43rd District Representative Tanya Storer has co-sponsored a Legislative Resolution concerning the Scenic Niobrara River. The purpose of this resolution is to propose an interim study to examine the process for and feasibility of the State of Nebraska assuming the administration of the seventy-six mile stretch of the Niobrara River that has been designated as a national scenic river. Since its designation in 1991, the Niobrara National Scenic River has been administered by the National Park Service. Unlike many national park sites, the National Park Service owns very little of the land along the Niobrara. Management of the river, including natural features and recreation, is primarily through partnerships with and facilitation of landowner stewardship efforts. The interim study shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Administration of national scenic rivers by other states; (2) The process needed to transfer the administration of the Niobrara National Scenic River from the National Park Service to the State of Nebraska; (3) Rules and regulations in place or necessary to protect or administer the Niobrara River; (4) The current status of the water supply of the basin to determine whether the water will remain at a level necessary to support the needs of the users, including any studies, management plans, or water rights obtained that impact river flow; and (5) The role of state departments, the Game and Parks Commission, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, and Rock counties, the Niobrara Council, and the affected natural resources districts in the future administration of the Niobrara River.
The Natural Resources Committee will conduct the interim study and make a report of its findings, together with its recommendations, to the Legislative Council or Legislature.