Annual conference will examine water issues

CURTIS, Nebraska -- Of all the issues facing Southwest Nebraska, nothing comes close to being as crucial as what's being done to protect the quality and quality of the region's water supply.

For that reason, the 28th Annual Southwest Nebraska Water Conference -- scheduled Friday, March 7, at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Room in McCook -- has taken on added significance. "Every year is important, but this year is especially so," says Roger Lawson, the Information & Education Coordinator for the Middle Republican Natural Resources District.

With legislative and judicial action on water issues pending, the crowd that gathers for this year's conference will be briefed on the history of the long-standing legal dispute between Kansas and Nebraska. Coming to the conference to discuss the history of the litigation is Don Blankenau, an attorney from Lincoln. "He does an extraordinary job," Lawson said. "His review of litigation goes all the way back to when the problem arose, and he brings us forward to what's happening now."

Joining Blankenau as a main presenter at the conference will be Dr. Derrell Martin, a faculty member at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Many in this area are acquainted with Dr. Martin, who grew up in Dundy County. His twin brother, Merrell Martin, is a farmer in the Benkelman area.

Dr. Martin will be looking at ways farmers and ranchers can add value to the water they use.

As another part of the water conference, the University of Nebraska Water Center will report results and experiences with remote sensing technology in the crop fields of Southwest Nebraska.

Also on the program is an update from the Upper Republican Natural Resources District about the Lincoln County River Augmentation Project. The Upper Republican program presenters will strive to separate fact from fiction on the project, which has come to be known by its initials: N-CORPE.

"Stick around for a catered lunch and get an update on the Kansas versus Nebraska decision," Lawson said. Reports will also be given by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Kansas-Nebraska District Area Office and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Office.

Coffee and rolls will be provided by Ag Valley Co-Op and lunch will be provided by Sargent Irrigation and the Middle Republican Natural Resources District. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is also a sponsor of this year's conference.

New products and technologies will be on display at the conference thanks to exhibits which will be set up by 11 vendors. The businesses and organizations showing their wares include: Ag Valley Co-Op, Eco-Drip, Western Irrigation, Servi-Tech, Quality Irrigation (Valley), Senninger Irrigation, Southwest Irrigation (Reinke), Olsen's Agricultural Laboratory, Southwest Ag LLC, McCrometer and the Middle Republican Natural Resources District.

No registration is required. For more information about the conference, those interested are asked to call the Middle Republican NRD's toll-free number: 800-873-5613. Information is also available by visiting the NRD's website: www.mrnrd.org.