Republican River tour will address water use

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

An early June tour will visit the lower Republican River basin in Kansas and Nebraska to help answer water use questions in both states.

The annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce tour will be June 3-5, beginning and ending on UNL’s East Campus.

Kansas took legal action against Nebraska 10 years ago over the water compact the two states and Colorado share. That suit ended in 2002, when the two states negotiated a settlement.

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In 2003, Nebraska officials began efforts aimed at meeting obligations in the settlement, but between 2003 and 2006 Nebraska’s water consumption exceeded the agreed-upon limits.

So Kansas threatened renewed court action against Nebraska last year. And it recently said it would like to collect more than $70 million in damages from Nebraska for its overuse of Republican River water from 2003 to 2006.

Tour stops and presentations begin near the river's mouth at Junction City, Kan.

Other Kansas tour stops include Milford Reservoir, Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District and a site near Keith Sebelius Reservoir, where Kansas State University and University of Nebraska researchers are investigating changes in runoff caused by terracing and other measures.

In Nebraska, the tour visits a recently completed ethanol plant at Cambridge. Efforts to control salt cedar and other invasive species, using special funding provided by the Legislature, will be examined below Harlan County Dam.

On the final day, Nebraska tour participants will join those taking part in a similar tour organized by the Kansas Geological Survey.

Following lunch at Superior Estates Winery, legislative and executive branch officials from both states will discuss water issues in the Republican River basin.

Tour price is $390 per person single occupancy or $360 per person double occupancy and includes all food, lodging and motor coach expenses.

To register, or for more information, contact Michelle Meyer at the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, (800) 652-9435.

Registration deadline is May 9 and participation is limited to the first 50 registrants.