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Show NEBRASKA 361 permit is sought, the known ground water supply, and the effect on such supply and the surrounding land.148 Similarly, a minimum spacing requirement of 1,000 feet is specified between irrigation or industrial wells and municipal wells, except that a special permit may be granted by the Director for the location of wells within less than this minimum space.149 In acting on such special permit applications, he shall consider the facts offered as justification, the known ground water supply, and such other pertinent information as may be available.150 The statutes also provided for the creation of ground water conservation districts,151 the boards of directors of which are authorized to gather and disseminate information concerning ground water, and adopt rules and regula- tions for the proper conservation of ground water within the district.152 However, no new ground water conservation districts could be created after June 30, 1972. Districts not completed by July 1, 1972, shall be null and void. All such districts validly created before July 1, 1972, shall continue to function under the provisions of sections 46-614 to 46-634.153 In 1969, the Nebraska Legislature provided for the creation of natural resource districts for purposes of consolidating the functions previously performed by various special purpose districts and boards; and it "encouraged" other special purpose districts, including ground water conservation districts, to cooperate with and, where appropriate, to merge with natural resource districts.154 The legislation declares that the purposes of the natural resource districts shall be to develop and execute, under this legislation, plans, facilities, works, and programs relating to, among other things, "development, manage- ment, utilization and conservation of ground water and surface water***."155 Included among the numerous powers granted to these districts are the powers to (1) acquire and dispose of water rights;156 (2) acquire, construct, operate and maintain ground water storage areas; and (3) promulgate and administer regulations relating to ground water.157 Whenever the board of directors of a natural resource district determines that regulations are necessary to ensure the proper conservation of ground water within the district, it shall consult with the State Department of Water Resources, the Conservation and Survey Division of the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Commission and ground 148Id. §46-610(2). l49Id. §§46-651 to -655. 150Id. §46-653. 151 Id. §§46-614 to -634. 152Id. §46-629. ls3Id. §46-614.01. 1S4Nebr. Rev. Stat. § 2-3201 (1970). 155Id §2-3229. i56I<(. §2-3233. *"Itl §§2-3238 and-3237. |
