LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is taking another step toward building a canal that would divert water out of neighboring Colorado under a 99-year-old compact, a project based in fears about the Denver area's growing use of the South Platte River that runs through both states.
State lawmakers gave initial approval to a bill that would allow Nebraska's Department of Natural Resources to lay the groundwork for the estimated $500 million canal.
The measure advanced, 36-3, through the first of three required votes in the Legislature despite skepticism from some lawmakers about whether the canal is necessary.
READ MORE: Colorado to 'aggressively assert' water rights with Nebraska
Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the plan in January to invoke Nebraska's right to build the canal under a water-sharing agreement between the states.
