Water Final SDM Steps and Review- here

Name: ____Taylor Kruse_____________ Team: _____Alpha__________ LA: ________ SCIL 101 Water Conservation in Bluestem NRD Final SDM Steps Due: Oct 30 th by midnight uploaded to Canvas (42 points) STUDENT WORK GOES HERE (IN COLORED BOXES): Define the issue: Nebraska has vast water resources. How do we create water policy and management strategies to ensure that water resources are available in the future? Remember the “decision” you are making is an individual decision that directly impacts Bluestem NRD (Natural Resource District), and thus has a societal impact on the communities within the NRD. Consider this issue from the perspective of a resident in Bluestem NRD, as if you are making a decision such as: 1) if you were to give money to support a cause related to water conservation in Bluestem NRD, or 2) if you were to vote on a policy regarding water use in Bluestem NRD, or 3) if you were to write a letter to a legislator about water conservation in Bluestem NRD. In the table below you will replace the text in the colored boxes with your objective weights ( #2, in red ), performance scores and explanations, ( #4, in purple ) weighted performance scores ( #5, in blue ), and total weighted performance scores ( #5, in green ) (see the Rubrics and Instructions file). Alternati ves Objectiv es No new restrictions, educational resources, collective action (Do not implement restrictions on water use through policy. Increase funding for Extension efforts and other educational programs, and allow farmers to collectively determine their own water use.) More and/or stricter water restrictions (Implement water allocations with flow meters on wells required and monitored. Implement a fine for exceeding allocations.) Engineer the location and availability of water resources (Fund managed aquifer recharge. In other words, use canal and dam systems to store water as surface water and groundwater banking.) Encourage efficient water use via new technology (subsidies through the NRD, funded by tax-payers and state grants, for farmers to install technologies such as variable rate irrigation, drop- nozzle hoses (low energy precision application (LEPA)) and soil moisture sensors.) Performance score: Performa nce score x objective weight: Performanc e score: Performa nce score x objective weight: Performa nce score: Performa nce score x objective weight: Performanc e score: Performa nce score x objective weight: Water is conserved for future use *** I gave it this score because it supports education and collective efforts, which can contribute to better water conservation practices in the 1.2 *** This is directly enforcing water restriction s, which can lead to water conservat ion 1.2 **** This can help to ensure water is stored for future use effective ly. 1.6 **** This helps to have long-term water conservat ion through more efficient use in 1.6 Type a weight into this cell 0.4 ALTERNATIVES OBJECTIVES

long term. dependin g on complianc e. agricultur e. Farmers remain economicall y profitable *** Helps farmers make efficient use of water without imposing strict restrictions,suppo rting their economic profitability. 0.9 ** it may put economic pressure on farmers through stricter regulation s 0.6 *** ensures that water is available 0.9 **** can help the efficiency of farming operation s because of water- saving tech. 1.2 Type a weight into this cell 0.3 There is sufficient water for household use * 0.2 *** 0.6 ** 0.4 ** 0.4 Type a weight into this cell 0.2 Wildlife have water and habitat ** 0.2 * 0.1 *** 0.3 * 0.1 Type a weight into this cell 0.1 Total weighted performance score: 2.5 2.5 3.2 3.3 6. Choice: A) Choose an Alternative based on the analysis undertaken. Encourage efficient water use via new technology B) Why do you think this is the best alternative? Based off of the overall score it got the highest. I think that it can defiantly help preserve water a bit better than the other options. C) What are the tradeoffs (positive and negative aspects) associated with the alternative you chose? The big negative for this is the cost, it is pretty expensive compared to the other alternatives. 7. Review (Reflect on your own decision-making process using these steps): A) Who are the stakeholders who are the “winners” and “losers” if this alternative is implemented?

No new restrictions, educational resources, collective action (Do not implement restrictions on water use through policy. Increase funding for Extension efforts and other educational programs, and allow farmers to collectively determine their own water use.) X More and/or stricter water restrictions (Implement water allocations with flow meters on wells required and monitored. Implement a fine for exceeding allocations.) X Engineer the location and availability of water resources (Fund managed aquifer recharge. In other words, use canal and dam systems to store water as surface water and groundwater banking.) X Encourage efficient water use via new technology (subsidies through the NRD, funded by tax- payers and state grants, for farmers to install technologies such as variable rate irrigation, drop- nozzle hoses (low energy precision application (LEPA)) and soil moisture sensors.) X 9. Importance of issue – Is this issue an important issue? Rank the issue on a scale of 1 (not at all important) to 10 (one of the most important issues): 7 Why? I think that this is a pretty big issues that impacts a lot of people as well as animals and their habitats and it will continue to become a more and more serious issue if it doesn’t get fixed sooner. 10. Your Communities – Are there any communities that you are a part of that are impacted by water use, agricultural irrigation, or related topics? What community? How is it impacted? I live in Nebraska which has a lot of agriculture being affected, but I personally haven’t noticed anything myself.

11. Your Impact – Is there anything you could do to impact this issue? What are some things you could do? Yes, I could talk to people about It and show them the importance of it and talk to by sorority. 12. Your Actions – What did you learn in this class (either skills or knowledge) that you think could be useful to you when acting on the water conservation issue? How is what you learned useful? I have learned the different water sources as I didn’t really before. I also now know the different ways it can be fixed and things it affects. After you have filled everything out according to the instructions, save this as a Word document with your first and last name in the file extension , then upload this document to Canvas.