(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today signed LB 1094 into law, which allows for administrative repayments to surface water irrigators in the Republican River Basin.

 “This is important to the farmers in the Republican River Basin,” Gov. Heineman said.  “Following a lawsuit filed against the state and others, we identified obstacles and issues that have compounded the ability of farmers to receive their appropriate compensation due under LB 701. I am pleased that with this law our farmers will receive the money they are due.”

 LB 1094 solves a dilemma caused by a lawsuit filed by several landowners in the Republican River Basin against LB 701. The bill takes effect immediately and will allow surface water irrigators in the area who gave up irrigation water for the 2007 crop year to receive payment.

 Due to the timing mechanisms included in the law, all eligible farmers should receive full payment by April 17, the final day of the 2008 legislative session.

 Gov. Heineman said, “Senator Carlson has been a determined proponent for LB 1094. He fully understands the importance of this issue, both financially and economically, to the agricultural economy of the Republican River Basin.”

 LB 1094 creates the Water Contingency Cash Fund, which will be used by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to distribute $9 million to Republican River Basin Natural Resources Districts (NRDs). NRDs will pay landowners who voluntarily discontinued irrigating crops in 2007 to help increase water flowing to Kansas.

 NRDs receiving assistance must make repayments to the state no later than June 30, 2013.

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