Platte River Recovery Program

The Platte River is an essential resource not only for the residents of Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado, but also to four species of endangered or threatened birds. The whooping crane, piping plover, interior least tern, pallid sturgeon, and countless other species of plants and animals live in and around the Platte River and its banks. Over the last 150 years, development and industrialization have reduced the flow of this river by two thirds and significantly narrowed its channel, much to the detriment of both the humans and animals that depend on this vital water source. The Platte River Cooperative Governance Committee negotiated an agreement for the Platte River Recovery Program, which was signed on January 1, 2007. The Recovery Program, which includes both a Land Plan and a Water Action Plan, provides 187 million dollars over 13 years with the goal of protecting and restoring the Platte River and its surrounding habitat. Improved management of overall river flows and revitalized research and monitoring of the river and its surroundings are main components of the implementation of the program.

The Land Plan focuses on the 10,000 acres of land that surround the river between Lexington and Grand Island, which includes wetlands and wet meadows. Ultimately, the committee hopes to restore the width and and openness that once characterized the braided channels of the river. As part of the Water Action Plan, 130,000-150,000 acre feet, or roughly 15 percent of the overall flow as measured in Grand Island, will be added to the river. The program takes into account the increasing water needs of surrounding cities and agricultural communities and has developed methods of offsetting the water usage. Each state is responsible for developing, funding and carrying out their own water depletion plan for new water uses, which are considered any water uses that began after July of 1997.

The January 2007 signing of the agreement for the the Platte River Recovery Program not the final step to the successful future of the program. The allocation of the full funding of Nebraska's obligation for this project is still pending. While the bulk of the program is federally funded, each state is responsible for the funding of their water depletion plan. The funding required to offset heavy water usage, such that needed for irrigation, will cost anywhere from one to five million dollars annually. The Governor and the State Legislature provided little funding in the 2007-2008 budget for this program. There is, however, something you can do to help. Write to your State Senator and ask them to support funding for the Platte River Recovery Program Depletion Plan in the Department of Natural Resources budget. The funding of this project is essential for the preservation of a beautiful Nebraskan icon!



National Geographic Documentary
And Panel Discussion

Omaha: Wednesday, 10/24, 7:30pm
Ruth Sokolof Theather, 14th & Webster

Lincoln: Thursday, 10/25, 7:00pm
Ross Media Arts Center, 313 N. 13th Street

Come to a a FREE screening of "Troubled Waters, "
an award-winning documentary that showcases six environmental crises with one thing in common: water-borne causes. Are our waters turning against us? Or are we turning against them? Come see the film and decide for yourself. Film runs 56 minutes.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion on water quality in Nebraska, with experts representing scientific, legal, agricultural, and advocacy groups.

Free tickets for this event can be picked at each box office the day of show.

Questions? Email greatplains_elc@yahoo.com.

Iowa Takes a Stand Against CAFO Pollution

DES MOINES (AP) — Environmental groups on Thursday asked the federal government to revoke Iowa's oversight of factory farms, arguing that the nation's largest hog producing state hasn't enforced rules limiting release of pollution into waterways. Click here for more.

Is Your Drinking Water Safe?

While the quality of water in our homes is generally safe, the quality of that water before it reaches our faucet is of growning concern. Poorly regulated dumping and chemical runoff contribute to poor water quality in Nebraska, and that degredation directly influences our uses of water. Without enforcement of the Clean Water Act in Nebraska, we will have fewer bodies of water to safely swim in, fish from, observe, or use as a source of drinking water.

For more information:

Clean Water Act and Nebraska's Obligation
About Clean Waters in Nebraska


If You Live Near a CAFO...

...your property taxes might be too high. Come to a free workshop hosted by GPELC and facilitated by Laura Krebsbach this April to learn if your taxes are too high, and what you can do about it. The workshops will be held in Boone and Custer Counties and all materials will be available online. Tax protest information is online here.


Press Release: Family Farmers Fight for Rights

ST. PAUL, MINN. —Representing 42 national, regional, and state farm and community organizations, Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG) today filed an Amici Curiae, or Friend of the Court, brief asking the United States Supreme Court to uphold states’ authority to enact laws that promote family farming by restricting corporations’ ability to own farmland or engage in farming. The Amici brief urges the Supreme Court to reverse a December 2006 decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit which struck down “Initiative 300,” Nebraska’s voter-enacted constitutional amendment that restricts non-family-owned corporations from engaging in farming and ranching.

Click here to read the Press Release.
Click here to read the Brief.

Environmental Tax-Credits

Buying a car or making home improvements? Click here to find out ways you can save BIG with tax-credits and help save the environment.