Highjacking Nebraska's water

Dear Editor,

Just what gives? In an affirmative nod to their mounting reputation as a government body of ill repute, the NRDs, at the June meeting of the Lower Platte River Basin Coalition, denied my public comment -- conceivably violating, once again, the state's open meetings laws. No wonder the public is sheepish and feels their attendance is all for not. It's almost Tammany Hall-esque but for the fact that the infamous Boss Tweed at least listened to the people.

This brings us to the critical question: Why might the NRDs wish to muffle public debate? Could it be the NRDs' proposed water banking system, which, according to our state statues, is not allowed? Might it be the NRDs' suggested $10 per acre tax on all irrigated lands? Or, perhaps the NRDs just don't want to hear from those rural landowners whose economic viability is threatened by the ignominious scheme to abscond with their water rights?

The seven NRDs have opened up a veritable Pandora's Box with their recent vote to provide engineering firm HDR with a $300,000 no-bid contract, which calls for drafting a proposal to move water from the center of the state to the Omaha area. You will undoubtedly be hearing the new term "conjunctive water uses." It could be a good program, however the board members of the Lower Platte River Basin Coalition do not want to place limits or restrictions on what conjunctive water use practices are allowed or not allowed. Practices that would encourage and provide more and better water utilization I strongly support. However, programs that deprive agriculture users of the ability to expand or even take irrigated acres out of production will affect the rural economy's very survival.

When a legislative bill with good intentions to help the Republican River Basin and promote so-called water sustainability is hijacked, it results in diminished economic growth in rural areas and subsidizes Omaha's economy. There is more to this state than just Omaha! Omaha, for years, has poached the rural population of the state, and now they want to siphon off the water. Maybe our problem is also with the unicameral and its dependence on the myopic vision articulated by this state's intrusive special interests.

Scott Japp

PMRNRD Director

Arlington, Nebraska