Opinion ID: 1929178
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Negative Effect

Text: In considering the third, or negative effect, factor, the director found that Lidstone's computations were known to be in error. The director went on to write: But, whether they overstate additional drawdown (inferred from his belief that the water table will continue to rise), or whether they understate it (due to unquantified corrections to account for boundary conditions), cannot be determined. Because of that uncertainty, negative effects withdrawals from [the subject well] might cause cannot be quantitatively determined. Consequently, expected impacts upon future demands are unclear also. In stating in the order that because of the uncertainty of Lidstone's computations, the negative effects of the withdrawal could not be quantitatively determined, the director seems to have placed a burden of production and proof on Ponderosa Ridge with regard to the negative effects of the withdrawal. Although the director did not make any finding as to what the negative effects of the withdrawal would be, he apparently found against Ponderosa Ridge on this factor because he could not make a determination as to the precise nature of the negative effects of the proposed withdrawal. The question is whether an applicant bears the burden of production and proof on a factor that the director must consider; i.e., Must an applicant prove that the negative effects of a proposed withdrawal are minimal or are outweighed by the potential benefits of the proposed use? The appellees cite to In re Application 2, 226 Neb. 594, 413 N.W.2d 290 (1987), for the proposition that the burden is on an applicant to convince the director to approve the application. In that case, a department regulation provided that in addition to notice to be published, each application was to be accompanied by sufficient hydrologic information. In dicta, we observed: The objectors knew from reading the regulation above that they could defeat the application by showing that the applicant did not supply sufficient information to permit the director to approve the application. Objectors presented their position by skilled, close cross-examination of applicant's experts and by presenting an expert witness of their own. Id. at 609-10, 413 N.W.2d at 301. However, a similar department regulation is not found in the record of this case, and for that reason, In re Application U-2 is not applicable to these facts. Nonetheless, someone must present evidence relating to the factors that the director must consider in order to determine whether to grant an application. Generally, it is the party asserting the affirmative of an issue that has the burden of proving that issue. Alliance RR. Comm. Credit Union v. County of Box Butte, 243 Neb. 840, 503 N.W.2d 191 (1993). We conclude that an applicant bears the burden of providing the director enough evidence on which to base a decision. Lidstone testified that there would be minimal negative impacts. However, Dreeszen testified that there could be significant negative consequences and criticized Lidstone's findings. The director was free to believe one expert and disbelieve the other. See Berggren v. Grand Island Accessories, 249 Neb. 789, 545 N.W.2d 727 (1996). In this case, not only did the director not believe Lidstone, he found that Lidstone's computations were in error. He therefore could properly find that Ponderosa Ridge had failed in its burden of proof in that regard,