By Russ Pankonin
    The Imperial Republican
     After major efforts by the Republican River Basin natural resource districts to buy surface water, reduce consumption and get legislation passed to pay for compliance efforts, the NRDs came away shocked by allocation recommendations offered by the Department of Natural Resources.
     At a recent basin planning meeting in Holdrege called by DNR, NRD managers and board members felt above average spring precipitation and other efforts approved in LB 701 were not factored into the numbers advanced by DNR.
     The Upper Republican NRD discussed the proposed allocations during their regular meeting July 3.
     Manager Jasper Fanning said DNR Director Ann Bleed presented two different scenarios for allocations-one for continued drought conditions and one for average rainfall. The drought model assumed rainfall at 35 percent of average.
     In the URNRD, the allocation for the drought scenario would set at 5.5 inches. Even in an average year scenario, the allocation would only increase to 8.5 inches.
     It was worse for the other two NRDs, with the Middle at five and eight inches and the Lower at 3.5 inches and 6.5 inches respectively.
     "Of course, it was not well received by those present," Fanning told the board last week.
     Bleed did note the scenarios did not take any stream augmentation or further surface water buyouts into account.
     These activities could add up to three more inches of allocation, Fanning estimated.
     Nonetheless, he said DNR was previously talking higher allocations and then came in with these numbers. It took everyone by surprise, he said.
     Fanning said the basin NRDs are in the midst of a study on stream augmentation.
     Several areas have been identified but the basin coalition is awaiting modeling by DNR on what kind of stream depletion would occur at these locations to determine feasibility.
     Fanning said if DNR does not complete the modeling soon, the coalition will hire their own modelers to complete the work.
    Allocation period ends this year
     The 2007 crop season marks the end of the three-year allocation period set in the current integrated management plan.
     Typically, hearings for the new rules and allocations have been completed by this time.
     Board Member Kerry Bernhardt said the board needs to "stay away from any allocation reductions" when considering new allocations.
     Board Member Jeff Wallin said it's time for the URNRD to "draw a line in the sand" and go ahead and take the lead for the basin and set allocations where the board feels they should be.
     He said the allocations need to be set soon so farmers can make plans for next year.
     Board Chairman Greg Pelster cautioned the board not to get too anxious in setting the allocation they want.
     He noted the URNRD still has pooling and carryforward as a management tool. He didn't want that jeopardized and felt those two elements may be as important or more as the allocation itself.
     Fanning said this week he anticipates the board will consider an allocation in either August or September.
     As part of the integrated management plan, DNR must also approve the allocations, which was outlined as part of water law, LB 962, passed several years ago.
    Meeting with Bureau productive
     On Tuesday, basin NRDs met with Bureau officials and surface water irrigation districts about the possibility of long-term buyouts of surface irrigation water.
     Fanning said it was a productive meeting, noting the Bureau is willing to work with the NRDs and the surface water districts on the buyouts.
     He said legal counsel for the entities would begin working on the red tape as the first step in the process. He felt this could be accomplished in the coming months.
     He said there is interest from the surface water districts, but it varies from district to district and canal to canal.
    Land secured for building site
     Fanning said they have a purchase agreement for land on East 5th street for a new building, should the board decide to build.
     Bids for a new building are expected at the August or September meeting.