A plan to build a canal in northeastern Colorado has taken a step forward with enabling legislation signed by the Governor.
But not the Governor of Colorado.
Pete Ricketts is the governor of Nebraska, and the bill he has signed into law will divert water out of the South Platte River, which flows from the Cornhusker state southward to Colorado.
“Water is our most important natural resource after our people,” remarked Ricketts in approving the legislation, adding, “We need to continue to manage, protect, and steward it here in our state.”
Officials in both states have offered varying interpretations regarding the rights of who can build what in the region.
Rickets and other Nebraska leaders say an agreement entered by both states and subsequently ratified by Congress in 1923 has always allowed for Nebraska to build a canal from the South Platte River into their state.
Colorado officials say substantially changed conditions since 1923, including the unprecedented growth of the Front Range of the state, should be given more consideration. Earlier this year, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signaled that he wanted to work with Nebraska on the matter but emphasized that he would “protect and aggressively assert Colorado’s rights under all existing water compacts.”
It is thought that it will cost upwards of $500 million to build the canal in question. The Nebraska legislature has so far allocated around $53.5 million for the work, with reports indicating that lawmakers will secure more funding once and if the estimated 10-year project is underway.
By Garry Boulard
