Twin Platte Natural Resources District

Kent O. Miller

General Manager

DEQ / EPA

Meeting

September 22, 2010

Confidential and Privileged
PLATTE RIVER WATER DEMANDS

There are commitments to add large 

quantities of water to the Platte River

 To comply with the Platte River Recovery 

Implementation Program (PRRIP) 

 To comply with LB 962.

Confidential and Privileged
Platte River Recovery Implementation Program

Adaptive Management & Collaboration on the Platte

Confidential and Privileged
PLATTE RIVER WATER DEMANDS 

Platte River Recovery Implementation Program 

The United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has set forth a set of 

“target flows” for threatened and endangered species

 Total approximately 417,000 acre feet of water

 A first increment amount of 130,000 to 150,000 acre feet of new or reregulated water has already been agreed to by the three States (Colorado, 

Wyoming, and Nebraska) and the Department of Interior

 The remainder of the 417,000 acre-feet of water has not been agreed to by 

the three States and is being evaluated over the first increment

In order to meet USFWS’s current “target flows” 

 Additional commitments of approximately 275,000 acre feet of water will be 

required to be added to the Platte River during times of target shortages

 In addition to the 130,000 to 150,000 acre feet already covered in the first 

increment agreed to by the Program participants

Additionally the Program requires each state to return to the 1997 level of 

use and impact on the river. 

Confidential and Privileged
PLATTE RIVER WATER DEMANDS 

LB 962

Confidential and Privileged
PLATTE RIVER WATER DEMANDS 

LB 962

The State of Nebraska adopted LB 962 in 2004 

 Requires Basins that the State has declared “over-appropriated” 

 To develop Integrated Management Plans (IMP) 

 and 

 To return to a “fully appropriated” condition. 

As a first step LB 962

 Requires those over-appropriated basins 

 To return to the 1997 level of use and impact on the river within the 

first ten years of the IMP.

Confidential and Privileged
PLATTE RIVER WATER DEMANDS 

PLATTE RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM 

and LB 962

 1ST Increment of PRRIP

 3 State Projects 80,000AF

 Remainder 50,000 – 70,000AF

 Return to 1997 Levels 26,200 AF 

(Current Estimate)

 Potential 2ND Increment – PRRIP 137,500 AF

(Current Estimate)

 Return to “Fully Appropriated – LB 962 114,750 – 229,500 AF 

(Current Estimates – NRDs / NE DNR are working with a Consultant )

 Potential 3rd Increment – PRRIP 137,500 AF

(Current Estimate)

TOTALS 545,950 – 680,700 AF

Confidential and Privileged
Platte River Basin & Twin Platte NRD

LB 962

 Return to 1997 Levels 

(Current Estimates)

 Basin 26,200 AF

 Twin Platte NRD 7,700 AF

 Return to “Fully Appropriated – LB 962 

(Current Estimates)

 Basin 114,750 – 229,500 AF

 Twin Platte NRD 33,750 – 67,450 AF 

Confidential and Privileged
Twin Platte Natural Resources District

Potential Offset Options

(Not Prioritized)

 Convert Irrigated Acres to Dryland

(Recharge Issue in TPNRD)

 Lowest Priority 

Confidential and Privileged
Twin Platte Natural Resources District

Convert Irrigated Acres to Dryland 

Confidential and Privileged
Twin Platte Natural Resources District

Convert Irrigated Acres to Dryland 

Confidential and Privileged
Twin Platte Natural Resources District

Potential Offset Options

(Not Prioritized)

 Surface Water – Irrigation Districts

(Would have to be a voluntary agreement with the Irrigation District – Not with 

individuals. Option on list. No discussions to date with any Irrigation District.)

 Dry Year Purchase/Lease

 Purchase/Lease

 Convert to Ground Water Irrigation

 Surface Water – Individual Rights

(Would be a voluntary agreement. Option on list. No discussions to date with 

any individual.)

 Purchase/Lease

 Convert to Dryland (Non-irrigated)

 Convert to Ground Water Irrigation

 Credit for Non-use of Existing Certified Irrigated Acres

Confidential and Privileged
Twin Platte Natural Resources District

Potential Offset Options

(Not Prioritized)

 Conversion from Sub-Irrigated Vegetation to Non-Sub-irrigated 

Vegetation

(Would be a voluntary agreement. Option on list. No discussions to date with 

any individual.)

 Lowering Water Table

 Wells

 Drain Ditches

 Tiling

 Grass Cover (Shallow Roots)

 Irrigated Crop

 Lower Consumptive Use

 Well Available for Lowering Water Table

 Conservation - Residue Management / Tillage Practices

 Prove Reduction of Consumptive Use Through Annual Reporting

 Incentives to Producers Proving Less Consumptive Use

Confidential and Privileged
Twin Platte Natural Resources District

QUESTIONS

DEQ / EPA

Meeting

September 22, 2010

Confidential and Privileged