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1	
	
WATER	SEMINAR	
	
GOOD	 AFTERNOON	 EVERYONE	 AND	 THANK	 YOU	 FOR	 COMING.	 AND	 THANK	
YOU	TO	CHITTARANJAN	AND	THE	WATER	CENTER	FOR	INVITING	ME	TO	SHARE	
WITH	 YOU	 MY	 RESEARCH	 ON	 INTEGRATED	 WATER	 MANAGEMENT	 IN	
NEBRASKA.	
[INSERT	COVER	SLIDE]	
LET	 ME	 FIRST	 PROVIDE	 YOU	 WITH	 A	 LITTLE	 MORE	 DETAIL	 ABOUT	 HOW	 I	
APPROACH	THE	SUBJECT	OF	THIS	LECTURE.	MY	TRAINING	AS	A	PROFESSOR	OF	
PUBLIC	ADMINISTRATION	LEADS	ME	FIRST	AND	FOREMOST	TO	ASK	QUESTIONS	
ABOUT	 THE	 GOVERNANCE	 OF	 THE	 MAJOR	 RIVER	 BASINS	 IN	 NEBRASKA,	
INCLUDING	 THE	 MANAGEMENT	 OF	 GROUND	 WATER	 THAT	 HAS	 A	
HYDROLOGICAL	CONNECTION	TO	STREAM	FLOWS.		
GOVERNANCE	 OF	 THE	 PLATTE	 RIVER	 BASIN	 IN	 PARTICULAR	 DEALS	 WITH	 THE	
INTEGRATED	 MANAGEMENT	 OF	 SURFACE	 AND	 GROUND	 WATER,	 AS	 WELL	 AS	
THE	MANAGEMENT	OF	DAMS,	DIVERSIONS	AND	STORAGE	FOR	HYDROPOWER,	
FLOOD	CONTROL	AND	IRRIGATION.		
[INSERT	MAP	OF	PLATTE	RIVER]
2	
	
AS	YOU	KNOW,	THE	NORTH	PLATTE	AND	SOUTH	PLATTE	RIVERS	JOIN	TOGETHER	
AND	 BECOME	 THE	 PLATTE	 RIVER	 IN	 NORTH	 PLATTE,	 NE.	 DAMS,	 AS	 WELL	 AS	
WATER	 DIVERSION	 AND	 STORAGE	 PROJECTS	 HAVE	 CHANGED	 THE	 PLUMBING	
OF	 THE	 RIVER	 IN	 WAYS	 THAT	 WOULD	 TAKE	 ANOTHER	 LECTURE	 TO	 COVER	
ADEQUATELY.	THE	SHORT	VERSION,	THOUGH,	IS	THAT	THESE	PROJECTS	HAVE	
SERVED	 THE	 AGRICULTURAL	 ECONOMIES	 OF	 NEBRASKA,	 COLORADO	 AND	
WYOMING,	BUT	IT	HAVE	ALSO	FUNDAMENTALLY	ALTERED	THE	NATURAL	FLOW	
REGIME	OF	THE	PLATTE	RIVER.	
THERE	ARE	MANY	ENTITIES	THAT	ARE	PART	OF	GOVERNANCE	ON	THE	PLATTE	
RIVER.		THERE	IS	A	COOPERATIVE	AGREEMENT	AMONG	THE	THREE	STATES	OF	
NEBRASKA,	 COLORADO	 AND	 WYOMING	 AND	 THE	 U.S.	 DEPARTMENT	 OF	
INTERIOR	 THAT	 CREATED	 THE	 PLATTE	 RIVER	 RECOVERY	 IMPLEMENTATION	
PROGRAM.	THE	GOVERNANCE	COMMITTEE	OF	THE	PRRIP	INCLUDES	MEMBERS	
REPRESENTING	 THE	 U.S.F.W.S.,	 U.S.	 BUREAU	 OF	 RECLAMATION,	 THE	 THREE	
STATES,	AND	REPRESENTATIVES	OF	THE	NRDS,	PUBLIC	POWER	AND	IRRIGATION	
DISTRICTS,	 AND	 ENVIRONMENTAL	 ORGANIZATIONS	 SUCH	 AS	 THE	 NEBRASKA	
AUDUBON	 SOCIETY.	 THE	 GOVERNANCE	 COMMITTEE	 IS	 A	 UNIQUE	 CASE	 OF	
COLLABORATIVE	ENVIRONMENTAL	GOVERNANCE,	THAT	I	HAVE	STUDIED	IT	FOR	
THE	PAST	FIVE	YEARS	WITH	A	GRANT	FROM	THE	WATER	FOR	FOOD	INSTITUTE.
3	
	
THIS	 COOPERATIVE	 AGREEMENT	 ALLOWED	 NEBRASKA,	 COLORADO	 AND	
WYOMING	 TO	 PROCEED	 WITH	 WATER	 PROJECTS	 ALONG	 THE	 PLATTE	 IN	
EXCHANGE	FOR	DEFINED	CONTRIBUTIONS	OF	WATER	AND	LAND	AIMED	AT	THE	
RESTORATION	 OF	 CRITICAL	 HABITAT	 FOR	 MIGRATORY	 BIRDS,	 SUCH	 AS	 THE	
WHOOPING	 CRANE,	 LISTED	 AS	 ENDANGERED	 OR	 THREATENED	 UNDER	 THE	
ENDANGERED	 SPECIES	 ACT.	 THE	 RESTORATION	 PROJECTS	 ARE	 UNDERWAY	
ALONG	 THE	 BIG	 BEND	 REACH,	 ALSO	 KNOWN	 AS	 THE	 ASSOCIATED	 HABITAT	
AREA.	
THE	PRRIP	IS	ONE	PIECE	OF	INTEGRATED	WATER	MANAGEMENT.	I	WILL	EXPLAIN	
SHORTLY	 WHY	 THE	 PRRIP	 CARES	 ABOUT	 SURFACE	 AND	 GROUND	 WATER	
HAVING	 A	 HYDROLOGICAL	 CONNECTION.	 ANOTHER	 PIECE	 IS	 INTEGRATED	
MANAGEMENT	 PLANNING	 IN	 NE,	 AUTHORIZED	 BY	 STATE	 LAW	 IN	 2004	 AND	
INVOLVING	DNR	AND	NRDS.	
ALTOGETHER	 THESE	 ELEMENTS	 FORM	 A	 POLYCENTRIC	 SYSTEM	 OF	
GOVERNANCE,	DEFINED	AS	HAVING	MULTIPLE	OVERLAPPING	JURISDICTIONS	AT	
DIFFERENT	 SCALES,	 EACH	 WITH	 SOME	 INDEPENDENT	 AUTHORITY	 OVER	
PARTICULAR	ISSUES	OR	FUNCTIONAL	AREAS.		
[INSERT	MAP	OF	THE	NRDS]
4	
	
