Crane season is winding down in Nebraska. It's hard to imagine in today's climate, but in the late '90s the federal government, Nebraska and two neighboring states all signed on to a unique idea for managing the Platte River Basin. The plan that emerged from that process has endured over the years, boosting conservation efforts and easing conflicts among stakeholders.
Now 26 years later, that novel approach has, by many accounts, proven to be a success, with an additional 10,000 acres of habitat restored and shortages in target water flows on the decline.
Wildlife habitat conservation is only one activity in the vast Platte River Basin. The water also allows for irrigation, hydropower production, municipal water supplies, economic development and recreation.
Nearly 26 years ago, the federal government, Nebraska and two neighboring states agreed to a unique idea for managing the Platte River Basin. The plan that emerged from that process has endured, boosting conservation efforts and easing conflicts.
There are few staff to monitor Nebraska’s vast swaths of farmland, thousands of cattle feedlots, large hog operations and chicken farms. And the agencies’ own regulations don’t give the staff many tools to combat malpractice.