LINCOLN — A bill that would allow lakefront cabin areas to remain on two reservoirs in southwestern Nebraska is threatened by last-minute opposition from outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and a small group of other lawmakers. are.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), the bill’s lead sponsor on behalf of cabin owners along Swanson and Red Willow reservoirs, told Manchin on Wednesday that he would like to see more federal action. Pressured to reconsider her opposition to the bill. land.
Fisher said her portion of the bill had broad support in the Senate and passed the House with a unanimous vote.
She said her proposal was being unfairly framed as “political exploitation of an unrelated issue.”
“This is truly outrageous,” the Nebraska senator said. “My bill can’t wait.”
That’s because, if the bill isn’t passed, owners of two cabins along the reservoir will have to vacate their land in February, she said.
A request for response from Mr. Manchin’s office was not immediately returned Friday.
But the Examiner learned that Mr. Manchin later dropped his opposition, even though Mr. Fisher’s efforts to pass a standalone bill on cabin development were resisted by another group of lawmakers.
The U.S. Senate will adjourn for the year on Friday, Dec. 20, so it’s unclear whether Fisher’s bill will be passed in time to avoid disruption to cabin development.
Manchin, a former West Virginia governor, declined reelection this year after serving in the Senate since 2010.
The cabin controversy, first reported by the Examiner, concerns the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s management of two reservoirs and the agency’s plans to remove cabins to make way for campground improvements.
Swanson Reservoir near Trenton has 110 cabins and Red Willow north of McCook has 71 cabins, with concession business on both lakes. All of these are located on land currently managed by the Secretariat.
A bill has been introduced that would allow lakefront cabins to remain on two reservoirs in southwestern Nebraska.
Cabin owners in the area and county officials opposed the removal order, which was originally scheduled to take effect in November 2025. They argued that some families have enjoyed lakeside cabins for decades and that the two cabin areas are important economic contributors. to rural Hitchcock and Red Willow counties;
Under a bill filed in the Senate by Fisher and Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and in the House by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), management of the two cabin developments would be transferred to Hitchcock County. and will be transferred to Frontier County. They will manage two areas and profit from lease payments from cabin owners and fees paid by concessionaires.
Fisher said he received letters from more than 1,000 local residents in support of the land transfer, and said the two cabin sites in one of the largest communities in both counties should be allowed to remain.
Hitchcock County Commissioner Paul Nichols said local residents support the land transfer, which will allow the community to be “in place and operational for decades.” .
