to the Kearney Hub, Alma insurance company owner Paul Waggoner said he has sent out about 80 letters to his customers informing them of the Holdrege meeting.

Alma School Board members were also encourage to attend Thursday's meeting.

Dunnigan's presentation will come after an earlier meeting of the Nebraska Republican River Management Districts Association, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

According to a new release from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Holdrege meeting will focus on the issue of dry-year Compact compliance with a general discussion of the alternatives available to Nebraska, along with a proposed schedule to move forward with the NRDs to more fully develop Nebraska's comprehensive dry-year compliance plan.

In the coming months, additional public meetings will be scheduled in the basin to discuss alternatives and details of any proposed changes to the Integrated Management Plans, to ensure the state meets its obligations under the compact.