§ 46-613.01. Ground water; transfer to another state; permit; Chief Water Officer; issuance; conditions.

The Legislature recognizes and declares that the maintenance of an adequate source of ground water within this state is essential to the social stability of the state and the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens and that reasonable restrictions on the transportation of ground water from this state are a proper exercise of the police powers of the state. The need for such restrictions, which protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this state, is hereby declared a matter of legislative determination. Any person, firm, city, village, municipal corporation, or other entity intending to withdraw ground water from any water well located in the State of Nebraska and transport it for use in another state shall apply to the Chief Water Officer for a permit to do so. In determining whether to grant or deny such permit, the Chief Water Officer shall consider: (1) The nature of the proposed use and whether it is a beneficial use of ground water; (2) The availability to the applicant of alternative sources of surface or ground water; (3) Any negative effect of the proposed withdrawal on ground water supplies needed to meet present or reasonable future demands for water in the area of the proposed withdrawal, to comply with any interstate compact or decree, or to fulfill the provisions of any other formal state contract or agreement; (4) Any negative effect of the proposed withdrawal on surface water supplies needed to meet present or reasonable future demands within the state, to comply with any interstate compact or decree, or to fulfill the provisions of any other formal state contract or agreement; (5) Any adverse environmental effect of the proposed withdrawal or transportation of ground water; (6) The cumulative effect of the proposed withdrawal and transfer relative to the matters listed in subdivisions (3) through (7) of this section when considered in conjunction with all other transfers subject to this section; and (7) Any other factors consistent with the purposes of this section that the Chief Water Officer deems relevant to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the state and its citizens. Issuance of a permit shall be conditioned on the applicant's compliance with the rules and regulations of the natural resources district from which the water is to be withdrawn. The applicant shall be required to provide access to his or her property at reasonable times for purposes of inspection by officials of the district or the Chief Water Officer or the Chief Water Officer's representatives. The Chief Water Officer may include such reasonable conditions on the proposed use as he or she deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. History: Laws 1967, c. 281, § 5, p. 761; Laws 1969, c. 9, § 69, p. 144; Laws 1984, LB 1060, § 1; Laws 1993, LB 131, § 11; Laws 2000, LB 900, § 174; Laws 2003, LB 619, § 7; Laws 2025, LB317, § 175.