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Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson announced today that all 6 of the projects he requested are included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 which has now passed Congress and is on its way to President Bush for his signature.
"These water projects are important to Nebraska's farmers, ranchers, agri-businesses, and water users in the Omaha and Lincoln areas. They are essential to protect and improve critical infrastructure in the Missouri River as well as to provide for watershed planning, flood damage reduction, environmental quality, habitat loss and drought mitigation around the state,” said Nelson.
On Monday, the Senate approved HR 1495, the Water Resource Development conference report by a vote of 81-12. The following Nebraska projects that were included in that legislation are as follows:
Republican River Basin Restoration and Drought Mitigation- Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado:
This provision will establish a program for providing ecosystem restoration and drought response and mitigation assistance to non-federal interests, including the eradication of non-native invasive plant species such as Russian olive and saltcedar through the entire watershed drainage of the Republican River.
Lower Platte River-Nebraska. Authorizes $12 million for Lower Platte River Watershed Restoration to further strengthen planning and advance implementation of restoration measures and projects for flood damage reduction, water quantity and quality in the watershed.
Missouri River Mitigation-Nebraska, Montana, North and South Dakota. Conduct study to mitigate losses of aquatic and terrestrial habitat; recover federally listed species under Endangered Species Act; restore the ecosystem to prevent further declines among other native species. Cost: $2.5 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
Sand Creek Watershed-Wahoo. Ecosystem restoration and flood damage reduction.
Antelope Creek-Lincoln. Flood damage reduction.
Western Sarpy-Clear Creek-Nebraska. Authorizes $14 million for ecosystem restoration and flood damage reduction. This project will construct a system to protect vital drinking water infrastructure that will serve nearly 50% of Nebraska’s population in the eastern part of the state from flooding due to annually threatened ice jams on the Platte River. Flooding in the area in 1993 severed one-half of the City of Lincoln’s water supply and catastrophe was again threatened in 1997 from ice-jam induced flooding. The project will provide flood protection to the new Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District well field and a new water treatment plant on the Western side of the Platte River now in development south of U.S. Highway 92.
Senator Nelson disclosed these projects on his official Senate website earlier this year. Nebraskans had an opportunity to send Nelson comments on the projects before the bill was completed by Congress. Nelson supports these projects because the federal government should work with the states to develop responsible water use and management policies.
A May 22, 2007, editorial in the Omaha World Herald urged quick passage of the legislation. It stated that "the delicate task of balancing the myriad of interests along the Missouri River; flood control, barge navigation, recreation and endangered species would continue to move forward" if the legislation wins full endorsement of Congress, which is now the case.
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