US Fish and Wildlife:
The US Fish and Wildlife service put together a group of individuals, known as the Sandhills Task Force, whose goal is to provide diverse landscape that supports the native wildlife and also allows for thriving agriculture that takes place in that area. The ways that the Sandhills Task Force is planning on accomplishing that goal is laid out in a booklet that you can find a link to on their website. Basically, they want legislation to control the amount of water that is being taken from the aquifer; they want to educate everyone who has something to gain from the sandhills and encourage them to appreciate both the ecology and the ranching involved in the Sandhills area; they want to assist landowners in the Sandhills to improve ranching and wildlife, since the Sandhills are 95% privately owned; possibly their most important goal is to research and understand the impacts that humans have on the ecosystems, and what makes these ecosystems healthy. The goal of the Sandhills Task Force, as stated on their website is "To enhance the Sandhill wetland-grassland ecosystem in a way that sustains profitable private ranching, wildlife and vegetative diversity, and associated water supplies" (Sandhills Task Force, 2014).
The US Fish and Wildlife service put together a group of individuals, known as the Sandhills Task Force, whose goal is to provide diverse landscape that supports the native wildlife and also allows for thriving agriculture that takes place in that area. The ways that the Sandhills Task Force is planning on accomplishing that goal is laid out in a booklet that you can find a link to on their website. Basically, they want legislation to control the amount of water that is being taken from the aquifer; they want to educate everyone who has something to gain from the sandhills and encourage them to appreciate both the ecology and the ranching involved in the Sandhills area; they want to assist landowners in the Sandhills to improve ranching and wildlife, since the Sandhills are 95% privately owned; possibly their most important goal is to research and understand the impacts that humans have on the ecosystems, and what makes these ecosystems healthy. The goal of the Sandhills Task Force, as stated on their website is "To enhance the Sandhill wetland-grassland ecosystem in a way that sustains profitable private ranching, wildlife and vegetative diversity, and associated water supplies" (Sandhills Task Force, 2014).
Endangered Species Act:
In 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed and put under the US Fish and Wildlife to implement.
In 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed and put under the US Fish and Wildlife to implement.
Crane Trust:
Formed in 1978 as part of a settlement to build the Grayrocks Dam along the Platte River in Wyoming. Nebraska, downstream of the Dam, was against the construction of the Dam, so the project funded the Crane Trust. The Trust is a non-profit organization that uses science, management, and education to protect and maintain the habitats of migratory birds along the Platte River, including the endangered Whooping Crane. They try to copy the natural occurrences of the ecosystems to maintain healthy natural habitats; they track Whooping Cranes with GPS transmitters; and they study wet meadows to discover their importance to migratory birds.
Formed in 1978 as part of a settlement to build the Grayrocks Dam along the Platte River in Wyoming. Nebraska, downstream of the Dam, was against the construction of the Dam, so the project funded the Crane Trust. The Trust is a non-profit organization that uses science, management, and education to protect and maintain the habitats of migratory birds along the Platte River, including the endangered Whooping Crane. They try to copy the natural occurrences of the ecosystems to maintain healthy natural habitats; they track Whooping Cranes with GPS transmitters; and they study wet meadows to discover their importance to migratory birds.
Clean Water Amendment:
In 1977, an amendment was made to the Clean Water Act (CWA) that protects wetlands. This project was given to the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to implement.
In 1977, an amendment was made to the Clean Water Act (CWA) that protects wetlands. This project was given to the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to implement.
Water law and Governance in the High Plains States
Groundwater management in the Ogallala is not the best example of excellence in western water management. Water law was developed primarily to protect the private rights holder. There has been an uneasy fit between the successful establishment and protection of private rights and long term public interest. The management concerns today are much broader than those raised by individual permit holders. The biggest concern is the variation in groundwater policy among the states that share the Ogallala aquifer. These different policies are responsible for managing the waters of the Ogallala.
The states in interest are Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. At one point, these states borders are within a 40 mile radius sitting right on top of the Ogallala aquifer. Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado have set conservative water laws set to conserve Ogallala water while Texas and Oklahoma promote the unsustainable with drawl of Ogallala water. The proximity of these states with either liberal or conservative water with drawl laws is very disturbing and creates negative externalities. This is because Texas and Oklahoma water laws can have negative impacts on its neighbors that are trying to conserve Ogallala water.