THERE	 ARE	 A	 TOTAL	 OF	 23	 NRDS	 WHOSE	 JURISDICTIONAL	 BOUNDARIES	
FOLLOW	THE	RIVER	BASINS	IN	THE	STATE.	NRDS	ARE	POLITICAL	SUBDIVISIONS	
OF	 STATE	 GOVERNMENT,	 WITH	 LOCALLY	 ELECTED	 BOARDS	 AND	 AUTHORITY	
OVER	 GROUND	 WATER	 USE.	 IT	 IS	 A	 UNIQUE	 APPROACH	 TO	 WATER	
MANAGEMENT,	FOUND	ONLY	IN	THIS	STATE.	
IT	 IS	 UNIQUE	 FOR	 TWO	 REASONS.	 THE	 FIRST	 IS	 THAT	 IN	 MANY	 CASES	 LOCAL	
GOVERNMENT	 JURISDICTIONS	 DO	 NOT	 FOLLOW	 NATURAL	 BOUNDARIES	 LIKE	
RIVER	BASINS	OR	SUB-BASINS.	THE	WAY	THAT	POLICYMAKERS	OFTEN	TRY	TO	
DEAL	WITH	THIS	DISCONNECT	IS	EXPAND	THE	SCOPE	OF	GOVERNMENT	SO	THAT	
IT	OVERLAPS	THOSE	NATURAL	BOUNDARIES.	WE	OFTEN	END	UP	WITH	LARGE-
SCALE	TOP-DOWN	GOVERNMENT.	THE	NRD	SYSTEM	IS	UNIQUE	BECAUSE	LOCAL	
JURISDICTIONS	FOLLOW	THE	RIVER	BASINS	AND	SUB-BASINS	IN	THE	STATE.	
THE	 SECOND	 REASON	 WHY	 THE	 NEBRASKA	 APPROACH	 IS	 SO	 UNIQUE	 IS	
RELATED	TO	THE	FIRST:	BECAUSE	WE	HAVE	THE	NRD	SYSTEM	THAT	MANAGES	
GROUND	WATER	USE,	STATE	LAW	AUTHORIZING	INTEGRATED	MANAGEMENT	
PLANNING	 GIVES	 A	 MAJOR	 ROLE	 TO	 THE	 NRDS	 AND	 CREATES	 A	 BOTTOM-UP	
PLANNING	PROCESS.	THE	DNR	WORKS	JOINTLY	WITH	THE	NRDS	AND	PLAYS	THE	
ROLE	OF	FACILITATOR,	PROVIDING	GUIDANCE	AND	SCIENTIFIC	EXPERTISE.
5	
	
EACH	NRD	IS	REQUIRED	BY	STATE	LAW	TO	JOINTLY	DEVELOP	(WITH	THE	DNR)	
AN	 IMP	 IF	 THEIR	 JURISDICTION	 FALLS	 WITHIN	 A	 RIVER	 BASIN	 OR	 SUB-BASIN	
DETERMINED	BY	DNR	TO	BE	FULLY	APPROPRIATED,	OR	DESIGNATED	BY	DNR	AS	
OVER	 APPROPRIATED.	 THE	 FIVE	NRDS	WHOSE	BOUNDARIES	ARE	WITHIN	THE	
OVER	 APPROPRIATED	 STRETCH	 OF	 THE	 UPPER	 PLATTE	 BASIN	 ARE	 ALSO	
REQUIRED	TO	DEVELOP	(TOGETHER	WITH	THE	DNR)	A	BASIN	WIDE	PLAN.	
	
[INSERT	MAP	OF	FULLY	APPROPRIATED	AREA]	
	[INSERT	MAP	OF	OVER	APPROPRIATED	AREA]	
	
SINCE	THE	GOVERNANCE	OF	THE	PLATTE	RIVER	IS	SO	COMPLEX,	I	WILL	EXAMINE	
LATER	DETAILS	ABOUT	THE	ROLE	OF	ONE	NRD	INVOLVED	IN	THIS	GOVERNANCE	
PROCESS:	THE	CPNRD.	IT	IS	LOCATED	IN	THE	ASSOCIATED	HABITAT	AREA	OF	THE	
PRRIP,	 IT	 IS	 REPRESENTED	 ON	 THE	 GOVERNANCE	 COMMITTEE	 OF	 THE	 PRIPP,	
AND	 ITS	 JURISDICTION	 FALLS	 WITHIN	 AN	 AREA	 OF	 THE	 UPPER	 PLATTE	 BASIN	
REQUIRED	TO	DEVELOP	BOTH	AN	IMP	AND	A	BASIN	WIDE	PLAN.
6	
	
IN	 THE	 INTERESTS	 OF	 TIME	 I	 WANT	 TO	 CONDENSE	 THE	 LEGAL	 AND	
ADMINISTRATIVE	 DEFINITIONS	 OF	 FULLY	 AND	 OVER	 APPROPRIATED	 INTO	
WHAT	MAY	SEEM	LIKE	A	SIMPLISTIC	REDUCTION.	BUT	LET	ME	SUGGEST	THAT	IF	
AN	 AREA	 IS	 FULLY	 APPROPRIATED	 THEN	 THERE	 IS	 A	 BALANCE	 BETWEEN	
SURFACE	 WATER	 SUPPLIES	 AND	 APPROPRIATIONS	 FOR	 IRRIGATION,	
INDUSTRIAL,	 MUNICIPAL	 AND	 SO	 ON.	 THE	 DNR,	 WHICH	 APPROVES	 SURFACE	
WATER	 RIGHTS,	 HAS	 DECLARED	 A	 MORATORIUM	 ON	 NEW	 SURFACE	 WATER	
RIGHTS	IN	THESE	AREAS.	
IF	AN	AREA	IS	OVER	APPROPRIATED	THEN	-	-	AS	THE	TERM	SUGGESTS	-	-	THE	
SUPPY	 OF	 SURFACE	 WATER	 IS	 INSUFFICIENT	 TO	 MEET	 EXISTING	
APPROPRIATIONS.	 THE	 IMPS	 IN	 THOSE	 AREAS	 MUST	 OFFSET	 DEPLETIONS	 TO	
STREAMFLOWS	DUE	TO	WATER	USE	AFTER	JULY	1,	1997.	
NOW	 THE	 REASON	 WHY	 INTEGRATED	 SURFACE	 AND	 GROUND	 WATER	
MANAGEMENT	IS	NECESSARY	IS	THAT	A	MAJOR	SOURCE	OF	THE	DEPLETIONS	
TO	SURFACE	WATER	IN	HC	AREAS	IS	GROUND	WATER	IRRIGATION.	ENTER	THE	
NRDS	 WITH	 AUTHORITY	 OVER	 GROUND	 WATER	 USE.	 THEIR	 IMPS	 MUST	
INCLUDE	PLANS	TO	OFFSET	DEPLETIONS	TO	SURFACE	WATER	APPROPRIATIONS.	
[INSERT	“INTEGRATED	MANAGEMENT	PLANS”]
7	
	
LB	 962	 AUTHORIZED	 INTEGRATED	 MANAGEMENT	 PLANNING	 IN	 2004	 AS	 AN	
AMENDMENT	TO	THE	GROUND	WATER	MANAGEMENT	AND	PROTECTION	ACT.	
THE	PRRIP	WAS	A	MAJOR	MOTIVATION,	AND	STATE	LEGISLATORS	WANTED	TO	
GET	AHEAD	OF	ITS	START	DATE	IN	2007.	THE	REQUIREMENTS	IN	STATE	LAW	ARE	
PRETTY	BASIC,	LEAVING	THE	NRDS	TO	DEVELOP	PLANS	THAT	MAKE	SENSE	IN	
THE	CONTEXT	OF	THE	UNIQUE	HYDROGEOLOGY	IN	EACH	AREA.	THE	CPNRD	IS	A	
CASE	IN	POINT.	
SINCE	 THE	 AREA	 WITHIN	 ITS	 JURISDICTION	 	 DESIGNATED	 AS	 OVER	
APPROPRIATED	IS	HYDROLOGICALLY	CONNECTED	TO	GROUND	WATER,	ITS	IMP	
MUST	OFFSET	DEPLETIONS	DUE	TO	WATER	USE	IN	ITS	DISTRICT	USING	1997	AS	
THE	REFERENCE	POINT.	IN	FULLY	APPROPRIATED	AREAS	THERE	CAN	BE	NO	NEW			
DEPLETIONS.	
AS	 I	 WILL	 SHOW	 LATER,	 THE	 CPNRD	 HAS	 AVOIDED	 HAVING	 TO	 REGULATE	
GROUND	WATER	USE	BY	DEVELOPING	A	WATER	BANK	AND	BY	ENTERING	INTO	
PURCHASE	OR	LEASE	AGREEMENTS	WITH	PRIVATE	CANAL	COMPANIES.
8	
	
THE	IMP	PROCESS	MUST	CONSULT	WITH	STAKEHOLDERS.	IN	THE	CASE	OF	THE	
CPNRD	 THE	 LATE	 GENERAL	 MANAGER,	 RON	 BISHOP,	 SPENT	 YEARS	 WORKING	
WITH	 STAKEHOLDERS	 IN	 HIS	 DISTRICT	 TO	 DESIGN	 THESE	 PROJECTS.	 I	 WILL	
RETURN	TO	THIS	POINT	LATER	WITH	MORE	SPECIFICS.	
THE	 BASIN	 WIDE	 PLAN	 MUST	 ALSO	 CONSULT	 AND	 COLLABORATE	 WITH	
STAKEHOLDERS.	I	CHECKED	THE	DNR	WEB	SITE	BECAUSE	THEY	ARE	JUST	NOW	
BEGINNING	THE	SECOND	TEN	YEAR	BASIN	WIDE	PLANNING	CYCLE	AND	THERE	
ARE	OVER	THIRTY	PRIMARY	STAKEHOLDERS	INVOLVED.	THOSE	STAKEHOLDERS	
INCLUDE	 THE	 FIVE	 NRDS,	 PUBLIC	 POWER	 AND	 IRRIGATION	 DISTRICTS,	
MUNICIPALITIES,	 AND	 REPRESENTATIVES	 FROM	 SURFACE	 WATER	 USERS,	
GROUND	WATER	IRRIGATORS,	AGRICULTURE	AND	ENVIRONMENT/WILDLIFE.	
IMPS	AND	BASIN	WIDE	PLANS	ARE	JOINTLY	DEVELOPED	WITH	THE	DNR.	BUT	I	
WANT	TO	EMPHASIZE	THAT	THE	STATE’S	ROLE	IS	TO	FACILITATE	THE	PLANNING	
PROCESS,	NOT	TO	DIRECT	IT	IN	A	TOP-DOWN	REGULATORY	FASHION.
9	
	
THE	ROLE	OF	THE	NRDS	IN	THE	OVER	APPROPRIATED	STRETCH	OF	THE	UPPER	
PLATTE	 BASIN	 GOES	 BEYOND	 THE	 IMP	 PROCESS.	 THEY	 ALSO	 SHARE	
RESPONSIBILITY	 WITH	 DNR	 FOR	 IMPLEMENTING	 THE	 NEBRASKA	 NEW	
DEPLETION	PLAN	THAT	IS	PART	OF	THE	PRRIP.		
[INSERT	“NEW	DEPLETION	PLAN”]	
THE	STATE	OF	NEBRASKA	AGREED	TO	PREVENT	OR	MITIGATE	NEW	DEPLETIONS	
TO	 USFWS	 TARGET	 FLOWS	 TO	 THE	 EXTENT	 THOSE	 NEW	 DEPLETIONS	 ARE	
CAUSED	BY	NEW	AND	EXPANDED	USES	OF	WATER	ON	OR	AFTER	JULY	1,	1997.	
REPONSIBILITY	IS	SHARED	BETWEEN	DNR	AND	THE	NRDS	IN	THE	UPPER	PLATTE	
RIVER	BASIN.	THE	STATE	AND	NRDS	COVERED	BY	THE	NEW	DEPLETIONS	PLAN	
ARE	RESPONSIBLE	TO	OFFSET	NEW	(DEFINED	AS	STARTING	IN	1997	-	-	THE	DATE	
OF	THE	COOPERATIVE	AGREEMENT)	GROUND	WATER	USES	IN	HC	AREAS.	THE	
DEFINITION	 OF	 HC	 IS	 WHERE	 THE	 CUMULATIVE	 EFFECT	 ON	 STREAM	 FLOW	
DEPLETION	FROM	WELLS	CONSTRUCTED	IN	THAT	AREA	WOULD	=	28	PER	CENT	
OF	TOTAL	GROUND	WATER	CONSUMED	AS	A	RESULT	OF	WITHDRAWALS	OVER	
A	40	YEAR	PERIOD.	(REPEAT	THE	DEFINITION)
10	
	
YOU	WILL	NOTICE	A	COINCIDENCE	HERE:	UNDER	THE	PROVISIONS	OF	LB	962,	IF	
AN	NRD	IS	WITHIN	AN	OVER	APPROPRIATED	AREA	IT	MUST	GET	BACK	TO	1997	
CONDITIONS.	 THE	 YEAR	 1997	 IS	 SIGNIFICANT	 BECAUSE	 IT	 WAS	 THE	 YEAR	 IN	
WHICH	NE	SIGNED	THE	PRIPP	COOPERATIVE	AGREEMENT.		
	[INSERT	“GOVERNANCE”	SLIDE	noting	blue	and	red]	
THIS	 SLIDE	 SUMMARIZES	 THE	 MAIN	 ELEMENTS	 OF	 THE	 POLYCENTRIC	 SYSTEM	
OF	 WATER	 GOVERNANCE	 THAT	 IS	 SO	 UNIQUE	 AND	 THEORETICALLY	
SIGNIFICANT.	HERE	 AGAIN	 IS	 THE	 DEFINITION	 USED	 BY	 MY	 COLLEAGUE,	 TOM	
KOONTZ,	 WHO	 HAS	 CONDUCTED	 EXTENSIVE	 RESEARCH	 ON	 ADAPTI	
INSTITUTIONS	IN	SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL	SYSTEMS	GOVERNANCE:		
[INSERT	“POLYCENTRIC	GOVERNANCE”]	
A	 POLYCENTRIC	 SYSTEM	 OF	 GOVERNANCE	 IS	 DEFINED	 AS	 HAVING	 MULTIPLE	
OVERLAPPING	 JURISDICTIONS	 AT	 DIFFERENT	 SCALES,	 EACH	 WITH	 SOME	
INDEPENDENT	AUTHORITY	OVER	PARTICULAR	ISSUES	OR	FUNCTIONAL	AREAS.	
IT	 HAS	 INTERDEPENDENT	 CENTERS	 OF	 AUTHORITY,	 EACH	 WITH	 QUALIFIED	
INDEPENDENCE	OVER	ITS	OWN	FUNCTIONAL	AREA,	AND	IT	IS	OFTEN	DESCRIBED	
AS	 SELF-ORGANIZED:	 ARISING	 IN	 A	 BOTTOM	 UP	 FASHION	 WITH	 NEW	
BOUNDARIES	THAT	CAN	MATCH	THE	SCALE	OF	THE	ISSUE	AT	HAND.
11	
	
