| Lincoln, NE -- Attorney General Jon
Bruning issued the following comment about a letter from the
Kansas Department of Agriculture alleging Nebraska owes more
than $72 million in damages for 2006. “While we remain
committed to working with Kansas to resolve the compact
issues, we’re disappointed to receive a damage claim that
has no basis in reality. Kansas’ method of calculating
damages was rejected by a special master and the U.S.
Supreme Court in the Arkansas River case,” said Bruning.
In 2007, Nebraska used less than its share of water. Water
officials expect the same in 2008.
Bruning also said, “We’re confident that the integrated
management plans put in place by the Nebraska Natural
Resources Districts and the Department of Natural Resources
will achieve compact compliance. I especially want to thank
the producers in the Republican River Basin who’ve taken the
extra step of using up to 30 percent less water than they
were allocated over the last few years.”
Nebraska has repeatedly requested that Kansas provide an
analysis of any actual damage it has suffered. To date, the
state hasn’t received the requested information.
Contact:
Leah Bucco-White
402.471.2067
Leah.bucco-white@nebraska.gov |