There have yet to be lawsuits regarding water with drawl between Ogallala states but with continued drought and climate change, different laws between states could cause conflict in the future. A solution would be establishing an interstate groundwater compact with groundwater management districts in the different states that share this aquifer. With climate change and a questionable future climates, many countries have revamped their groundwater laws. Examples include Australia’s national Water Initiative (http://nwc.gov.au/reform/assessing/biennial/the-national-water-initiative-securing-australias-water-future-2011-assessment and The European Union’s water Framework Directive. (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/groundwater/policy/current_framework/new_directive_en.htm).
Groundwater management in the Ogallala is not the best example of excellence in western water management. Water law was developed primarily to protect the private rights holder. There has been an uneasy fit between the successful establishment and protection of private rights and long term public interest. The management concerns today are much broader than those raised by individual permit holders. The biggest concern is the variation in groundwater policy among the states that share the Ogallala aquifer. These different policies are responsible for managing the waters of the Ogallala.
The states in interest are Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. At one point, these states borders are within a 40 mile radius sitting right on top of the Ogallala aquifer. Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado have set conservative water laws set to conserve Ogallala water while Texas and Oklahoma promote the unsustainable with drawl of Ogallala water. The proximity of these states with either liberal or conservative water with drawl laws is very disturbing and creates negative externalities. This is because Texas and Oklahoma water laws can have negative impacts on its neighbors that are trying to conserve Ogallala water.
There have yet to be lawsuits regarding water with drawl between Ogallala states but with continued drought and climate change, different laws between states could cause conflict in the future. A solution would be establishing an interstate groundwater compact with groundwater management districts in the different states that share this aquifer. With climate change and a questionable future climates, many countries have revamped their groundwater laws. Examples include Australia’s national Water Initiative (http://nwc.gov.au/reform/assessing/biennial/the-national-water-initiative-securing-australias-water-future-2011-assessment and The European Union’s water Framework Directive. (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/groundwater/policy/current_framework/new_directive_en.htm).
State and Local Conservation Efforts
The rates of recharge, general conditions, and intensity of use of the Ogallala aquifer varies greatly from location to location. Because of this, conservation efforts and policy actions are variable across the High Plains region. For instance, states like Texas have much more reason for concern than Nebraska (Wilhite, n.d.). In the future, more collaborative efforts may be taken to develop conservation plans that can be applied to larger regions and across state boundaries. One of the more pro-active states in developing policy to conserve the Ogallala aquifer is Kansas. In 2012, the governor of Kansas signed two bills into law to conserve the Ogallala aquifer. "House Bill 2451 eliminates the state’s “use it or lose it” water policy and gives landowners incentive to conserve water because they won’t feel that they must use their maximum amount of water when they don’t need to just so they don’t lose water rights", and "Senate Bill 272 amends multi-year flex accounts to expand irrigators’ capabilities and options so they can manage their crop water without increasing long-term water use under their water right" (Jones-Sontag, 2011). In addition, in 2011, Senate Bill 310 was passed which "establishes a process through groundwater management districts that allows local communities of producers to collectively decide their future by initiating the implementation of conservation plans that meet their local goals" (Jones-Sontag, 2012). Although, currently Kansas is one of the more active states, local and state level conservation efforts are expected to increase especially as continued depletion results in increasingly dire situations.
The rates of recharge, general conditions, and intensity of use of the Ogallala aquifer varies greatly from location to location. Because of this, conservation efforts and policy actions are variable across the High Plains region. For instance, states like Texas have much more reason for concern than Nebraska (Wilhite, n.d.). In the future, more collaborative efforts may be taken to develop conservation plans that can be applied to larger regions and across state boundaries. One of the more pro-active states in developing policy to conserve the Ogallala aquifer is Kansas. In 2012, the governor of Kansas signed two bills into law to conserve the Ogallala aquifer. "House Bill 2451 eliminates the state’s “use it or lose it” water policy and gives landowners incentive to conserve water because they won’t feel that they must use their maximum amount of water when they don’t need to just so they don’t lose water rights", and "Senate Bill 272 amends multi-year flex accounts to expand irrigators’ capabilities and options so they can manage their crop water without increasing long-term water use under their water right" (Jones-Sontag, 2011). In addition, in 2011, Senate Bill 310 was passed which "establishes a process through groundwater management districts that allows local communities of producers to collectively decide their future by initiating the implementation of conservation plans that meet their local goals" (Jones-Sontag, 2012). Although, currently Kansas is one of the more active states, local and state level conservation efforts are expected to increase especially as continued depletion results in increasingly dire situations.
