Natural Resources Committee seeking input

The Natural Resources Committee of the Legislature is asking for your input in dealing with water issues in the Republican River Basin. The Committee asks that you give your input on Feb. 28, at 1:30 p.m. at the Capitol in Lincoln. There will be hearings for two different bills -- LB 458, introduced by Senator Tom Carlson, and LB 701, introduced by Senator Mark Christensen. You can review these bills online at http://nebraskalegislature.gov/. Click on the Bill Finder link. 

Because the water issue will have such a large effect on the region, I encourage you to carefully look at the ideas being considered. If you dislike parts of the bills, please be specific in how you would improve things for the sake of the district. 

The majority of the stream flow reductions have happened because of conservation practices. These practices are common on all types of land. We need these practices to protect us from floods, protect our water quality, and help us raise better crops in dry years. But, these very good practices also reduce the amount of water getting to the stream. Because these practices are required of the landowners and benefit everyone, I feel that the state should bear most of the cost. 

I have suggested that the state pay 80 percent of the costs related to the water issue.

I believe the 20 percent paid by the basin should be paid by property taxes, as this is the fairest way to distribute the costs. In the Republican River Basin, more than 70 percent of the tax base is paid by agriculture-related property.

So, whether the fee is based on a per acre idea or a property tax, agriculture still pays a large majority of the bill. 

If you have a better way of solving the water challenge, please contact me. My office number is (402) 471-2805.

Or, you can email me at mchristensen@leg.ne.gov or you can write to me at Senator Mark R. Christensen, State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604. Or, you can come testify at the hearing on the 28th.

Your presence at the hearing is important because it is your one opportunity to impress upon the senators from other parts of the state how important this issue is to the area.

Thank you, as always, for your input.