News Archive
One of the best ways to keep current with the regulations and activities that involve the Republican River Basin is to check local news stories. Several newspapers such as the McCook Gazette, Lincoln Journal Star, Kearney Hub and Yuma Pioneer have historical and up-to-date information on water and drought issues affecting the Republican River Basin. There are also publications relating to current regulations, legislative activities, and associated Republican River Basin events in The Water Information Program and the Water Efficiency Journal.
Check out the recent news stories below:
Kansas Returns to Supreme Court with River Issues, Lori Potter, Kearny Hub, May 5, 2010 - Faced with three state options that would either impose much tighter water allocation rules on all their irrigators or shut off wells serving thousands of acres in dry years, three Republican River natural resources districts are hard at work on Option 4.
NRDs Still Looking Beyond State's Republican River Options, Art Hovey, Lincoln Journal Star, January 5, 2010 - Faced with three state options that would either impose much tighter water allocation rules on all their irrigators or shut off wells serving thousands of acres in dry years, three Republican River natural resources districts are hard at work on Option 4.
Republican River Plan on Fast Track, Nate Jenkins, Lincoln Journal Star, September 30, 2009-A new plan to keep Nebraska in compliance with the Republican River Compact is on the fast track. Governor Dave Heineman told natural resources district officials that he wants the plan to be completed by early December.Nebraska Officials: Irrigation Shutdown a Last Resort, Nate Jenkins, Lincoln Journal Star, September 17, 2009-Shutting down irrigation in parts of the Republican River Basin during dry years in order to send Kansas more water is being considered, but only as a "last resort," Nebraska officials told around 300 farmers on Thursday.
Nebraska Calls for New Irrigation Rules, Nate Jenkins, Lincoln Journal Star, August 24, 2009-Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman's administration has suggested irrigation shutdown in a large area of the Republican River basin during dry years to help send Kansas the water it is owed under a three-state compact.
Kansas, Nebraska Still at Odds in Water Dispute, Jean Ortiz, Lincoln Journal Star, July 30, 2009-Nebraska and Kansas officials will continue to wage a high-stakes battle over use of the Republican River, but it remains unclear just where that fight will play out or what it might take to resolve it.
More Analysis Offered on Republican River Arbitration, Steve Smith, McCook Daily Gazette, July 2, 2009-In this article Steve Smith of WaterClaim.org provides an analysis of Tuesday's decision issued by the Republican River Compact arbitrator.
Two States Claim River Victory, Henry J. Cordes, Omaha World Herald, July 1, 2009-The latest decision in a long-running water dispute between Nebraska and Kansas was good for Nebraska's taxpayers, at least for now. An arbitrator ruled that Nebraska owes Kansas only a token of the $72 million dollars that Kansas once claimed Nebraska owed them.
Arbitrator Dreher Recommends Lower Penalty, Notes that Kansas Can't Tell Nebraska How to Comply, Lori Potter and Ginger Jensen, Kearney Hub, July 1, 2009-Nebraska’s bill for damages to Kansas for Republican River Compact noncompliance in 2005 and 2006 is much less than anticipated.
However, Nebraska officials may have to rewrite integrated water management plans for the Natural Resources Districts in the basin area.
Bill Would Continue Paying to Clear Rivers, The Associated Press, Lincoln Journal Star, May 7, 2009-Nebraska lawmakers have voted to keep paying to clear vegetation from the Republican and Platte river basins.
It would cost $2 million each of the next two years, but could save the state much more by increasing the amount of water that flows into Kansas.
DNR Director Denies Request to Look at Republican River Basin Again, Lori Potter, Kearney Hub, April 14, 2009- Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Director Brian Dunnigan has denied an irrigation district's petition that asked him to re-evaluate whether the Republican Basin is overappropriated. Frenchman-Cambridge Irrigation District officials wanted him to take another look at whether the main stem and tributaries of the Republican River upstream are over appropriated.
Much of Republican Basin in Water Upswing, Art Hovey, Lincoln Journal Star, February 20, 2009-When Kansas and Nebraska argued over shares of Republican River flows four years ago, the water level in Harlan County Reservoir was at its lowest point since it was filled in 1957. For this year's irrigation and recreation season, the river is 20 feet higher and full for the second year in a row.
Method Uncertain for LB 701 Refunds, Lorri Sughroue, McCook Gazette, February 11, 2009-LB 701 was ruled unconstitutional February 6, 2009. Now the Middle Republican Natural Resources District must figure out what to do with the millions of dollars in property and occupation taxes collected under LB 701. It is unclear how the property taxes will be returned to taxpayers at this point, according to Dan Smith, MRNRD general manager.