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"%.L~.J I Sixth, that non tributary ground water be administered under a modified theory of cor- relative rights with authority vested in the state Engineer to prescribe spacing require- ments. One of the problems that is now affecting wells is the overlapping of the cones of depression. The wells start inter- ferring with each other when they are improperly spaced. This is true whether in tributary or nontributary aquifers. This results in a tremendous additional expense to the well user. We say that anybody who is going to drill a well is entitled to reasonable regu- lations and protection in the spacing of those wells. Spacing requirements can be determined by permeability tests that are being conducted. This would be an absolute authority vested in the State Engineer to prescribe spacing require- ments. Further authority, we say, should be vested in the State Engineer to prescribe the annual rate of withdrawal, or the maximum depletion level, or to prohibit new ground water withdrawals, or to prescribe any other conditions for the proper utilization of the waters of the area, or any combination thereof; but only within the limitations of conditions recommended by a local political subdivision based upon equitable economic considerations. I One of the major nontributary areas we are faced with is the Republican River drainage, the high plains area, the Ogallala formation and the sand hill areas of the Republican River drainage. There is something like 80 million acre-feet of water in storage, ground water storage, in that area. The annual re- charge is about 430,000 acre-feet. The present depletions or withdrawals are probably less than 100, 000 acre-feet. We have a tremendous resource in that area which can still be devel- oped. In our opinion, the local people there are best suited to determine their own needs. When they see that the area is going to be hurt or that they are exceeding their replen- ishment or however they want to handle the