IT	 PROMOTES	 INTERACTIONS	 UP	 AND	 DOWN	 LEVELS	 OF	 GOVERNANCE	 AND	
PROMOTES	INSTITUTIONS	THAT	CAN	ADAPT	TO	CHANGING	CONDITIONS,	SUCH	
AS	 WEATHER,	 ICE	 PACK	 IN	 THE	 HEADWATERS	 AND	 VARIATIONS	 IN	 RIVER	
FLOWS.	
[INSERT	DIAGRAM]	
THIS	 SLIDE	 SHOWS	 HOW	 THE	 ELEMENTS	 OF	 WHAT	 I	 HAVE	 DEFINED	 AS	 A	
POLYCENTRIC	 SYSTEM	 OF	 GOVERNANCE	 FIT	 TOGETHER.	 THE	 NRDS	 IN	 THE	
UPPER	 PLATTE	 BASIN	 JOINTLY	 DEVELOP	 WITH	 DNR	 THEIR	 IMPS	 AND	 ALSO	
PARTICIPATE	 IN	 THE	 BASIN	 WIDE	 PLAN	 PROCESS.	 STAKEHOLDERS	 IN	 THE	
PROCESS	 ARE	 OFF	 TO	 THE	 SIDE	 WITHOUT	 CONNECTING	 ARROWS,	 BECAUSE	
THEIR	 ROLE	 IS	 LIMITED	 TO	 CONSULTATION	 AND	 COLLABORATION	 WITH	 THE	
DECISION	MAKERS	AUTHORIZED	BY	LB	962	-	-	DNR	AND	THE	NRDS.	BUT	NOTICE	
THAT	CNPPID	(AND	NPPD)	ARE	REPRESENTED	ON	THE	GC	OF	THE	PRRIP.	
	
YOU	WILL	NOTICE	THAT	THERE	ARE	ALSO	ARROWS	GOING	FROM	DNR	TO	THE	
PRRIP	AS	WELL	AS	ARROWS	GOING	TO	THE	PRRIP	DIRECTLY	FROM	THE	NRDS,	
BECAUSE	THEY	ARE	ALSO	REPRESENTED	ON	THE	GC.	THE	NRDS	SHARE	A	VOTE	
WITH	CNPPID	AND	NPPD.
12	
	
	
THE	 EFFECTIVENESS	 OF	 THE	 PRRIP	 DEPENDS	 ON	 THE	 STATES	 AND	 THEIR	
POLITICAL	 SUBDIVISIONS	 WORKING	 TOGETHER	 TO	 REDUCE	 SHORTAGES	 TO	
USFWS	 TARGET	 FLOW	 IN	 THE	 PLATTE	 RIVER	 THROUGH	 A	 COMBINATION	 OF	
RETIMING	SURFACE	WATER	AND	OFFSETTING	DEPLETIONS	TO	STREAM	FLOWS	
FROM	GROUND	WATER	USE.		
I	WANT	TO	FOCUS	NOW	ON	THE	CPNRD	AS	A	CASE	STUDY	AND	LOOK	AT	ITS	
ROLE	IN	THIS	GOVERNANCE	SYSTEM.	THE	DISTRICT’S	JURISDICTION	OVERLAPS	
WITH	THE	ASSOCIATED	HABITAT	AREA	OF	THE	PRRIP	AND	IS	ALSO	LOCATED	IN	
THE	UPPER	PLATTE	BASIN	DESIGNATED	BY	DNR	AS	OVER	APPROPRIATED.	
[INSERT	MAPS	OF	PLATTE	RIVER	AND	OVER	APPROPRIATED	AREA]	
	THE	CPNRD	HAS	ENTERED	INTO	PURCHASE	AND	LEASE	AGREEMENTS	WITH	THE	
COZAD	 DITCH	 COMPANY,	 THE	 THIRTY	 MILE	 IRRIGATION	 DISTRICT	 AND	 THE	
ORCHARD/ALFALFA	 CANAL.	 THE	 CPNRD	 PAYS	 FOR	 THE	 REHABILITATION	 OF	
THESE	CANALS,	AND	APPLIES	ON	THEIR	BEHALF	TO	THE	DNR	TO	STORE	EXCESS	
STREAMFLOWS	 DURING	 THE	 NON-IRRIGATION	 SEASON	 FOR	 GROUND	 WATER	
RECHARGE	AND	EVENTUAL	RETURN	TO	THE	PLATTE.	
[INSERT	CENTRAL	PLATTE	PARTNERSHIPS]
13	
	
SURFACE	WATER	IRRIGATORS	WITH	WELLS	CAN	SWITCH	TO	GROUND	WATER,	
WHICH	 IS	 OFTEN	 LESS	 EXPENSIVE.	 THE	 CPNRD	 CAN	 USE	 THE	 RECHARGE	
PROJECTS	AS	OFFSETS	TO	NEW	DEPLETIONS.	THE	NRD	CAN	ALSO	APLY	TO	THE	
DNR	 ON	 BEHALF	 OF	 THESE	 SURFACE	 WATER	 PROVIDERS	 TO	 DIVERT	 SURFACE	
WATER	DURING	THE	IRRIGATION	SEASON	BACK	TO	THE	RIVER,	AND	TO	LEASE	A	
PORTION	OF	THAT	WATER	BACK	TO	THE	PRRIP.	THE	PRRIP	CAN	COUNT	THAT	
WATER	TOWARD	ITS	MILESTONE	OF	REDUCING	SHORTAGES	TO	USFWS	TARGET	
FLOWS.		
FINALLY	THE	NRD	CAN	USE	BOTH	THE	OTHER	PORTION	OF	THAT	AUGMENTED	
FLOW	AND	THE	OFFSET	FROM	GROUND	WATER	RECHARGE	IN	THE	CANALS	TO	
MEET	 ITS	 RESPONSIBILITY	 UNDER	 THE	 NEW	 DEPLETION	 PLAN.	 FUNDS	 FOR	
THESE	 PROJECTS	 CAME	 FROM	 THE	 CPNRD,	 THE	 NE	 ENVIRONMENTAL	 TRUST,	
AND	THE	STATE	WATER	MANAGEMENT	FUND,	AS	WELL	AS	THE	PRRIP	THROUGH	
ITS	LEASE	AGREEMENT	WITH	CPNRD.	
	
