Misrepresentations

Dear Editor,

Recent [Open Forum letters] have misrepresented the programs and policy of the Middle Republican NRD and I feel a comment is necessary.

Anyone who participated in or listened to the discussion for the consideration of our recently adopted Integrated Management Plan knows that the direction given by the board was to prevent the shutdown of acres in the rapid response area. Discussions with the Bureau of Reclamation have eased some of their concerns.

The IMP is just a plan. It is implemented by developing rules and regulations for a management area. My direction from the board was clear, develop rules, programs and projects that keep the NRD within our share of the allocated supplies of the basin.

This is what we agreed to three years ago and by revising the IMP we have reaffirmed that position.

These rules will be reviewed and considered by the board over the next couple of months. The rules will probably set up a procedure where all allocations are reduced in dry years, not for just a few. Programs that allow those who are interested to retire acres will continue. Projects that lease surface water or ground water will be developed.

Augmenting stream flow with ground water in dry years is still under consideration. With the cooperation of all water users we can maintain the economic viability of the area and minimize the impact to the producer. Whether your address is McCook, Wallace, Hayes Center or Curtis you have an interest in the water supplies of this basin.

Whether you farm, teach school or run a main street business, you have an interest in this basin. If your goal is to keep your use while someone else loses theirs, then you will probably be disappointed. The directors of the MRNRD are elected at large and represent the entire district, not just their neighborhood and must develop programs that provide the maximum benefit with the least amount of impact to the district.

We will support the activities of the sustainability task force and will follow their progress. NRDs do not become sustainable, producers do.

I know of few producers who could be considered sustainable in their own operation with the exception being a ranching operation or dryland farmer. Very few irrigators could be considered sustainable. Cities are not sustainable. A small rural acreage is not sustainable. The differences in ground water and surface water laws make it difficult to achieve sustainability of all of our supplies. A wise use of our resources, uses that are reasonable and beneficial is what we all should pursue.

Daniel L. Smith,

Manager

Middle Republican NRD