Hopeful Signs for River Basin
By NATE JENKINS 09.24.07, 4:06 PM ETKEARNEY, Neb. -

Nebraska may still wind up in court for using more Republican River water than allowed, but the state is building a case that it shouldn't be punished with millions of dollars in damages or be forced to shut down irrigation wells.

Gov. Dave Heineman told water officials from across the state Monday there is a very good chance the Republican basin will be below its water use cap next year, under a three-state compact that includes Kansas and Colorado.

Data shows Nebraska will be under the cap this year - but with a caveat. A key portion of the basin near Kansas may be over its allocation under a measure of use during water-short years, which this year is.

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