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Nebraska Water Users in the News
Water log service launched by Nebraska Water Users
by Barb Bierman Batie, Lexington Clipper-Herald [January 21, 2006]
LEXINGTON - A new service that takes advantage of statutory changes made in LB 962 is being offered by Nebraska Water Users (NWU) to link those with available surface water supplies to those in need.
The Water Log was launched by NWU during their annual meeting here Wednesday. NWU legal counsel LeRoy Sievers noted the service will create a database to help match water users needing more water with those who have surface water available to lease. The ability to make temporary water transfers was outlined last year in LB 962, said Sievers. "The Water Log will allow this leasing process to occur in an efficient manner," he said.
To use the Water Log those interested may call the toll-free number, 1-866-634-2054. Sue Meyers of Lincoln will maintain the computer database.
The service is available to anyone
in the state, noted the NWU board of directors. The directors voted Wednesday to charge $50 to obtain the forms needed to register with the database. Sievers noted, "There's no intent for NWU to make a profit, rather the
fee will cover the cost associated with initiating the service, data input and maintenance."
To use the Water Log, those interested first call the toll-free number to request forms that indicate
whether they have or need water and how much is available or needed.
The information will be entered in the Water Log database and then attempts will be made to match those in need with those who have
water available. Sievers noted it will be important to keep transfers as close together geographically and in use as possible, as transfers must be approved by irrigation districts and they are much easier if the land is
located in the same district.
The further apart the uses are and the more change in type of use, say from ag to an industrial use by an ethanol plant, the harder it will be to get a transfer approved by
the state, said Sievers.
Once a match is made the water users involved will need to negotiate a lease, setting mutually agreeable annual payments. Sievers noted he has prepared a draft lease, and that the
service will also be able to link participants with legal, engineering and other services that might be needed to complete the transfer(s). Of course, these also involve additional costs, he said.
"This is a logical step forward to provide people a mechanism to get the water they need and will allow water to move to where it needs to go," said Sievers.
"This service follows the
principles of NWU," noted NWU secretary Don Batie. "It puts some value on water. We hope this Water Log will allow landowners to obtain some value for their water, instead of letting the water right expire."
Sievers agreed that the Water Log should give Nebraskans a better idea of what their water is worth.
He noted that temporary transfers involving leases are different from a water bank,
which would handle water credits and transactions to balance supplies with needs. "Legislation has not been adopted to create a water bank," Sievers said.
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