[INSERT	CPNRD	WATER	BANK]
14	
	
THE	CPNRD	WAS	ALSO	THE	FIRST	NRD	TO	START	A	WATER	BANK.	THE	WAY	THE	
WATER	 BANK	 WORKS	 IS	 THAT	 THE	 NRD	 PURCHASES	 WATER	 RIGHTS	 FROM	
WILLING	 OWNERS	 WHO	 AGREE	 TO	 STOP	 IRRIGATING	 ALL	 OR	 A	 PORTION	 OF	
THEIR	LAND.	THE	NRD	CALCULATES	THE	SELLING	PRICE	BASED	ON	THE	IMPACT	
OF	THAT	WATER	RIGHT	IN	TERMS	OF	AF	RETURNED	TO	THE	PLATTE	AND	THEN	
“BANKS”	THAT	AMOUNT	TO	BE	USED	AS	AN	OFFSET	TO	NEW	DEPLETIONS.	
THE	 WATER	 BANK	 ALLOWS	 THE	 NRD	 TO	 MEET	 ITS	 RESPONSIBILITIES	 UNDER	
BOTH	LB	962	AND	THE	NEW	DEPLETION	PLAN	THAT	IS	PART	OF	THE	PRRIP.	IT	
ALLOWS	THE	NRD	TO	MEET	THE	NEEDS	OF	NEW	INDUSTRIES	AS	WELL	AS	THE	
NEEDS	 OF	 MUNICIPALITIES	 WITH	 GROWING	 POPULATIONS	 -	 -	 WITHOUT	
HAVING	 TO	 REGULATE	 OR	 RESTRICT	 EXISTING	 GROUND	 WATER	 USE.	 WHILE	
THERE	 IS	 A	 MORATORIUM	 AS	 PART	 OF	 THE	 IMP	 ON	 NEW	 AND	 EXPANDED	
PUMPING,	THERE	HAS	-	-	AS	OF	YET	-	-	BEEN	NO	MANDATORY	WITHDRAWALS	
OF	IRRIGATED	ACRES	FROM	PRODUCTION.
15	
	
[INSERT	“WHAT	HAVE	WE	LEARNED”]	
SO	 WHAT	 HAVE	 WE	 LEARNED	 SO	 FAR	 ABOUT	 THE	 GOVERNANCE	 OF	
INTEGRATED	 WATER	 MANAGEMENT	 IN	 NEBRASKA?	 THE	 FIRST	 -	 -	 AND	 MOST	
IMPORTANT	 -	 -	 CONCLUSION	 IS	 THAT	 NEBRASKA’S	 APPROACH	 IS	 UNIQUE	
AMONG	THE	FIFTY	STATES.	NEBRASKA	IS	UNIQUE	BECAUSE	THE	IMP	PROCESS	IS	
ESSENTIALLY	 BOTTOM-UP,	 WITH	 DNR	 FACILITATING	 THE	 DEVELOPMENT	 AND	
IMPLEMENTATION	OF	NRD	PLANS.	DNR	ADMINISTERS	THE	SYSTEM	OF	SURFACE	
WATER	 APPROPRIATIONS	 FOR	 SURFACE	 WATER	 USERS,	 BUT	 ITS	 ROLE	 IN	 THE	
IMP	 PROCESS	 IS	 NOT	 TO	 REPRESENT	 PROVIDERS,	 LIKE	 CNPPID,	 IN	 DECISION	
MAKING.	
THE	 NRD	 SYSTEM	 IS	 ONE-OF-A	 KIND,	 BECAUSE	 LOCAL	 BOUNDARIES	 FOLLOW	
THE	RIVER	BASINS.	RESEARCH	ON	POLYCENTRIC	GOVERNANCE	SYSTEMS,	SUCH	
AS	THE	WORK	OF	MY	COLLEAGUE	TOM	KOONTZ,	SUGGESTS	THAT	MATCHING	
JURISDICTIONAL	BOUNDARIES	TO	THE	SCALE	OF	THE	ISSUE,	IS	A	KEY	FACTOR	IN	
PROMOTING	THE	CAPACITY	OF	OUR	INSTITUTIONS	TO	ADAPT	TO	CHANGES	IN	
THE	ENVIRONMENT.	I	HAVE	USED	THE	EXAMPLE	OF	THE	CPNRD	TO	ILLUSTRATE	
THIS	POINT.
16	
	
A	SECOND	LESSON	IS	THAT	A	POLYCENTRIC	SYSTEM	OF	GOVERNANCE,	SUCH	AS	
THE	 ONE	 IN	 THE	 UPPER	 PLATTE	 RIVER	 BASIN,	 CREATES	 OPPORTUNITIES	 FOR	
INTERACTIONS	AT	DIFFERENT	SCALES.	I	HAVE	USED	THE	EXAMPLE	OF	CPNRD	TO	
SHOW	 HOW	 THESE	 INTERACTIONS	 CAN	 WORK,	 IN	 PARTICULAR	 ITS	 LEASE	
AGREEMENT	 WITH	 THE	 PRRIP	 AUGMENTING	 STREAM	 FLOWS	 AND	 REDUCING	
SHORTAGES	 TO	 USFWS	 TARGET	 FLOWS	 IN	 THE	 UPPER	 PLATTE	 RIVER	 BASIN.	
OTHER	NRDS	IN	THIS	BASIN	ALSO	PARTICIPATE	IN	THE	PRRIP’S	WATER	ACTION	
PLAN.	
I	HOPE	THAT	I	HAVE	MADE	THE	CASE	FOR	THE	IMPORTANCE	OF	STUDYING	THE	
GOVERNANCE	OF	WATER.	THE	ROLE	OF	SCIENCE	IN	MANAGEMENT	DECISION-
MAKING	 IS	 A	 PARTICULAR	 INTEREST	 OF	 MINE,	 ESPECIALLY	 IN	 ADAPTIVE	
MANAGEMENT.	I	WANT	TO	HEAR	FROM	YOU	IF	YOU	ARE	INTERESTED	AS	WELL.	
I	WANT	TO	THANK	YOU	FOR	INVITING	ME	AND	FOR	YOUR	ATTENTION.	
Source:	 T.	 Koontz	 et	 al.	 (2015)	 “Adaptive	 Institutions	 in	 Social-Ecological	
Systems	Governance:	A	Synthesis	Framework,”	Environmental	Science	&	Policy.

