Registration fee will include the following:

Monday, June 11^th:  Lunch, choice of air boat tour or driving conservation tour, snacks, beverages, evening group dinner, and lodging.

Tuesday, June 12^th:  Breakfast at the hotel, tour, lunch, snacks and beverages.  

Registration cost per person:     

Tour #1 - Airboat tour registration - with single room occupancy - $ 438 per person.

Tour #1 - Airboat tour registration - with double room occupancy - $ 398 per person. Choose this registration to register yourself and your spouse, or if you’ll be rooming with another registered participant, $398 x 2.

Tour #2 - Driving conservation tour registration - with single room occupancy - $ 361 per person.

        Tour #2 - Driving conservation tour registration – with double room occupancy - $       321 per person.  Choose this registration to register yourself and your spouse, or if   you’ll be rooming with another registered participant, $321 x 2.

In order to guarantee a spot on the bus register by Monday, May 7th. Seating on the bus, as well as hotel rooms, is limited; register soon to guarantee a spot. Registration will cover all food, lodging and motor coach expenses. NARD will make reservations for overnight lodging on Monday as part of your tour registration.  Register prior to May 7th. Cancellations are non-refundable after May 25, 2012.

Board members and tour attendees are invited to attend lunch at the Embassy, on Monday, June 11th at 11:45 a.m. or immediately following the NARD Board of Directors meeting.

The bus will depart the Embassy Suites, 12520 Westport Pkwy, La Vista, at 12:15 p.m. (CST) Monday, June 11th.

The tour will conclude with our arrival back at the Embassy Suites around 4:00 p.m. (CST) Tuesday, June 12th.  

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Omaha-La Vista Embassy Suites, for Sunday, June 10th at a rate of $109. The reservations need to be made through the NARD office before May 7th. Contact Jeanne Dryburgh at jdryburgh@nrdnet.org or 402-471-7671 to make your reservation for Sunday, June 10th.

The decision came after analysis completed by Brown and Caldwell Engineering Consulting Firm showed that converting most of the system to groundwater recharge and converting the 100,000 acres served by the CNPPID canals in the E65 and Phelps service areas from surface water irrigation to groundwater irrigation could return the Platte River Basin below Lake McConaughy from over-appropriated to a fully appropriated status. The proposal would also allow all existing irrigated acres to maintain irrigated status, provide beneficial flows for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Programs (PRRIP), increase hydro-elected power generation and provide recreational benefits for Lake McConaughy and other lakes in the canal system. The existing canal structure would also remain, providing beneficial recharge for the area.

Proposed project benefits include:

The proposal as approved by both TPNRD and CPNRD boards of directors would offer a financial incentive payment to the landowners under the CNPPID service area to help them convert to groundwater use and a financial incentive to CNPPID for assisting them in planning and implementing the conversion use of the canals for recharge purposes. Terms of the financial incentives were not released at the joint meeting but would be discussed with the CNPPID Board. Both the TPNRD and CPNRD would welcome the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR) in the discussions to verify the benefits of conjunctive management of water on the CNPPID.

Other existing partnerships on conjunctive use water management show benefits to all users

Both districts worked with the NDNR in 2011 to take excess flows from the Platte River and provide recharge to the Platte Basin through existing irrigation canals. Agreements were reached between the NDNR, TPNRD, CPNRD and local irrigation districts to take the flows early to provide groundwater recharge, meet requirement in the PRRIP and alleviate flooding. The local irrigation districts involved in this project in the TPNRD were Suburban, Keith-Lincoln, Platte Valley, Western and Paxton - Hershey. Those in the CPNRD included Gothenburg Canal, 30 mile Canal, Cozad Ditch, Dawson County Canal, Southside Canal, and the Kearney Canal.

In addition, the CPNRD has reached agreements with three canal companies in Dawson County to undertake conjunctive use plans for those canals. All arrangements with the irrigation canals and the CPNRD were voluntary and provided positive benefits for all water users, the Platte River Recovery Implementation program, and recharge to the Platte Basin. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources has played a key role to assist the CPNRD and local irrigation districts with the agreements on conjunctive water management.

