Midlands Voices: Let's go for the green on Platte River plan

Published Tuesday
February 21, 2006

BY DAVE SANDS

The writer, of Lincoln, is executive director of the Nebraska Land Trust.

When it comes to the proposal for a giant reservoir on the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln, a Feb. 9 editorial made two excellent points.

For one, the editorial pointed out that "the need was how to maximize the Omaha area's quality-of-life appeal in the face of a highly competitive economic environment." And it concluded by stating that "the proper step now should be to ask: What paths can we pursue to best position the Omaha region for the future?"

Regardless of one's opinion on the lake proposal, the editorial did help to focus attention on the future of the lower Platte River, which is a good thing.

Since the river bisects a region that is projected to have 2 million people by the year 2050, now is the time to discuss the river's future. How do we want to pass this resource on to our children? How can we use it to stimulate economic growth? I submit that a good answer to both questions is an attractive green corridor, with many opportunities for public enjoyment and use.

The lower Platte is already of critical importance to Nebraskans. It provides a vital source of drinking water for nearly half of the state's population. For those who work and live in the valley, it provides a livelihood and a way of life. To many, it is a magnet for a wide range of outdoor activities. The valley is also an important part of our human heritage, with several significant historic sites.

There is a long list of natural assets as well, including an eastern hardwood forest at the western edge of its range and rare remnants of tallgrass prairie. It is the most important east-west wildlife corridor in eastern Nebraska, with a valuable fishery and habitat used by four threatened or endangered species. The valley offers some of the most enchanting scenic views in the state as well.

The good news is that protection of these assets and economic development is not mutually exclusive. It can even be complementary.

Eugene T. Mahoney was one of the first to see this potential, and his namesake park on the Platte has become one of the most popular outdoor destinations in eastern Nebraska. Likewise, the Henry Doorly Wildlife Safari and Quarry Oaks Golf Course have become significant attractions that complement the valley's natural character while contributing to the economy.

In other words, as we look for ways to maximize quality-of-life appeal, we should consider what we already have. This was the idea behind "Back to the River," Omaha's successful redevelopment of its riverfront.

Perhaps it would be advantageous for Omaha to be known as "River City," because it is bordered on three sides by two legendary American rivers, with multiple opportunities for hiking, bicycling, fishing, hunting, golfing, camping, boating, swimming and more. If so, then economic development would best be served by preservation of those areas that are at the heart of the Platte Valley's natural beauty and ecological health.

This is easier said than done, and it is one reason the Nebraska Land Trust was formed in 2001: to protect significant natural and historical resources as growth in the valley occurs.

In a largely private landscape like the lower Platte Valley, voluntary land preservation agreements are an excellent tool for the conservation of these resources on private land. Known as conservation easements, we have used this tool to permanently protect 1,057 acres in the lower Platte River corridor to date.

This protection was accomplished thanks to generous landowners who were willing to donate their development rights. However, for many landowners, a donation is not economically feasible.

In this regard, it would help to have local or state incentives that could make the donation of conservation easements more attractive, such as the transferable state tax credits currently proposed in State Sen. Chris Beutler's Legislative Bill 997. New funding sources for the purchase of conservation easements would be helpful as well.

When development is planned for the valley, another strategy is to encourage conservation developments. These developments are designed to preserve sensitive natural areas while allowing for development on less sensitive land.

In fact, this concept is central to parts of the Douglas County Draft Comprehensive Plan Revision, especially when it comes to protecting natural areas along the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers. Sarpy County is looking at this concept as well, in order to protect the rugged bluffs overlooking the Platte near Schramm Park.

So how can we maximize quality-of-life appeal to better position our region for the future? When it comes to the Platte Valley, we should not ignore the considerable natural attractions already in place.

Can we use these natural assets to promote economic development while preserving them at the same time? The valley's economic and ecological health may depend on it.

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