Laserfiche WebLink
' PRRIP — ED OFFICE DRAFT 10/02/2008 <br />89 for how to evaluate water to decide if the Program should pursue and acquire. This may be used <br />90 for water associated with land opportunities, but initially trying to think more broadly. There <br />91 was discussion about the potential for Program water interests competing with water to be <br />92 acquired for the State of Nebraska depletions plan. Kent Miller said there is less concern if this <br />93 is for water associated with land habitat. Kent also said that the preference is that if a piece of <br />94 land doesn't have habitat value, and water is gained only by retiring irrigation to get consumptive <br />95 use credit, that the Program send it and the water to the NRDs first. There could also be <br />96 opportunities to partner with the NRDs. <br />97 <br />'98 Jon Altenhofen asked why the Tract 0811 land was not evaluated for potential use for WAP <br />99 projects versus solely as land habitat. This brought up the need to provide the LAC with a <br />100 checklist of Water Action Plan (WAP) related opportunities (in addition to habitat purposes) that <br />101 should be considered when evaluating land opportunities. <br />102 <br />103 Central Platte NRD has a procedure they will use to evaluate Tract 0811, using the CROPSIM <br />' 104 and COHYST model; this doesn't route the flow downstream. The Program can use that <br />105 example to test its evaluation process. The ED's office will work with Duane Woodward to <br />106 understand the process they use. <br />107 <br />108 The Program may need to pre - qualify consultants /contractors for assistance on an as- needed <br />109 basis, for assistance with these evaluations but should rely on the offices of the states' Attorney <br />110 Generals for legal review rather than involving outside groups. <br />111 <br />112 A WAC Sub - Committee will work with the ED Office to flush out the evaluation process <br />113 (Jon Altenhofen, Mike Besson, Don Anderson, Jennifer Schellpeper, and Duane Hovorka). <br />114 Potential additions to the `Preliminary Water Evaluation Process Discussion Document' were <br />'115 briefly discussed: <br />116 • Consider opportunities to partner with NRDs and other; if the only potential is <br />117 consumptive use from retiring land, and no habitat value or other benefits, then first send <br />'118 to the associated NRD to avoid direct competition <br />119 • Create a water opportunity check -list for the LAC for use in evaluating opportunities <br />120 from the WAP (e.g. recharge) <br />'121 • Identify the role of outside contractors <br />122 <br />123 The HDR conjunctive management model (surface water, ground water, and watershed) for <br />'124 Nebraska is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. The State of Nebraska and the NRDs <br />125 are participating. Jennifer will check with the group to find out if the Program can have <br />126 access to the model and what compensation might be needed. This should be included in the <br />127 FY09 budget. <br />128 <br />129 FY09 Work Plans for Water Related Activities <br />'130 Jerry Kenny and Beorn Courtney provided an explanation of draft budget items to be presented <br />131 at the October GC and asked the WAC for input. The ED Office will continue to refine the work <br />132 plans and associated budgets, based on input received from the WAC. Time will be added to <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />