MRNRD ponders consequences of shutdown

CURTIS, Nebraska -- The threat of a government shut down and its effects on full- and part-time employees of the Natural Resources Conservation Service offices for the Middle Republican Natural Resources District is a topic of discussion its monthly meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Curtis Community Center.

"This kind of puts us in an awkward position," said Dan Smith, the MRNRD Manager. "This has happened only once before in my time."

The last time the government had a shut down, in 1995, it affected NRCS offices across the United States. The board in 1995 voted to continue to pay its employees who were affected as if they were on administrative leave. The current board will have to decide whether to follow that precedent or ask the employees to take personal leave.

Also on the agenda is discussion involving the most recent developments and rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court on the challenge by Kansas that Nebraska shorted it water in 2005-06. A special master, attorney William J. Kayatta Jr. of Portland, Maine, has been appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear petitions from Kansas

The board also will consider a request for support of a Bureau of Reclamation Basin Study. Supporting the study will cost the MRNRD $15,000. The rest of the $2 million costs for the study will come from the Bureau of Reclamation.

"For the cost, this is good," said Smith.

In response to the MRNRD's request to look at the percentage breakdown between the three Republican River Districts, the Department of Natural Resources has said that there may be about a one percent change in the water allotments each district receives. The change could mean a slight increase for the MRNRD, now at 30 percent.

A variance hearing scheduled for requests from Riverside Irrigation Company and Geraldine Clark. Riverside Irrigation Co. is requesting a hearing under rule 5-3.11, regarding a supplemental well. Clark is requesting a hearing under rule 4-6, regarding certification of acres.

The agenda for both the meeting and the hearing may be found online at www.mrnrd.org or at the meeting.