From the Omaha World-Herald (Joe Duggan):
Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado have reached another key agreement on management of the Republican River for irrigation in 2015. Representatives from all three states, who serve on the Republican River Compact Administration, signed a resolution Wednesday that they said will benefit water users throughout the river basin, according to a press release.
The agreement credits Nebraska for augmentation water delivered to Harlan County Lake before June 1, 2015. Two projects, operated by several natural resources districts in Nebraska, pipe groundwater to the lake to be used for surface irrigation. Water delivered by the projects is for exclusive use by Kansas irrigators.
Wednesday’s agreement follows two related resolutions signed by compact members last month. Representatives from the states say the agreements demonstrate “a new spirit of cooperation” after years of legal battles between Nebraska and Kansas.
In October, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on a special master’s recommendation on penalties for Nebraska’s overuse of compact water in 2005 and 2006. A final decision by the court is expected by the end of June.
More Republican River Basin coverage here.