• The partnership between Central Platte NRD and Thirty Mile Canal Co. includes a purchase agreement. The CPNRD will pay about $2 million for a 1/2 interest in the irrigation district; which includes 1/2 of the irrigation district's water rights and 1/2 of the value of buildings and equipment. CPNRD will use the canals after irrigation season to hold diverted off-season excess Platte River flows, when available. Water will seep from the canals into groundwater that is hydrologically connected to the river and provide river enhancement credits for the NRD. Rehabilitation of the canals is estimated to cost about $3 million. Grants from the Platte Basin Habitat Enhancement Program (PBHEP), which involves money from Platte Basin NRDs, the Nebraska Environmental Trust and state water management fund; will pay 60 percent of project costs or $2.75 million. Thirty Mile project was constructed in 1927 and now has 52 structures, including bridges, siphons and culverts that will be replaced in the later phases.

• The Central Platte NRD and the Southside Irrigation Company, also known as the Orchard-Alfalfa canal, have entered a management-lease agreement. As part of the agreement, the CPNRD will assist in operations for all of the irrigation district's benefits, pay half of the operations and maintenance costs, and get half the revenues. The CPNRD will use the canals after irrigation season to hold diverted off-season excess Platte River flows, when available. Water will seep from the canals into groundwater that is hydrologically connected to the river and provide river enhancement credits for the NRD. Rehabilitation work is estimated to cost about $3 million. The project will be funded through the Department of Natural Resources Water cash fund (60%), Southside Irrigation Company (20%) and Central Platte NRD (20%).

• The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) is partnering with the Cozad Ditch Company to manage the canal and to lease surface water as part of its efforts to increase Platte River flows and protect endangered species. The increased flow levels are required under the three-state PRRIP and state law. The lease will divert unused surface water flows from the irrigation canal back into the Platte River. CPNRD will also utilize the canal after irrigation season to store excess Platte River flows, when available. By diverting the excess flows into the canal, water will recharge the aquifer and will filter back into the Platte River.

Similar to the proposal for CNPPID, all three agreements between the CPNRD and irrigation districts protect the local agriculture economy by allowing acres to continue to be irrigated while providing excess flows for other benefits such as recharge, the PRRIP, protect endangered species, and provide increased flows in the Platte Basin.

The NRDs protect lives, property and the future availability of water resources through a wide range of stewardship, management and education programs. Activities and projects of NRDs are reviewed and approved by a locally elected board of directors. There are 23 natural resources districts across the state. For more information visit www.nrdnet.org, www.tpnrd.org or www.cpnrd.org.

The decision came after analysis completed by Brown and Caldwell Engineering Consulting Firm showed that converting most of the system to groundwater recharge and converting the 100,000 acres served by the CNPPID canals in the E65 and Phelps service areas from surface water irrigation to groundwater irrigation could return the Platte River Basin below Lake McConaughy from over-appropriated to a fully appropriated status. The proposal would also allow all existing irrigated acres to maintain irrigated status, provide beneficial flows for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Programs (PRRIP), increase hydro-elected power generation and provide recreational benefits for Lake McConaughy and other lakes in the canal system. The existing canal structure would also remain, providing beneficial recharge for the area.

Proposed project benefits include:

The proposal as approved by both TPNRD and CPNRD boards of directors would offer a financial incentive payment to the landowners under the CNPPID service area to help them convert to groundwater use and a financial incentive to CNPPID for assisting them in planning and implementing the conversion use of the canals for recharge purposes. Terms of the financial incentives were not released at the joint meeting but would be discussed with the CNPPID Board. Both the TPNRD and CPNRD would welcome the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR) in the discussions to verify the benefits of conjunctive management of water on the CNPPID.

Other existing partnerships on conjunctive use water management show benefits to all users

Both districts worked with the NDNR in 2011 to take excess flows from the Platte River and provide recharge to the Platte Basin through existing irrigation canals. Agreements were reached between the NDNR, TPNRD, CPNRD and local irrigation districts to take the flows early to provide groundwater recharge, meet requirement in the PRRIP and alleviate flooding. The local irrigation districts involved in this project in the TPNRD were Suburban, Keith-Lincoln, Platte Valley, Western and Paxton - Hershey. Those in the CPNRD included Gothenburg Canal, 30 mile Canal, Cozad Ditch, Dawson County Canal, Southside Canal, and the Kearney Canal.

