Regional News
State wants to rule on Niobrara water dispute
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) _ A dispute over water in northern Nebraska began in 2007. That's when the state Department of Natural Resources ordered hundreds of farmers and ranchers to shut off their surface water and groundwater irrigation pumps because the Nebraska Public Power District wanted to exercise its water rights. Irrigators asked for a hearing to determine whether the order was properly issued. But the department refused to hold a hearing, saying the irrigators already had chosen a different route _ through Boyd County District Court _ to secure their water rights for the next 20 years. The decision not to rule was a mistake, the department now says in Nebraska Supreme Court briefs asking the judges to return the matter to them. The court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case on Wednesday.

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