Andrew sees changes to Auburn wellhead protection as government overreach

Update: This story has been revised to indicate that the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources issues surface water permits for agricultural purposes.

AUBURN - Jane Andrew of Auburn provided the city council Monday with some of her research in opposition to changes to the wellhead protection ordinance that would empower the utility board to regulate surface water.

Andrew provided a list of at least 420 people that live in the wellhead protection area’s rural boundaries.

Andrew: “For 170 years since Auburn was founded, the town has supported the agriculture and the agriculture has supported the town.”

“… over all these years there has never been a groundwater etc. incident in the ag community. We feel we’re being treated almost like criminals by the overreach of the government.”

She said the farmers do not want to ruin the water supply.

Andrew: “We’re not out there to hurt you guys because we all live here. If it’s not us it’s our family it’s our friends.”

Andrew said a groundwater well was denied in 2019, so a surface water permit was obtained from the state Department of Natural Resources.

She claims that action has prompted the current proposed amendment to require board of public works approval for surface water use. She contends the proposed amendment grants too much authority to the utility manager.

Andrew: “It removes any city council authority, making Dave Hunter the judge, the juror and the executioner alone.”

Andrew also expects professional studies and legal counsel to exceed $300,000 from public funds. She asked the city council Monday to bring the expenses to an end.

Andrew: “I’m going to ask the city council to consider, stop drinking Dave Hunter’s Kool­-Aid. It just does not make sense and it’s not good for the city and it’s not good for the agricultural community.”

Proponents for the amendment say Auburn needs to regulate surface water to maximize the reliability of the city's wellfield.