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2017 01-18 water seminar lecture

  • 1. 1 WATER SEMINAR GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE AND THANK YOU FOR COMING. AND THANK YOU TO CHITTARANJAN AND THE WATER CENTER FOR INVITING ME TO SHARE WITH YOU MY RESEARCH ON INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT IN NEBRASKA. [INSERT COVER SLIDE] LET ME FIRST PROVIDE YOU WITH A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ABOUT HOW I APPROACH THE SUBJECT OF THIS LECTURE. MY TRAINING AS A PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEADS ME FIRST AND FOREMOST TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOVERNANCE OF THE MAJOR RIVER BASINS IN NEBRASKA, INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT OF GROUND WATER THAT HAS A HYDROLOGICAL CONNECTION TO STREAM FLOWS. GOVERNANCE OF THE PLATTE RIVER BASIN IN PARTICULAR DEALS WITH THE INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF SURFACE AND GROUND WATER, AS WELL AS THE MANAGEMENT OF DAMS, DIVERSIONS AND STORAGE FOR HYDROPOWER, FLOOD CONTROL AND IRRIGATION. [INSERT MAP OF PLATTE RIVER]
  • 2. 2 AS YOU KNOW, THE NORTH PLATTE AND SOUTH PLATTE RIVERS JOIN TOGETHER AND BECOME THE PLATTE RIVER IN NORTH PLATTE, NE. DAMS, AS WELL AS WATER DIVERSION AND STORAGE PROJECTS HAVE CHANGED THE PLUMBING OF THE RIVER IN WAYS THAT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER LECTURE TO COVER ADEQUATELY. THE SHORT VERSION, THOUGH, IS THAT THESE PROJECTS HAVE SERVED THE AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIES OF NEBRASKA, COLORADO AND WYOMING, BUT IT HAVE ALSO FUNDAMENTALLY ALTERED THE NATURAL FLOW REGIME OF THE PLATTE RIVER. THERE ARE MANY ENTITIES THAT ARE PART OF GOVERNANCE ON THE PLATTE RIVER. THERE IS A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AMONG THE THREE STATES OF NEBRASKA, COLORADO AND WYOMING AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR THAT CREATED THE PLATTE RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM. THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE OF THE PRRIP INCLUDES MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE U.S.F.W.S., U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, THE THREE STATES, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NRDS, PUBLIC POWER AND IRRIGATION DISTRICTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NEBRASKA AUDUBON SOCIETY. THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE IS A UNIQUE CASE OF COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE, THAT I HAVE STUDIED IT FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS WITH A GRANT FROM THE WATER FOR FOOD INSTITUTE.
  • 3. 3 THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT ALLOWED NEBRASKA, COLORADO AND WYOMING TO PROCEED WITH WATER PROJECTS ALONG THE PLATTE IN EXCHANGE FOR DEFINED CONTRIBUTIONS OF WATER AND LAND AIMED AT THE RESTORATION OF CRITICAL HABITAT FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS, SUCH AS THE WHOOPING CRANE, LISTED AS ENDANGERED OR THREATENED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. THE RESTORATION PROJECTS ARE UNDERWAY ALONG THE BIG BEND REACH, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ASSOCIATED HABITAT AREA. THE PRRIP IS ONE PIECE OF INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT. I WILL EXPLAIN SHORTLY WHY THE PRRIP CARES ABOUT SURFACE AND GROUND WATER HAVING A HYDROLOGICAL CONNECTION. ANOTHER PIECE IS INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLANNING IN NE, AUTHORIZED BY STATE LAW IN 2004 AND INVOLVING DNR AND NRDS. ALTOGETHER THESE ELEMENTS FORM A POLYCENTRIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE, DEFINED AS HAVING MULTIPLE OVERLAPPING JURISDICTIONS AT DIFFERENT SCALES, EACH WITH SOME INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY OVER PARTICULAR ISSUES OR FUNCTIONAL AREAS. [INSERT MAP OF THE NRDS]
  • 4. 4 THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 23 NRDS WHOSE JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES FOLLOW THE RIVER BASINS IN THE STATE. NRDS ARE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, WITH LOCALLY ELECTED BOARDS AND AUTHORITY OVER GROUND WATER USE. IT IS A UNIQUE APPROACH TO WATER MANAGEMENT, FOUND ONLY IN THIS STATE. IT IS UNIQUE FOR TWO REASONS. THE FIRST IS THAT IN MANY CASES LOCAL GOVERNMENT JURISDICTIONS DO NOT FOLLOW NATURAL BOUNDARIES LIKE RIVER BASINS OR SUB-BASINS. THE WAY THAT POLICYMAKERS OFTEN TRY TO DEAL WITH THIS DISCONNECT IS EXPAND THE SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT SO THAT IT OVERLAPS THOSE NATURAL BOUNDARIES. WE OFTEN END UP WITH LARGE- SCALE TOP-DOWN GOVERNMENT. THE NRD SYSTEM IS UNIQUE BECAUSE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS FOLLOW THE RIVER BASINS AND SUB-BASINS IN THE STATE. THE SECOND REASON WHY THE NEBRASKA APPROACH IS SO UNIQUE IS RELATED TO THE FIRST: BECAUSE WE HAVE THE NRD SYSTEM THAT MANAGES GROUND WATER USE, STATE LAW AUTHORIZING INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLANNING GIVES A MAJOR ROLE TO THE NRDS AND CREATES A BOTTOM-UP PLANNING PROCESS. THE DNR WORKS JOINTLY WITH THE NRDS AND PLAYS THE ROLE OF FACILITATOR, PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE.
  • 5. 5 EACH NRD IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW TO JOINTLY DEVELOP (WITH THE DNR) AN IMP IF THEIR JURISDICTION FALLS WITHIN A RIVER BASIN OR SUB-BASIN DETERMINED BY DNR TO BE FULLY APPROPRIATED, OR DESIGNATED BY DNR AS OVER APPROPRIATED. THE FIVE NRDS WHOSE BOUNDARIES ARE WITHIN THE OVER APPROPRIATED STRETCH OF THE UPPER PLATTE BASIN ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO DEVELOP (TOGETHER WITH THE DNR) A BASIN WIDE PLAN. [INSERT MAP OF FULLY APPROPRIATED AREA] [INSERT MAP OF OVER APPROPRIATED AREA] SINCE THE GOVERNANCE OF THE PLATTE RIVER IS SO COMPLEX, I WILL EXAMINE LATER DETAILS ABOUT THE ROLE OF ONE NRD INVOLVED IN THIS GOVERNANCE PROCESS: THE CPNRD. IT IS LOCATED IN THE ASSOCIATED HABITAT AREA OF THE PRRIP, IT IS REPRESENTED ON THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE OF THE PRIPP, AND ITS JURISDICTION FALLS WITHIN AN AREA OF THE UPPER PLATTE BASIN REQUIRED TO DEVELOP BOTH AN IMP AND A BASIN WIDE PLAN.
