Water follows money?

Dear Editor,

I read with great interest all the rhetoric that has been in the Forum the last few days about how to "MAKE KANSAS HAPPY."

I did not see the foundational problem addressed that would provide an assured supply of water for future generations of Southwest Nebraska citizens. We simply cannot remove more water from either our ground water or surface water sources than nature provides and achieve that goal. Prudent management can achieve the goal of sustainable water usage.

The idea of "augmentation" is not a viable solution in either practical or political terms, inmy opinion. It would have the same problems as the trans basin diversion notions that have been unsuccessfully pursued in the past, plus being very costly to implement.

It appears that if we continue on the path we seem to be on, it will simply be another example of the beneficial water use going to the users with the most money. If this is to be the case, then the money should be provided by the users that are to benefit, and no one else.

Sincerely,

W. Owen Elmer,

Former state senator

Indianola