Billions of dollars of water development are at stake as Colorado and Nebraska battle for control of more South Platter River water.
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts last week announced a plan to spend $500 million on a canal and reservoir project to "ensure Nebraska's continued access to South Platte River water flowing into the state from Colorado," reports Don Walton for the Hastings Tribune.
A message from Gov. Ricketts, sent on January 11, explains more of the reasoning behind the project, premised primarily over concerns about the state of Colorado's plans for "300 projects and over $10 billion of expenditures to ensure no 'excess' water leaves its state."
Saying that Colorado's plans threaten to "choke off the flow of water into Nebraska," the governor cites the South Platte River Compact as justification for his plans to build a new canal to the South Platte.
But as reported by the Associated Press, the governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, sees Nebraska's plans as a threat to Colorado's water, and has promised to "protect and aggressively assert Colorado’s rights under all existing water compacts."
FULL STORY: Ricketts will seek $500 million Platte River canal system appropriation now
A Development Showdown Over Water in Rural Arizona
The battle for the future of Colorado River water, and whether it will be used for agriculture or new development, continues in Arizona.
Legislation Would Prevent Rural-to-Urban Water Transfers in Arizona
A plan to sell water intended for agricultural uses to help fuel the development of a city on the edge of the Phoenix metropolitan area has inspired new state legislation.
Op-Ed: Implications for Phoenix as Lake Mead Runs Dry
Metro Phoenix has a lot to think about as Lake Mead water shortages become ever more likely. A three-state drought contingency plan may only be a temporary fix for a problem that'll divide cities and stakeholders.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)