An arbitrator appointed to resolve a three-way fight between Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska over the Republican River rejected most of Nebraska’s claims in a decision released Wednesday.
In the non-binding decision, Abritrator Karl Dreher recommended that Nebraska pay Kansas $10,000 in damages for overusing its portion of the river’s water and rejected Nebraska’s proposed changes to the way water allocations are calculated.
The three states began arbitration eight months ago to resolve their disputes about Nebraska’s failure to comply with a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court settlement over the Republican River Compact.
The states do not have to accept Dreher’s decision, and instead can take their issues to the U.S. Supreme Court in the next 30 days.
Claire Trageser: 303-954-1638 or ctrageser@denverpost.com
