More water problems bubbling in Neb. Legislature

By NATE JENKINS

LINCOLN, Neb.

Water-funding problems are bubbling up in the Nebraska Legislature, with some lawmakers trying to reassure those who worry the state doesn't have a backup plan to address what Gov. Dave Heineman has called the issue of the decade.

"We're about to go down a very dangerous path, pulling a funding source when we don't have another one in place," Sen. Lavon Heidemann of Elk Creek said.

Lawmakers on Monday debated but did not vote on a bill that would block a plan to use part of an existing, per-bushel checkoff fee on corn and grain sorghum to raise money for the state water fund. A vote is expected this week.

State officials have been expecting the portion of the checkoff that now goes to an ethanol fund to switch to the water fund in 2013, after the ethanol fund is phased out. If it isn't nixed by the Legislature, the 3/5-cent per bushel checkoff fee on corn and grain sorghum is expected to raise more than $7 million annually for the water fund that helps with water management in areas such as in the Platte and Republican basins.

Some of the money, for example, could be used to help pay farmers for water so Platte River flows would increase, helping meet conditions of an agreement among Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming to benefit endangered species. The money also could be used to help send Kansas more water during dry years to help comply with the Republican River compact that dictates use of the river's water by Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.

But the plan to use the checkoff for water management has angered farm groups, who say it conflicts with the purpose of the checkoff program -- to promote ag products. The groups have said they are willing to help pay for water management, just not through the checkoff.

"It's outside of the realm of what checkoff dollars are supposed to do," said Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton, a farmer and sponsor of the bill discussed Monday.

Heidemann, who still may support the bill, expressed doubts that a funding plan to replace the checkoff would be crafted, because one hasn't been proposed yet. Lawmakers and others have long known that farmers opposed using the checkoff.

By passing the bill, the Legislature would essentially be saying "we'll get back to you on how we plan to fix it," said Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha.

Supporters of the measure say that passing it will create a powerful incentive to come up with a replacement plan over the next two years: If a new plan isn't devised, irrigators could be shut off.

"This is a perfect way to hold our hands to the fire, to make it happen, because we need to have a funding source," said Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial.