(AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker says he fears more lawsuits will be filed if the state tries to limit groundwater irrigation near the Republican River.

The state has cited drought conditions in requiring extra conservation measures by irrigation districts using surface water and natural resources districts that manage groundwater supplies.

State Sen. Mark Christensen, of Imperial, said more lawsuits “appear pretty likely” if the state limits groundwater irrigation.

The state already has been sued by Kansas over use of the Republican River. A 1943 agreement allocates 49 percent of the water to Nebraska, 40 percent to Kansas and 11 percent to Colorado.

Another lawsuit filed by two groups of irrigators is challenging a plan to pump groundwater into the river to comply with the compact.