Legislature Supporting Entrepreneurs
Humans are an incredible species that have adapted to be creative and use an increasingly powerful mind to solve tough problems. Over history, depending on the era and societal structures, creativity and freedom to innovate has ranged from stifling to supportive. One positive attribute of the United States government and economic system of capitalism is the peoples’ opportunity to create businesses that they are passionate about as long as there is a demand in the market. The current demand in the High Plains region for alternative growing methods and water conservation techniques is prompting the emergence of new revolutionary businesses. The following paragraphs examine the current policies aiming to promote business in the High Plains.
The most challenging obstacle for any emerging business is typically sufficient capital to begin operations. An entrepreneur may have great ideas and ideals, but unfortunately rent and materials can only be paid in monetary units. Recently, legislators of numerous states across the country, including some of the High Plains states, have created incentives for aspiring entrepreneurs. Programs such as The Nebraska Angel Investment Tax Credit Act, Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund, Kansas Economic Development Act, and Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade all provide some form of tax incentive or benefit for people to invest in their state and local businesses (Senator Danielle Conrad, et al). This form of investing has the potential to support existing businesses and emerging ones as it provides tax breaks and raises start-up funds.
Another hurdle for aspiring entrepreneurs is a lack of knowledge and/or skills to create a viable business. In response to this hardship many states have created programs to provide people with consultation, education, and networking opportunities. Programs of this nature in the High Plains include: The Oklahoma Venture Forum, Network Kansas, Small Business Association Centers, and Small Business Development Centers of Colorado (Senator Danielle Conrad, et al). Often, through government assistance, the organizations listed above provide these valuable courses and connections for free or a nominal fee. With proper assistance, businesses will be more successful and hopefully provide innovative products and/or services to combat the water issues of the High Plains
As one can see from the “stakeholders” page, there are imaginative people out there creating techniques for mitigating water consumption. With progressive legislature, these states can support the formation of pertinent businesses through fiscal and pedagogic assistance. Unfortunately, I’m still not sure if small farm businesses would be able to compete with the subsidized industrial agriculture endemic to the region. So, as we move forward with our support of innovation and small business, we should also think about ways to calculate the real costs of big agriculture.
Humans are an incredible species that have adapted to be creative and use an increasingly powerful mind to solve tough problems. Over history, depending on the era and societal structures, creativity and freedom to innovate has ranged from stifling to supportive. One positive attribute of the United States government and economic system of capitalism is the peoples’ opportunity to create businesses that they are passionate about as long as there is a demand in the market. The current demand in the High Plains region for alternative growing methods and water conservation techniques is prompting the emergence of new revolutionary businesses. The following paragraphs examine the current policies aiming to promote business in the High Plains.
The most challenging obstacle for any emerging business is typically sufficient capital to begin operations. An entrepreneur may have great ideas and ideals, but unfortunately rent and materials can only be paid in monetary units. Recently, legislators of numerous states across the country, including some of the High Plains states, have created incentives for aspiring entrepreneurs. Programs such as The Nebraska Angel Investment Tax Credit Act, Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund, Kansas Economic Development Act, and Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade all provide some form of tax incentive or benefit for people to invest in their state and local businesses (Senator Danielle Conrad, et al). This form of investing has the potential to support existing businesses and emerging ones as it provides tax breaks and raises start-up funds.
Another hurdle for aspiring entrepreneurs is a lack of knowledge and/or skills to create a viable business. In response to this hardship many states have created programs to provide people with consultation, education, and networking opportunities. Programs of this nature in the High Plains include: The Oklahoma Venture Forum, Network Kansas, Small Business Association Centers, and Small Business Development Centers of Colorado (Senator Danielle Conrad, et al). Often, through government assistance, the organizations listed above provide these valuable courses and connections for free or a nominal fee. With proper assistance, businesses will be more successful and hopefully provide innovative products and/or services to combat the water issues of the High Plains
As one can see from the “stakeholders” page, there are imaginative people out there creating techniques for mitigating water consumption. With progressive legislature, these states can support the formation of pertinent businesses through fiscal and pedagogic assistance. Unfortunately, I’m still not sure if small farm businesses would be able to compete with the subsidized industrial agriculture endemic to the region. So, as we move forward with our support of innovation and small business, we should also think about ways to calculate the real costs of big agriculture.