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<br />amendments suggested in the report - restrict- <br />ions on all groundwater transfers not to exceed a <br />certain distance or quantity - should be consid- <br />ered. <br />Alternative #8. Seek funding for additional <br />water retention structu res. <br />In view of current efforts and general policy <br />statements which have been made regarding <br />surface water storage, the Commission recom- <br />mends implementation of this alternative as one <br />method of making more water available for bene- <br />ficia/ use across the state. Since our intent is to <br />conserve and preserve our water by putting it to <br />beneficial use within the state, this alternative <br />would be one step toward an overall goal of <br />maximum water utilization. <br />Alternative # 11: Enact a statute requiring that <br />persons compiy with an out-of-state law as a <br />condition for receiving a Nebraska permit to <br />conduct seeding activities in Nebraska de- <br />signed to have an impact out-of-state. <br />We recommend the adoption of this alternative <br />for reasons of interstate courtesy and friendship <br />and to encourage the mutual recognition of offi- <br />cial state acts. While this alternative does not <br />benefit Nebraska directly, it will aid those states <br />having weather modification laws which could be <br />circumvented by carrying out the activities in an <br />upwind state which has no law forbidding them. It <br />is one more way of cooperating with neighboring <br />states without apparent detriment to Nebraska. <br /> <br />ALTERNATIVES NOT <br />RECOMMENDED <br /> <br />The following alternatives are not recommend- <br />ed by the Commission: <br />Alternative # 1 (Make no change) was rejected <br />because the Commission felt, in light of certain <br />current events, some changes were needed. <br />Alternative #3 (Negotiation of interstate <br />groundwater compacts) is not recommended at <br />this time because not enough precise informa- <br />tion is available upon which to base any kind of <br />apportionment. <br />Alternative # 5 (Provide that certain uses of water <br />not be considered beneficial uses) was rejected <br />because the Commission believes that "benefi- <br />cial" use should refer to the nonwasteful and <br />efficiency elements of water use rather than <br /> <br />particular types of use. Furthermore, we feel the <br />state poiicy should be to promote the most <br />beneficial use of water. For this reason, we <br />suggest waiting for the completion of the Policy <br />Issue Study on Water Use Efficiency before <br />making any definite recommendations on what <br />types of water use mayor may not be beneficial <br />uses. <br />Alternative # 7 (Provide for reservation of <br />waters by the Department of Water Resources to <br />fulfill public interest requirements) is not recom- <br />mended. While a concept of reserving future <br />streamflows has substantial merit from the <br />standpoint of interstate water use and conflicts, it <br />is viewed as having a comparatively small impact <br />within the state of Nebraska itself. The idea could <br />create potentially more discontent internally <br />among water users than it could dispel byestab- <br />lishing a favorable posture for future interstate <br />water allocations. The Report on Preferences in <br />the Use of Water attempted to recognize such <br />reservations for preferred water uses; however <br />the Municipal Wafer Needs Policy Issue Study <br />found very little application to municipalities for a <br />similar alternative. Therefore, we have decided to <br />reject this alternative at the present time. <br />Alternative #9 (Authorize a state agency to buy <br />water rights in another state) is also not recom- <br />mended. The Commission is of the opinion that if <br />Nebraska wants the right to purchase water <br />rights in other states, it would have to grant <br />similar rights to other states to purchase water <br />rights in Nebraska. We do not want other states <br />to be able to buy Nebraska water. <br />Alternative # 1 0 (Allow a state agency to partici- <br />pate in construction of water projects in other <br />states) was rejected for the reason that the <br />opportunity to participate in out-of-state water <br />projects will come up so infrequently and will <br />present such specialized problems that the Leg- <br />islature will need to give each project individual <br />attention. <br />Alternative # 12 (Negotiation of an interstate <br />weather modification compact) is not recom- <br />mended at this time. The existing "science" of <br />weather modification is not very precise and the <br />lack of interest indicated by the cancellation of <br />the Po/icy Issue Study on Weather Modification <br />make the pursuit of an interstate weather modifi- <br />cation compact inappropriate. <br /> <br />II <br />