  • 6. 6 IN THE INTERESTS OF TIME I WANT TO CONDENSE THE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEFINITIONS OF FULLY AND OVER APPROPRIATED INTO WHAT MAY SEEM LIKE A SIMPLISTIC REDUCTION. BUT LET ME SUGGEST THAT IF AN AREA IS FULLY APPROPRIATED THEN THERE IS A BALANCE BETWEEN SURFACE WATER SUPPLIES AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR IRRIGATION, INDUSTRIAL, MUNICIPAL AND SO ON. THE DNR, WHICH APPROVES SURFACE WATER RIGHTS, HAS DECLARED A MORATORIUM ON NEW SURFACE WATER RIGHTS IN THESE AREAS. IF AN AREA IS OVER APPROPRIATED THEN - - AS THE TERM SUGGESTS - - THE SUPPY OF SURFACE WATER IS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS. THE IMPS IN THOSE AREAS MUST OFFSET DEPLETIONS TO STREAMFLOWS DUE TO WATER USE AFTER JULY 1, 1997. NOW THE REASON WHY INTEGRATED SURFACE AND GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT IS NECESSARY IS THAT A MAJOR SOURCE OF THE DEPLETIONS TO SURFACE WATER IN HC AREAS IS GROUND WATER IRRIGATION. ENTER THE NRDS WITH AUTHORITY OVER GROUND WATER USE. THEIR IMPS MUST INCLUDE PLANS TO OFFSET DEPLETIONS TO SURFACE WATER APPROPRIATIONS. [INSERT “INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLANS”]
  • 7. 7 LB 962 AUTHORIZED INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLANNING IN 2004 AS AN AMENDMENT TO THE GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION ACT. THE PRRIP WAS A MAJOR MOTIVATION, AND STATE LEGISLATORS WANTED TO GET AHEAD OF ITS START DATE IN 2007. THE REQUIREMENTS IN STATE LAW ARE PRETTY BASIC, LEAVING THE NRDS TO DEVELOP PLANS THAT MAKE SENSE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNIQUE HYDROGEOLOGY IN EACH AREA. THE CPNRD IS A CASE IN POINT. SINCE THE AREA WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION DESIGNATED AS OVER APPROPRIATED IS HYDROLOGICALLY CONNECTED TO GROUND WATER, ITS IMP MUST OFFSET DEPLETIONS DUE TO WATER USE IN ITS DISTRICT USING 1997 AS THE REFERENCE POINT. IN FULLY APPROPRIATED AREAS THERE CAN BE NO NEW DEPLETIONS. AS I WILL SHOW LATER, THE CPNRD HAS AVOIDED HAVING TO REGULATE GROUND WATER USE BY DEVELOPING A WATER BANK AND BY ENTERING INTO PURCHASE OR LEASE AGREEMENTS WITH PRIVATE CANAL COMPANIES.
  • 8. 8 THE IMP PROCESS MUST CONSULT WITH STAKEHOLDERS. IN THE CASE OF THE CPNRD THE LATE GENERAL MANAGER, RON BISHOP, SPENT YEARS WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN HIS DISTRICT TO DESIGN THESE PROJECTS. I WILL RETURN TO THIS POINT LATER WITH MORE SPECIFICS. THE BASIN WIDE PLAN MUST ALSO CONSULT AND COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS. I CHECKED THE DNR WEB SITE BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST NOW BEGINNING THE SECOND TEN YEAR BASIN WIDE PLANNING CYCLE AND THERE ARE OVER THIRTY PRIMARY STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED. THOSE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDE THE FIVE NRDS, PUBLIC POWER AND IRRIGATION DISTRICTS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM SURFACE WATER USERS, GROUND WATER IRRIGATORS, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT/WILDLIFE. IMPS AND BASIN WIDE PLANS ARE JOINTLY DEVELOPED WITH THE DNR. BUT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE STATE’S ROLE IS TO FACILITATE THE PLANNING PROCESS, NOT TO DIRECT IT IN A TOP-DOWN REGULATORY FASHION.
  • 9. 9 THE ROLE OF THE NRDS IN THE OVER APPROPRIATED STRETCH OF THE UPPER PLATTE BASIN GOES BEYOND THE IMP PROCESS. THEY ALSO SHARE RESPONSIBILITY WITH DNR FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NEBRASKA NEW DEPLETION PLAN THAT IS PART OF THE PRRIP. [INSERT “NEW DEPLETION PLAN”] THE STATE OF NEBRASKA AGREED TO PREVENT OR MITIGATE NEW DEPLETIONS TO USFWS TARGET FLOWS TO THE EXTENT THOSE NEW DEPLETIONS ARE CAUSED BY NEW AND EXPANDED USES OF WATER ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 1997. REPONSIBILITY IS SHARED BETWEEN DNR AND THE NRDS IN THE UPPER PLATTE RIVER BASIN. THE STATE AND NRDS COVERED BY THE NEW DEPLETIONS PLAN ARE RESPONSIBLE TO OFFSET NEW (DEFINED AS STARTING IN 1997 - - THE DATE OF THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT) GROUND WATER USES IN HC AREAS. THE DEFINITION OF HC IS WHERE THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT ON STREAM FLOW DEPLETION FROM WELLS CONSTRUCTED IN THAT AREA WOULD = 28 PER CENT OF TOTAL GROUND WATER CONSUMED AS A RESULT OF WITHDRAWALS OVER A 40 YEAR PERIOD. (REPEAT THE DEFINITION)
  • 10. 10 YOU WILL NOTICE A COINCIDENCE HERE: UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF LB 962, IF AN NRD IS WITHIN AN OVER APPROPRIATED AREA IT MUST GET BACK TO 1997 CONDITIONS. THE YEAR 1997 IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT WAS THE YEAR IN WHICH NE SIGNED THE PRIPP COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT. [INSERT “GOVERNANCE” SLIDE noting blue and red] THIS SLIDE SUMMARIZES THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE POLYCENTRIC SYSTEM OF WATER GOVERNANCE THAT IS SO UNIQUE AND THEORETICALLY SIGNIFICANT. HERE AGAIN IS THE DEFINITION USED BY MY COLLEAGUE, TOM KOONTZ, WHO HAS CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON ADAPTI INSTITUTIONS IN SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS GOVERNANCE: [INSERT “POLYCENTRIC GOVERNANCE”] A POLYCENTRIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE IS DEFINED AS HAVING MULTIPLE OVERLAPPING JURISDICTIONS AT DIFFERENT SCALES, EACH WITH SOME INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY OVER PARTICULAR ISSUES OR FUNCTIONAL AREAS. IT HAS INTERDEPENDENT CENTERS OF AUTHORITY, EACH WITH QUALIFIED INDEPENDENCE OVER ITS OWN FUNCTIONAL AREA, AND IT IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS SELF-ORGANIZED: ARISING IN A BOTTOM UP FASHION WITH NEW BOUNDARIES THAT CAN MATCH THE SCALE OF THE ISSUE AT HAND.
