Does the way we manage
water change as needs change?
By Robert Hearne, Associate Professor | NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics
North Dakota’s principle water resources are shared through interstate and international waterways. We are familiar with the vagaries of wet- and dry-year water cycles and the importance of infrastructure to help us manage these water resources.
The rules for managing water often are complex and subject to court cases. These disputes are reminiscwent of the famous quote often attributed to Mark Twain: “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting over.”
Part of my research program is to assess how the rules for managing water have changed as the demands for the use of water have changed. This is what economists call institutional evolution. As society’s needs for water change, the rules for managing water also should evolve to accommodate changing demands.
This past year, I have investigated the rules and institutions that have managed the Missouri River. The Missouri River is the nation’s longest river and is unique because it flows from the predominantly arid western states to the relatively moist central states. Because the Missouri is a navigable river, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has authority to manage water flows, which it accomplishes through releases from the series of six large dams and reservoirs on the river. These include North Dakota’s Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea, the nation’s third largest constructed reservoir.
Through its control of these dams and reservoir storage, the Corps has retained the role of de-facto river master. The Corps’ management of the river has been necessary due to the inability of political processes to form alternative management structures such as a Missouri River Authority or a Missouri River Compact. In short, the states have not been able to agree to a management system; therefore, the federal government must manage the river.
Historically, the Corps has maintained the need to manage the Missouri River for its legislatively mandated priorities of flood control and navigation. The priority given to maintain water flows to ensure a deep and wide navigation channel between Sioux City, Iowa, and the Mississippi River has been maintained, despite the very low volume of barge traffic using the channel. And the value of the water for recreation and habitat maintenance in Lake Sakakawea and other upper basin reservoirs is substantially greater than the value of the same water supporting downstream navigation.
However, in the last few years, the Corps has revised its priorities and its reservoir management to incorporate ecosystem protection as mandated by the Endangered Species Act. With its embrace of adaptive management and the need to incorporate biological variables into its management decisions, the Corps has evolved and changed with the times. These changes include a three-year rotation of annual drawdowns from the three large upper-basin reservoirs: Fort Peck Lake, Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe. This release schedule is designed to improve vegetative habitat along the reservoir banks and support recreational fishing in these reservoirs.
The Corps’ adoption of adaptive management and its embrace of the need to manage water resources to maintain ecosystem services demonstrates a gradual shift away from the early 20th century goals of providing cheap barge transportation to the more valuable goals of maintaining habitat for biodiversity and recreation.
This is called institutional evolution, but more evolution is needed. Water rights for Native American tribal lands have not been granted. Water-quality programs have not been effective. New mechanisms, technological and institutional, need to be developed to protect the regions from the increased extreme climate events that will accompany global climate change.
The use of economic incentives to allocate water efficiently should increase. Also, the Missouri River basin states need to develop a mechanism to ensure their participation in river management.
Efforts should be made to address these needs in the upcoming decades.
Starlings a Costly
Problem for Livestock Producers
Starlings can be a major problem for livestock producers in the northern Plains in the winter.
“During a year like our last one, when the weather is particularly cold and the ground is snow-covered, these birds are looking for convenient food sources,” North Dakota State University Extension Service dairy specialist J.W. Schroeder says. “Unfortunately, cattle feeding areas provide these sources.” Starlings will eat livestock feed, and defecate in feed and water and on equipment and buildings.
“These problems raise concerns about economic efficiency, animal health, and equipment and building maintenance,” Schroeder says. “If this winter proves to be extremely cold, it is likely that these starlings will be a problem for many dairy farms again this year.”
Starlings can eat 50 percent of their bodyweight in feed a day, he adds. One thousand birds easily can consume 100 pounds of grain in a day.
The birds are abundant year-round, but they often are a problem only in the winter.
Many producers have tried using shotguns, pyrotechnics or just closing barn openings, but these methods have not proven to be very effective, according to Schroeder. Hawks are natural predators of starlings, but attracting hawks to live near the dairy farm can be problematic.
The European starling, also known as the common starling, is not native to the U.S., so producers can use lethal control measures.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers baiting services for farmers. “This can be effective, but it has a significant cost,” Schroeder says.
Another option is a pesticide called Starlicide, which is available for farmers to purchase if they have a private pesticide license. This chemical comes premixed and ready to use. Schroeder recommends that producers check with their local feed cooperative or chemical suppliers for prices and availability of the product in their area.
“Before you use this chemical, make sure that no protected birds will have access to the bait because it will kill most types of birds or fowl,” Schroeder cautions. “However, the chemical does not have a significant effect on cattle or other animals around the farm.”
To use Starlicide effectively, you first need to pre-bait the birds for about a week with something palatable, such as feed grain, dog food or energy pellets. The best time to put the bait out is in the morning, when the ground is frozen or snow-covered.
“It is a good idea to notify any close neighbors of your plans so it won’t come as a surprise if they find dead birds on their property,” Schroeder advises.
Crops / Small Grains Update
program January 20th in Moorhead
You are invited to attend the Crops / Small Grains Update program at the American Legion, 303, 30th St. N., Moorhead on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
The morning session will feature presentations by Mr. Luke Swenson, Director of Marketing, The Money Farm, Fargo, ND; Dr. Phillip Glogoza, UMN Regional Extension Educator, Moorhead, MN; and Mr. Mark Peihl, Archivist, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, Moorhead, MN.
Mr. Swenson will present “Is the Bull Market Dead?” Dr. Glogoza will present “Options for Managing Soybean Cyst Nematode.” Mr. Peihl will present “Algona Branch Camp Number 1: Moorhead’s World War 2 German Prisoner of War Camp.” The morning session was organized by the Clay County Crop Improvement Association.
The afternoon session will feature Dr. Jim Anderson, U of M Spring Wheat Breeder, St. Paul, MN; Mr. Tim Osowski, Farmer, Argyle, MN; Dr. Joel Ransom, Small Grains and Corn Agronomist, NDSU Extension Service, Fargo, ND; Mr. Joe Smentek, Director of Environmental Affairs, Minnesota Soybean, Mankato, MN; Dr. George Rehm, Coordinator, Discovery Farms Minnesota; and Dr. Frayne Olson, Crop Economist, NDSU, Fargo, ND. The full agenda can be found at http://z.umn.edu/2015cropsupdate
Attendance is free, refreshments will be provided for the morning and afternoon sessions and a complimentary lunch will be served around noon. Morning refreshments will be available starting at 8:30 a.m.
Questions about this event should be directed to Randy Nelson, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, Clay County, at 218-299-7338, 1-800-299-5020 or email nels1657@umn.edu