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sources to fulfill public interest require- ments. Alternative #8. Seek funding for additional water retention structures. ALTERNATIVES TO IMPROVE CURRENT SUPPLY Alternative #9. Authorize a state agency to offer to buy water rights in another state. Alternative # 10. Authoriz.e a state agency to offerto and participate in the construction of projects in other states in return for a voice in project operations. ALTERNATIVES PERTAINING TO WEATHER MODIFICATION Alternative # 11. Enact a statute requiring that persons comply with an out-of-state law as a condition for receiving a Nebraska permit to conduct seeding activities in Nebraska de- signed to have an out-of-state impact. Alternative # 12. Authorize and initiate the negotiation and formation of an interstate weather modification compact. ALTERNATIVE REQUIRING NO ACTION Alternative #1: Make no change in present policies. Description and Methods of Implementa- tion. This is sometimes referred to as the "no action" alternative. The state's present policies regarding the interstate use of water and inter- state weather modification would remain un- changed. It is likely that the policy of Nebraska and surrounding states will be to continue to design ways in which to use the waters of inter- state streams and groundwater basins to the extent legally permissible within the individual state but with little interstate coordination. The interest which had developed in the early 1950's in Nebraska for weather modification in the form of rain enhancement and hail suppression has waned considerably and will probably remain minimal. For the most part, the potential for interstate coordination in this area lies mainly in the area of cooperative research projects. The methods for resolving conflicts which may arise over any particular interstate use will most likely continue along the traditional lines of litiga- tion, congressional legislation, or voluntary agreement. Nebraska has chosen in the past to deal with conflicts on a case by case basis. Some 3.2 potential problems have not yet been addressed and no known effort has been made to design Nebraska's internal water policies so that they would further the state's interstate posture. Physical/Hydrologic/Environmental Im- pacts. If the existing situation in the state con- tinues, it is unlikely that any major changes in existing water use will occur. However, existing state policies as reflected by interstate compacts and court decrees could result in much less water flowing into and available for use in the state. Any impacts on the physical/hydrologic/- environmental condition are likely to be specula- tive and long-term, and dependent upon the actual interstate conflicts which will arise and the method of resolution selected to deal with them. The result, however, may be increasing uncer- tainty and apprehension of a secure supply of water, not just an adequate one. The current situation would indicate that Nebraska frequent- ly receives more water into the state than is normally required to be delivered by compact or court decree. Any further developments or con- flicts which would reduce this average amount of water and jeopardize the status quo situation could present some serious interstate problems. Socio-Economic Impacts. Current policy with respect to interstate water uses and con- flicts is typified by ad hoc responses to problems as they arise. Apparently, little effort has been directed at anticipating problems and seeking solutions that would avoid them. Economically, the cost of reaching efficient solutions to water problems during a crisis environment can be exceedingly high. Furthermore, the existence of a "problem" likely implies an unequal bargaining position among affected parties, making it that much more difficult to fashion on efficient and equitable solution. A second economic difficulty with existing policy is its tendency to promote maximum water use in Nebraska at the expense of interstate cooperation. Other states promote similar parochial interests. If water is to be used effi- ciently, state borders should be ignored. On the other hand, individual states have an equitable claim to the water found within their borders. An economically sound policy would be to seek interstate coope'ration and establishing a mech- anism that would permit efficient use of water while protecting equitable claims of states. ALTERNATIVES TO SEEK GREATER INTERSTATE AGREEMENT Alternative #2: Authorize and initi- ate the negotiation and formation of interstate agreements or com-