Nebraska senators hear bill to give state more options for water recreation projects

By Brian Beach , Reporter Nebraska Public Media

19 de Febrero de 2025 a las 17:30 ·

Families enjoy Lake McConaughy prior to the holiday weekend. (Photo by Bill Kelly, Nebraska Public Media News)

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Gov. Jim Pillen’s proposed state budget includes cuts to water recreation projects the Legislature approved during past sessions, but new legislation would allow for smaller projects at Nebraska’s state parks and recreation areas.

Current law only allows money in the Water Recreation Enhancement Fund to be spent on marina construction projects at Lewis and Clark Lake and Lake McConaughy and a lodge at Niobrara State Park. With the rising projected cost of those projects, LB480, introduced by Sen. Barry DeKay, would allow smaller changes to take place at these locations.

“We are being as economically feasible as we can to enhance tourism and economic development in all three of these projects in northeast Nebraska and out in western Nebraska," he said at a Natural Resources Committee hearing Wednesday. "I think there's definitely a path forward, and I'm willing to pursue it to the end.”

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission deputy director Jim Swenson said there is high demand for improvements around Lewis and Clark Lake.

“If you drive up that landscape anytime here recently, you notice that there are storage buildings being constructed, new campgrounds," he said. "Folks are banking on the fact that this project is going to come to reality."

DeKay said a new visitor center at Niobrara State Park and road improvements at Lake McConaughy are being considered if the bill passes.