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house Bill H.R. 404

Allowing Landowners in Western Nebraska to Prepay Irrigation Project Costs

Argument in favor

Brings nearly a half million dollars in the door and affords this water district the same payment options as those around it.

RedPiano1's Opinion
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06/03/2015
Are we 101% sure that their prepayments go directly to this project and not snatched up somewhere else like defense or "black budget" areas? How much would the difference be if (a) the project was completed on time and (b) the money was carefully invested to grow some income over the remaining construction of the project. It's no different than investing in a college fund for a child only in this case the "child" is the Great State of Nebraska.
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PacificCstar's Opinion
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06/04/2015
This is fair. Land owners shouldn't have this huge bill hanging over their head.
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zaphod6's Opinion
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06/03/2015
And when they find out that the frackers have used all the water, let's make sure to they can't sue.
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Argument opposed

Lower payments mean the difference is being made up somewhere--are taxpayers footing the difference?

Leon's Opinion
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01/23/2016
How large are these landowners/farmers? If they are big corporate farm corporations then things need to change so the only family farms get the best deal.
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Rita 's Opinion
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03/17/2016
No. There pre pay will disappear just like border fence money and SS.
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B.R.'s Opinion
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04/26/2016
Not until the bill explains who is going to make up the difference.
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What is House Bill H.R. 404?

This bill would authorize 25 individual landowners who get their water through the Northport Irrigation District in western Nebraska to prepay the remaining portion of construction costs for the North Platte Project. Currently, the irrigation district owes a little under a million bucks ($924,000) to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation — no payments are being made now, and it is unlikely that any will be made in the next couple years. Prepayment would allow these landowners to pay a lower, total amount. 

The North Platte Project extends 111 miles along the North Platte River Valley from Guernsey, Wyoming to Bridgeport, Nebraska and includes nine dams, a pumping plant and a power plant, in addition to canals and drains. The project offers full service irrigation for about 226,000 acres and supplemental irrigation service to another 109,000 acres.

Impact

The bill impacts payment for irrigation services in western Nebraska.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 404

The CBO states that "based on information from the district, about half of those landowners are expected to [prepay] under the bill. CBO estimates that those payments would increase offsetting receipts (which are treated as reductions in direct spending) to the federal government by $440,000 over the 2016-2025 period."

More Information

Media:

Official Title

To authorize early repayment of obligations to the Bureau of Reclamation within the Northport Irrigation District in the State of Nebraska.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • The house Passed June 1st, 2015
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Water, Oceans, and Wildlife
      Committee on Natural Resources
    IntroducedJanuary 16th, 2015
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