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<br />
<br />SUMMARY OF HEARING
<br />REPORT#4, PROPERTY RIGHTS IN GROUNDWATER
<br />7:00 p.m.
<br />MARCH 24, 1982
<br />NRC Conference Room
<br />Nebraska State Office Building
<br />Lincoln, Nebraska
<br />
<br />Persons attending:
<br />
<br />Henry Reifschneider, Lincoln. NAG
<br />James Cook. Lincoln. NRC
<br />Alvin Narjes, Sidney, NRC
<br />Clinton VonSeggern, Scribner. NAC
<br />Ervin Lechner. Beatrice. NAC
<br />Howard Hardy, Fairbury, NRG
<br />Beth Spaugh. Eagle. Sierra Club
<br />Alan Eastman, Lincoln
<br />Brenda Gillan, Lincoln
<br />Doug Taylor, Uncoln. University
<br />Bradley Campbell, Lincoln, University
<br />Don McCabe, Lincoln, Nebraska Farmer
<br />Bill Fairfield, Omaha. Nebr. Assoc. of Center
<br />Pivot Mfg.
<br />Hal Schroeder, Lincoln. Lower Platte South NRD
<br />Robert Mettenbrink, Grand Island
<br />Larry Behrens, Grand Island
<br />Fred Thomas. Omaha
<br />
<br />Richard Slama. Lincoln
<br />Kay Williamson. Lincoln
<br />Elaine Vrana. Seward
<br />Tony Vrana. Seward, NRC
<br />Warren Patefield, Lincoln, NRC
<br />Robert Gifford. Gering, NRC
<br />Rudolf Kokes, Ord, NRC
<br />Jim Cook, Mills, NRC
<br />Don Thompson, McCook, NAC
<br />Richard Hahn, Grand Island, NRC
<br />William Holland, Omaha
<br />Dayle Williamson, Uncoln, NAC
<br />Don Hood, Tecumseh, Nemaha NRD
<br />Joe Munn, Lincoln
<br />Harvey Langrehr, St. Ubory, NE
<br />Renald Barrett, Mead
<br />Mike Barrett. Mead
<br />
<br />PUBLIC NOTICE
<br />
<br />Legal notice of this hearing was published in
<br />six newspapers across the state. In addition,
<br />press releases were sent to every newspaper
<br />and AM radio station in the state.
<br />
<br />HEARING PROCEDURE
<br />
<br />Henry Reifschneider presided over the
<br />hearing. Prior to the receipt of testimony, Jim
<br />Cook summarized the contents of the report and
<br />identified some staff suggested revisions and
<br />additions to the report. All present were given an
<br />opportunity to testify. An informal Question and
<br />answer period was then conducted, and op-
<br />portunity for additional testimony was granted
<br />prior to the conclusion of the hearing.
<br />
<br />TESTIMONY OFFERED
<br />
<br />Larry Behrens. Grand Island, noted Article 1,
<br />Section 1 of the Nebraska Constitution and
<br />expressed his view that water under an in-
<br />dividual'S land belonged to that individual. He felt
<br />that the landowner's right to use that water could
<br />
<br />not be constitutionally deprived.
<br />Joe Munn. Lincoln. testified stating that he
<br />was representing a Mr. Lynn Schoffer, also of
<br />Uncoln. He expressed a concern that the rights
<br />to use water lor domestic purposes were not
<br />adequately protected in Nebraska and suggest-
<br />ed that additional protection be provided.
<br />Richard Slama. Lincoln. testified stressing
<br />the importance of conservation practices to
<br />maintenance of groundwater supplies. He noted
<br />that these practices, including no till farming.
<br />better retained preCipitation on the land. thus
<br />reducing the demands lor groundwater irrigation
<br />and also helping to enhance natural recharge.
<br />Beth Spaugh. Eagle. NE. testified on behalf
<br />of the Nebraska Chapter of the Sierra Club. In her
<br />testimony she suggested that groundwater re-
<br />sources are the property of the people; that there
<br />is a need for further management of groundwater
<br />supplies; that sustained yield ought to be the
<br />objective in such management; that irrigators
<br />should improve efficiency and use 01 water: that
<br />the interrelationship between groundwater and
<br />suriace water ought to be recognized: and that
<br />allocation can be an effective tool in managing
<br />water use.
<br />
<br />S-l
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