SHARING THE PLATTE RIVER

Those of us who have hunted, fished, boated or hiked along the shores of the Platte River that meanders its way across Nebraska will forever cherish and respect this natural phenomenon that is so much a part of our state. Whether we enjoy the spectacle of Sand Hill Cranes in the spring, the gentle flowing waters of summer, the powerful ice jams of winter or the life blood of the farmers who use its water to help feed the world, the Platte is vitally important to all of us in Nebraska and to our neighbors.

It must be protected and preserved. The interests of landowners and environmentalists, which are sometimes at odds when it comes to river use, must be taken into account and balanced so that everyone and everything has the water they require. I’m happy to report that after more than 10 years of negotiations, we have a law – more of an agreement codified into law - that does all that.

The Natural Resources Act, which has now passed Congress and which the President is expected to sign, contains a provision called the Platte River Recovery Implementation Plan. The plan balances the interests of landowners and environmentalists, allowing irrigation for crops while still protecting endangered species.

Protects Irrigators And Endangered Species
The plan, sponsored by myself and Senator Chuck Hagel, and Senators Ken Salazar and Wayne Allard of Colorado, allows upstream water users to keep their share of water when water levels are sufficient to protect four endangered species downstream, Whooping Cranes, Interior Least Terns, Piping Plovers, and the Pallid Sturgeon.

But, when water levels downstream are not sufficient to protect endangered species, the act gives the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the authority to require Colorado and Wyoming to send more water into lower reaches of the river in Nebraska.

This law addresses one of the most pressing needs in the Great Plains and the West by ensuring that the Endangered Species Act does not stop water from flowing. It creates a wildlife habitat protection plan while at the same time allows for the continued use of water and development along the Platte, which is critical to farmers, ranchers and local communities.

Good Laws Take Time To Develop
The plan was negotiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the states of Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming. We've been working on it since I was Governor of Nebraska. In late 2006 the Governors of Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming and the Department of Interior signed the final program agreement after working together since 1997 to develop a recovery plan that benefits certain species yet allows continued water use and development along the Platte.

The law authorizes the Secretary of Interior to proceed with the program and includes $157 million to carry it out. The cost will be shared 50/50 by the states and federal government. Through the program the states will provide benefits for the endangered and threatened species as well as land, water, and scientific monitoring and research to evaluate benefits of the program.

This is an example of the kind of cooperation among states and the federal government that is so vital to addressing future water challenges facing Nebraska. It is also an example of the kind of cooperation that we could use in addressing other problems that face our country. It proves that working together for the common interest we can accomplish great things.

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	Column	May 5, 2008
SHARING THE PLATTE RIVER Those of us who have hunted, fished, boated or hiked along the shores of the Platte River that meanders its way across Nebraska will forever cherish and respect this natural phenomenon that is so much a part of our state. Whether we enjoy the spectacle of Sand Hill Cranes in the spring, the gentle flowing waters of summer, the powerful ice jams of winter or the life blood of the farmers who use its water to help feed the world, the Platte is vitally important to all of us in Nebraska and to our neighbors. It must be protected and preserved. The interests of landowners and environmentalists, which are sometimes at odds when it comes to river use, must be taken into account and balanced so that everyone and everything has the water they require. I’m happy to report that after more than 10 years of negotiations, we have a law – more of an agreement codified into law - that does all that. The Natural Resources Act, which has now passed Congress and which the President is expected to sign, contains a provision called the Platte River Recovery Implementation Plan. The plan balances the interests of landowners and environmentalists, allowing irrigation for crops while still protecting endangered species. Protects Irrigators And Endangered Species The plan, sponsored by myself and Senator Chuck Hagel, and Senators Ken Salazar and Wayne Allard of Colorado, allows upstream water users to keep their share of water when water levels are sufficient to protect four endangered species downstream, Whooping Cranes, Interior Least Terns, Piping Plovers, and the Pallid Sturgeon. But, when water levels downstream are not sufficient to protect endangered species, the act gives the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the authority to require Colorado and Wyoming to send more water into lower reaches of the river in Nebraska. This law addresses one of the most pressing needs in the Great Plains and the West by ensuring that the Endangered Species Act does not stop water from flowing. It creates a wildlife habitat protection plan while at the same time allows for the continued use of water and development along the Platte, which is critical to farmers, ranchers and local communities. Good Laws Take Time To Develop The plan was negotiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the states of Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming. We've been working on it since I was Governor of Nebraska. In late 2006 the Governors of Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming and the Department of Interior signed the final program agreement after working together since 1997 to develop a recovery plan that benefits certain species yet allows continued water use and development along the Platte. The law authorizes the Secretary of Interior to proceed with the program and includes $157 million to carry it out. The cost will be shared 50/50 by the states and federal government. Through the program the states will provide benefits for the endangered and threatened species as well as land, water, and scientific monitoring and research to evaluate benefits of the program. This is an example of the kind of cooperation among states and the federal government that is so vital to addressing future water challenges facing Nebraska. It is also an example of the kind of cooperation that we could use in addressing other problems that face our country. It proves that working together for the common interest we can accomplish great things. ###