Nebraska Water Issues Focus of Special on NET Television

(Lincoln, NE) – Nebraska and its citizenry face many pressing issues related to water usage. With the state confronted by a persistent drought, as well as experiencing competing water needs not only within Nebraska, but with its neighboring states; legal actions; and declines in the state's groundwater aquifer, who decides how much water there is for your drinking glass. Or, to irrigate a farmer's crops … or, how much water should be left for neighboring states?

Citizens and Nebraska state senators gather to talk about the state's future water policy on "Your Water: A By The People Special," airing Thursday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. CT, repeating Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. CT on NET1. The special will also air on NET2 on Saturday, Dec. 2, at noon CT.

Taped this past October in the NET Television studios in Lincoln, "Your Water" is an hour-long discussion presenting a cross-section of individuals from different backgrounds and interests voicing their opinions about Nebraska's water issues. Included in the group were 24 Nebraskans from a dozen different communities, ranging from farmers to store owners to students.

Nebraska state senators Gail Kopplin, District 3; LeRoy J. Louden, District 49; Chris Langemeier, District 23; and retiring senator Ed Schrock, District 38, also took part in the discussion. Moderator for "Your Water" is Mike Tobias of NET Television.

The participants received briefing materials on the major water issues prior to the program taping. Discussion topics included how Nebraska should deal with farming acres that can no longer be irrigated, whether agriculture should always get first priority on water use, and how Nebraska should make future hard choices about water policy. Anyone can obtain the informative briefing paper prepared for the program by visiting NET’s website (netNebraska.org) or requesting a copy at ByThePeople@netNebraska.org.

"Your Water: A By The People Special" is a production of NET Television for broadcast on NET1 and NET2. NET partnered on the project with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Public Policy Center and the Department of Political Science at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Funding for the program is provided in part by the National Center for Outreach and the Nebraska Humanities Council.

NET1 and NET2 are part of NET Television, which is a service of NET. For a complete television program schedule, visit NET’s Web site.

PROGRAM CONTACT: Bill Kelly, 402-472-9333, ext. 484, or e-mail at wkelly@netNebraska.org

RELEASE WRITTEN BY: Larry L. Kubert, 402-472-9333, ext. 389, or e-mail at lkubert@netNebraska.org

NET Television:
NET1 is Nebraska's first public television broadcast service and includes PBS and award-winning, locally produced public television programming; NET2 offers live coverage of the Nebraska Unicameral, Spanish language programming and other acquired or locally produced programs; NET3 is a 24-hour channel featuring the most popular how-to, travel and lifestyle series; and NET-HD presents high-definition digital broadcast programming displayed in a wide-screen format.

November 17, 2006