By Russ Pankonin
    The Imperial Republican
     One of the runoffs that will occur during next Tuesday's primary election will be for the subdistrict 5 seat on the Upper Republican Natural Resources District board.
     Tom Gaschler of Imperial is the incumbent after initially being appointed to the position following the resignation of Kenny Owens.
     The other names on the ballot include Gregg Smith and Steve Grams, both of Imperial.
     The two receiving the most votes will advance to the general election in November.
     This week, the trio responded to a variety of questions during interviews about the race and issues facing the NRD.
    Experiences and perspectives
     Each of the candidates was asked about the particular experiences or perspectives that they would bring to the NRD board.
     Gaschler said that by serving on the school board and now the NRD board, he realizes how important it is to just listen. "It's not just your ideas that count," he added.
     A good board member, he said, listens to ideas and takes direction from management as to finding the best possible solutions to problems facing the district.
     By listening and working with a lot of different people, a board member is better able to reach a decision that is best for the district, he said.
     Like Gaschler, Smith has also served on the school board, serving the past four years. He is also a former member of the NRD board, having served one year before having to resign because he moved out of his subdistrict.
     Smith said he enjoys working with people to come up with solutions and feels that board service also requires some compromises to find those solutions.
     Grams said he's spent his whole life in the community and feels his experience as a small businessman and farmer would add to the board.
     He likes living here and knows water is a long-term issue that has a significant impact on the future of the local community and economy.
    Compliance or declines?
     All three were asked which is more important for the NRD board-managing for compact compliance or groundwater declines.
     Smith said it's imperative that Nebraska gets the monkey off its back by getting into compliance, with management of declines second.
     He said it's important for the NRD to work towards stabilizing the aquifer and use the water wisely.
     He favors importation of water to help with groundwater recharge rather than always looking at just using less and less water.
     Grams said he feels the NRD must manage for both. He said he questions the current policy to address aquifer declines.
     He said it's important to look for augmentation cells in this area that would have little effect on the water levels and get water into the Frenchman for recharge and compliance.
     Gaschler considers compliance efforts and declines to be equally important. He said there are conflicts with managing for the compact while still needing to address declines.
     Interestingly, he noted some areas of the district actually saw an increase in groundwater levels last year.
    Insuring compact compliance
     Candidates were asked what steps the NRD should be taking to insure compact compliance.
     Grams said there's still a long road ahead before that solution is found. He said keeping all of the board members in the communication loop, along with the sharing of facts on the issue, is essential.
     He feels too often the information doesn't always make its way past the executive board and management.
     "All policies need to be made in the open and be open to the public," he noted.
     Gaschler said one compliance effort should include buying out the Pioneer Water District in southwest Dundy County.
     The small surface water system is not the most efficient way to deliver water to crops. A buyout of the district provides the fastest way to get water to Kansas, he said.
     He felt the integrated management plan provides some flexibility to farmers by allowing them to either reduce their irrigated acres by 5 percent anywhere in the field they choose or by removing end guns.
     His experience over the years shows end guns are also very inefficient to irrigate crops.
     Smith felt that requiring farmers to reduce the amount of water they use is the preferred method.
     He believes the issue of conservation, terracing and limited-tillage practices, which all ultimately reduce the amount of water flowing to the streams, must be addressed.
     "We need to hold the state and feds accountable," he said. He realizes the value of conservation and the benefits it brings. However, in terms of compliance, it's been a detriment by keeping water from working its way back to the streams and rivers in the basin.
     "So far, no one has been holding the federal government accountable. The NRD needs to," he said.
    Funding in LB 701
     Each were asked about the funding mechanisms in LB 701-an occupation tax on irrigated ground and an additional property tax levy-and whether they support those efforts.
     Grams felt the compliance issue is a state responsibility. However, he realizes the politics aren't there to support that so the basin had to come up with some sort of solution.
     He said the NRDs wanted the taxes to take care of themselves, leaving people with higher taxes and lawsuits challenging the funding.
     He questions whether surface water purchases accomplish as much as people think they do. Plus, with the flood last summer in Chase County, he felt it didn't allow the region to see whether true progress is being made.
     Gaschler said no one appreciates a new tax. He said they looked at the occupation tax solely but because of bonding issues, added the property tax request, as well.
     But regardless of one's occupation, people who live in the Republican basin enjoy a variety of benefits that would not be possible without irrigation.
     He said it builds the local economy and adds to the tax base, providing for good schools, health care, roads and much more.
     Smith said there had to be some funding mechanism in place to pay for compliance activities and doesn't mind the occupation tax and property tax levy.
     He said the NRD should also consider broadening the revenue base by adding user fees for water uses for livestock, commercial, industrial and municipal. They all benefit from the water as well, he noted.
    Why vote for you?
     Candidates were asked to explain why voters should vote for them next Tuesday.
     Gaschler said people have lots of ideas on what the board should do. He said they've looked at allocations, augmentation, conservation and vegetation control, all in a way to get more water to Kansas.
     A good board member will look at these ideas, listen to a variety of people, gather facts, seek out the experts and then make a decision that is best for the district. He feels he has those qualities.
     He said he's enjoyed working with the current board. They are intelligent people with lots of good ideas, he added. He said it's a good group to be working with to find solutions to the problems the NRD faces without disrupting the local economies.
     Smith said the NRD board is one of those thankless jobs and he appreciates the work they do.
     Over the past few years, he said he's been quite vocal on what he believes the possible solutions should be. "As a result, I'm putting my money where my mouth is and running for the board."
     He wants to see a long-term effort put in place to import water into the region to help recharge the aquifer. If people want a candidate that favors importation, then he's their man, Smith said. If voters believe that using less and less water going forward is the answer, "then I'm not the person," he added.
     Grams said he became involved in water issues after getting involved with WaterClaim. He said he's spent lots of time attending meetings and learning about water issues, as well as helping elect a state senator who ran on a water platform.
     He also feels management needs to be held accountable because they guide the executive board and many of the decisions the board makes.
     "I feel since the people are supporting a $100,000 salary for a manager with high credentials and good political connections, then we deserve results," he said.
     Because he's been around the issues for a number of years and seen the process first hand, he felt compelled to run in an effort to bring new ideas to the table. "I'll be on the front line and willing to do the work," he pledged.