  • 11. 11 IT PROMOTES INTERACTIONS UP AND DOWN LEVELS OF GOVERNANCE AND PROMOTES INSTITUTIONS THAT CAN ADAPT TO CHANGING CONDITIONS, SUCH AS WEATHER, ICE PACK IN THE HEADWATERS AND VARIATIONS IN RIVER FLOWS. [INSERT DIAGRAM] THIS SLIDE SHOWS HOW THE ELEMENTS OF WHAT I HAVE DEFINED AS A POLYCENTRIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE FIT TOGETHER. THE NRDS IN THE UPPER PLATTE BASIN JOINTLY DEVELOP WITH DNR THEIR IMPS AND ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE BASIN WIDE PLAN PROCESS. STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PROCESS ARE OFF TO THE SIDE WITHOUT CONNECTING ARROWS, BECAUSE THEIR ROLE IS LIMITED TO CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION WITH THE DECISION MAKERS AUTHORIZED BY LB 962 - - DNR AND THE NRDS. BUT NOTICE THAT CNPPID (AND NPPD) ARE REPRESENTED ON THE GC OF THE PRRIP. YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THERE ARE ALSO ARROWS GOING FROM DNR TO THE PRRIP AS WELL AS ARROWS GOING TO THE PRRIP DIRECTLY FROM THE NRDS, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALSO REPRESENTED ON THE GC. THE NRDS SHARE A VOTE WITH CNPPID AND NPPD.
  • 12. 12 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PRRIP DEPENDS ON THE STATES AND THEIR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO REDUCE SHORTAGES TO USFWS TARGET FLOW IN THE PLATTE RIVER THROUGH A COMBINATION OF RETIMING SURFACE WATER AND OFFSETTING DEPLETIONS TO STREAM FLOWS FROM GROUND WATER USE. I WANT TO FOCUS NOW ON THE CPNRD AS A CASE STUDY AND LOOK AT ITS ROLE IN THIS GOVERNANCE SYSTEM. THE DISTRICT’S JURISDICTION OVERLAPS WITH THE ASSOCIATED HABITAT AREA OF THE PRRIP AND IS ALSO LOCATED IN THE UPPER PLATTE BASIN DESIGNATED BY DNR AS OVER APPROPRIATED. [INSERT MAPS OF PLATTE RIVER AND OVER APPROPRIATED AREA] THE CPNRD HAS ENTERED INTO PURCHASE AND LEASE AGREEMENTS WITH THE COZAD DITCH COMPANY, THE THIRTY MILE IRRIGATION DISTRICT AND THE ORCHARD/ALFALFA CANAL. THE CPNRD PAYS FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THESE CANALS, AND APPLIES ON THEIR BEHALF TO THE DNR TO STORE EXCESS STREAMFLOWS DURING THE NON-IRRIGATION SEASON FOR GROUND WATER RECHARGE AND EVENTUAL RETURN TO THE PLATTE. [INSERT CENTRAL PLATTE PARTNERSHIPS]
  • 13. 13 SURFACE WATER IRRIGATORS WITH WELLS CAN SWITCH TO GROUND WATER, WHICH IS OFTEN LESS EXPENSIVE. THE CPNRD CAN USE THE RECHARGE PROJECTS AS OFFSETS TO NEW DEPLETIONS. THE NRD CAN ALSO APLY TO THE DNR ON BEHALF OF THESE SURFACE WATER PROVIDERS TO DIVERT SURFACE WATER DURING THE IRRIGATION SEASON BACK TO THE RIVER, AND TO LEASE A PORTION OF THAT WATER BACK TO THE PRRIP. THE PRRIP CAN COUNT THAT WATER TOWARD ITS MILESTONE OF REDUCING SHORTAGES TO USFWS TARGET FLOWS. FINALLY THE NRD CAN USE BOTH THE OTHER PORTION OF THAT AUGMENTED FLOW AND THE OFFSET FROM GROUND WATER RECHARGE IN THE CANALS TO MEET ITS RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE NEW DEPLETION PLAN. FUNDS FOR THESE PROJECTS CAME FROM THE CPNRD, THE NE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST, AND THE STATE WATER MANAGEMENT FUND, AS WELL AS THE PRRIP THROUGH ITS LEASE AGREEMENT WITH CPNRD. [INSERT CPNRD WATER BANK]
  • 14. 14 THE CPNRD WAS ALSO THE FIRST NRD TO START A WATER BANK. THE WAY THE WATER BANK WORKS IS THAT THE NRD PURCHASES WATER RIGHTS FROM WILLING OWNERS WHO AGREE TO STOP IRRIGATING ALL OR A PORTION OF THEIR LAND. THE NRD CALCULATES THE SELLING PRICE BASED ON THE IMPACT OF THAT WATER RIGHT IN TERMS OF AF RETURNED TO THE PLATTE AND THEN “BANKS” THAT AMOUNT TO BE USED AS AN OFFSET TO NEW DEPLETIONS. THE WATER BANK ALLOWS THE NRD TO MEET ITS RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER BOTH LB 962 AND THE NEW DEPLETION PLAN THAT IS PART OF THE PRRIP. IT ALLOWS THE NRD TO MEET THE NEEDS OF NEW INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS THE NEEDS OF MUNICIPALITIES WITH GROWING POPULATIONS - - WITHOUT HAVING TO REGULATE OR RESTRICT EXISTING GROUND WATER USE. WHILE THERE IS A MORATORIUM AS PART OF THE IMP ON NEW AND EXPANDED PUMPING, THERE HAS - - AS OF YET - - BEEN NO MANDATORY WITHDRAWALS OF IRRIGATED ACRES FROM PRODUCTION.
  • 15. 15 [INSERT “WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED”] SO WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED SO FAR ABOUT THE GOVERNANCE OF INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT IN NEBRASKA? THE FIRST - - AND MOST IMPORTANT - - CONCLUSION IS THAT NEBRASKA’S APPROACH IS UNIQUE AMONG THE FIFTY STATES. NEBRASKA IS UNIQUE BECAUSE THE IMP PROCESS IS ESSENTIALLY BOTTOM-UP, WITH DNR FACILITATING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NRD PLANS. DNR ADMINISTERS THE SYSTEM OF SURFACE WATER APPROPRIATIONS FOR SURFACE WATER USERS, BUT ITS ROLE IN THE IMP PROCESS IS NOT TO REPRESENT PROVIDERS, LIKE CNPPID, IN DECISION MAKING. THE NRD SYSTEM IS ONE-OF-A KIND, BECAUSE LOCAL BOUNDARIES FOLLOW THE RIVER BASINS. RESEARCH ON POLYCENTRIC GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS, SUCH AS THE WORK OF MY COLLEAGUE TOM KOONTZ, SUGGESTS THAT MATCHING JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES TO THE SCALE OF THE ISSUE, IS A KEY FACTOR IN PROMOTING THE CAPACITY OF OUR INSTITUTIONS TO ADAPT TO CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE USED THE EXAMPLE OF THE CPNRD TO ILLUSTRATE THIS POINT.
  • 16. 16 A SECOND LESSON IS THAT A POLYCENTRIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE, SUCH AS THE ONE IN THE UPPER PLATTE RIVER BASIN, CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERACTIONS AT DIFFERENT SCALES. I HAVE USED THE EXAMPLE OF CPNRD TO SHOW HOW THESE INTERACTIONS CAN WORK, IN PARTICULAR ITS LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE PRRIP AUGMENTING STREAM FLOWS AND REDUCING SHORTAGES TO USFWS TARGET FLOWS IN THE UPPER PLATTE RIVER BASIN. OTHER NRDS IN THIS BASIN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRRIP’S WATER ACTION PLAN. I HOPE THAT I HAVE MADE THE CASE FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE GOVERNANCE OF WATER. THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN MANAGEMENT DECISION- MAKING IS A PARTICULAR INTEREST OF MINE, ESPECIALLY IN ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AS WELL. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME AND FOR YOUR ATTENTION. Source: T. Koontz et al. (2015) “Adaptive Institutions in Social-Ecological Systems Governance: A Synthesis Framework,” Environmental Science & Policy.