Dave Nabity for Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rhonda Porter: 402-391-2273, Dave Nabity: 402-618-6759

Nabity Offers Solutions for Water and Economic Woes of Western Nebraska

(March 9, 2006-Lincoln, NE) Today, Republican candidate for governor Dave Nabity spoke to the press at the Nebraska State Capitol Building in Lincoln about new solutions for water issues and economic challenges experienced recently by Nebraskans in the western region of the state. His remarks follow.

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PRESS REMARKS
David Nabity, Republican Candidate for Governor of Nebraska
State Capitol Rotunda
3/9/06

Last week, I completed a tour of the panhandle and the southwestern areas of Nebraska. There is no question that the management of Nebraska's water was the major concern.

From the beginning of my campaign, I have shared my vision of Nebraska becoming the Jewel of the Midwest, and my vision has not changed! However, it has become very clear to me that, if we are to transform this state and see my vision accomplished, we must get a handle on our state's water issues.

Managing Nebraska's water is going to become the biggest issue in the state, and I am very concerned about the direction our state and federal leaders are taking to solve the problems. At this time, all of Nebraska is in jeopardy because of poor water policy. I fear that our current leaders are taking too much land out of production and are too willing to reduce water allocations to the point of destroying large portions of our agricultural economy.

Currently, I believe we have an "inability to perform" due to the extended drought. This, to me, is the same problem New Orleans would have trying to keep commitments after being hit by the hurricane. I also believe the Federal Government is much to blame for the disruption of stream flows due to federal conservation programs. Because of this, I believe they should be included in any settlement we have with Kansas.

The 2002 Settlement was flawed, in my opinion. All of the blame has been placed on Nebraska's irrigators, and no consideration has been given to the depleting effects that Federal Conservation Programs have had on our stream flows. Right now, we must call for an accurate accounting of the real causes of stream flow depletions and Nebraska's department of natural resources must give an accurate accounting of these conservation strategies. I'm also going to ask that the Federal Government become party to any fines that might be assessed. The 2002 Settlement is not being properly interpreted. This must be corrected.

Tom Osborne's CREP Program is also going down a misguided path to solve the problem. The idea that you would stop farming and become hunting guides is a recipe for economic devastation. My approach will be to protect the irrigators, strengthen their position by increasing their water supply through importation or water transfer strategies, and make it so they can operate successfully and efficiently. After this is accomplished, I would then suggest additional income opportunities as a supplement-opportunities such as the establishment of hunting operations on that ground, if the landowner wished to do so. That way, there would be two different business enterprises operating on the same land, and that would do nothing but help the local economies.

Dave Heineman also is planning to purchase water rights from the Bostwick Irrigation District, which will take even more land out of production. I don't want to take any more land out of production! We just need to make sure we are using our water as efficiently as possible.

Taking more and more land out of production has a negative economic impact on the entire state, especially at a time when we are trying to attract and support more ethanol and alternative fuels facilities. Do not be deceived. Purchasing water rights from the Bostwick Irrigation District is not, in any way, a complete solution to the lawsuit with Kansas.

If we have to begin paying people to solve the water problem, I don't want to send one dime to Kansas. I'd rather send a check to a Nebraska landowner who can transfer water "surpluses" to our areas of need. That way, the money stays in Nebraska, rather than simply burning up the money we send to Kansas. Also, we would be strengthening the economy of the areas where the water is then distributed, without having any negative impact on the areas where the water is diverted from. Nebraska truly is a water rich state. We simply have to figure out how to distribute our water resources to best benefit the people and the economy of our state.

Finally, as governor, I plan on making sure that my appointees understand how important the irrigators are to the overall economic health of Nebraska-from Scottsbluff to Omaha. I will waste no time in finding the right person as a replacement for the Director of the DNR. We will develop a more balanced strategy to comply, conserve and grow the economy of Nebraska. We never should have taken the Federal Government's responsibility off the table in previous negotiations.

At this time, all of Nebraska is in jeopardy because of poor management of water policy. I am ready to work hard to strengthen agriculture and industry in this state and also introduce new recreation opportunities that grow our economy. I will be Nebraska's "Water Governor."

Dave Nabity for Governor
9140 West Dodge, Suite 100
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 391-2273
www.davenabity.com