LINCOLN — Nebraska would have to dig into its pocketbook if it wants to take over management of the scenic Niobrara River from the National Park Service. Ohio manages three, federally designated scenic rivers and 13 other streams that have either a state scenic, wild or recreation designation. Advocates for retaining federal management of the Niobrara maintain that the State of Nebraska lacks the expertise and the funds — given its recent budget shortfalls — to take over river management. It would certainly cost more to create a new scenic rivers program from scratch than if the state had an existing one. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, called for the cancellation of the lease on the scenic river visitors center in Valentine.