U.S. Water News Online
ALMA, Neb.-- Nebraska faces falling out of compliance with a multistate compact dictating consumption of water from the Republican River based on usage the past two years.
Nebraska exceeded its water allocation by an average of 31,000 acre feet over that period, according to unofficial numbers presented at a meeting.
"It's a big number when you consider what we would have to do to make it up," Ann Bleed, deputy director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, told the Lower Republican Natural Resources District Board of Directors.
The usage figures are unofficial until Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado water commissioners accept them.
The problem may only get worse.
Bleed said a groundwater model developed by the three states in the compact indicates that under current water use and weather patterns, Nebraska could be overusing its compact allocation by 50,000 acre feet by 2030.
"The drought is a big part of the problem," she said. "But it boils down to the fact we have to cut the number of acres being irrigated, without damaging the economy."
Retiring more acres from irrigation will help, but the Legislature will have to be asked to pump in some money to pay for it, Bleed said.
"Personally, I think we have to do the best we can to cut consumption and then make the best case we can to get help from the Legislature to pay for retiring more acres," Bleed said. "We're in this together. That's why we have a joint integrated management plan and why we have to jointly convince the Legislature that this is a state problem."
The 1943 compact allocates the annual virgin water supply in the Republican Basin, with Nebraska getting 49 percent, Kansas getting 40 percent and Colorado using 11 percent. Compact compliance now is based on a five-year accounting, which started in 2003.
Bleed said once the shortfall is made official, and continues for five years, Nebraska would be found to be out of compliance with the compact. That could result in Nebraska being ordered to pay a penalty or more tightly regulate its water usage, she said.
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