In addition, the CPNRD has reached agreements with three canal companies in Dawson County to undertake conjunctive use plans for those canals. All arrangements with the irrigation canals and the CPNRD were voluntary and provided positive benefits for all water users, the Platte River Recovery Implementation program, and recharge to the Platte Basin. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources has played a key role to assist the CPNRD and local irrigation districts with the agreements on conjunctive water management.

• The partnership between Central Platte NRD and Thirty Mile Canal Co. includes a purchase agreement. The CPNRD will pay about $2 million for a 1/2 interest in the irrigation district; which includes 1/2 of the irrigation district's water rights and 1/2 of the value of buildings and equipment. CPNRD will use the canals after irrigation season to hold diverted off-season excess Platte River flows, when available. Water will seep from the canals into groundwater that is hydrologically connected to the river and provide river enhancement credits for the NRD. Rehabilitation of the canals is estimated to cost about $3 million. Grants from the Platte Basin Habitat Enhancement Program (PBHEP), which involves money from Platte Basin NRDs, the Nebraska Environmental Trust and state water management fund; will pay 60 percent of project costs or $2.75 million. Thirty Mile project was constructed in 1927 and now has 52 structures, including bridges, siphons and culverts that will be replaced in the later phases.

• The Central Platte NRD and the Southside Irrigation Company, also known as the Orchard-Alfalfa canal, have entered a management-lease agreement. As part of the agreement, the CPNRD will assist in operations for all of the irrigation district's benefits, pay half of the operations and maintenance costs, and get half the revenues. The CPNRD will use the canals after irrigation season to hold diverted off-season excess Platte River flows, when available. Water will seep from the canals into groundwater that is hydrologically connected to the river and provide river enhancement credits for the NRD. Rehabilitation work is estimated to cost about $3 million. The project will be funded through the Department of Natural Resources Water cash fund (60%), Southside Irrigation Company (20%) and Central Platte NRD (20%).

• The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) is partnering with the Cozad Ditch Company to manage the canal and to lease surface water as part of its efforts to increase Platte River flows and protect endangered species. The increased flow levels are required under the three-state PRRIP and state law. The lease will divert unused surface water flows from the irrigation canal back into the Platte River. CPNRD will also utilize the canal after irrigation season to store excess Platte River flows, when available. By diverting the excess flows into the canal, water will recharge the aquifer and will filter back into the Platte River.

Similar to the proposal for CNPPID, all three agreements between the CPNRD and irrigation districts protect the local agriculture economy by allowing acres to continue to be irrigated while providing excess flows for other benefits such as recharge, the PRRIP, protect endangered species, and provide increased flows in the Platte Basin.

The NRDs protect lives, property and the future availability of water resources through a wide range of stewardship, management and education programs. Activities and projects of NRDs are reviewed and approved by a locally elected board of directors. There are 23 natural resources districts across the state. For more information visit www.nrdnet.org, www.tpnrd.org or www.cpnrd.org.

The NRD is also contributing $100,000, bringing total project funding over the next two years to $200,000 to encourage the use of soil-moisture probes in the District to help conserve water while maintaining and hopefully increasing yields. The grant and NRD funds will pay for 2/3 of the costs of probe equipment and/or services. The initial limit on probes is two per person. Funding is available over a two-year period and will be capped at $3,000 for probes that are purchased; $1,500 for probes that are leased.

Funds will be allocated on a first-come basis.
Because the NRD just recently learned of the grant award and irrigation season is nearly here, the initial sign-up period for the program will be relatively short. The NRD is requesting that applications for the program be submitted to the NRD no later than May 31. Applications are available on the NRD website, www.urnrd.org, and in coming days will also be available from area dealers of probes. Additional sign-up periods may be established depending on availability of funds.

The grant that the NRD has been selected by the Bureau of Reclamation to receive is one of 34 new WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency grants in 11 states. A total of 167 grant applications were submitted under the program.
If you have questions, contact the NRD in Imperial at 882-5173.

The first mile of the trail east of 84th Street was closed for most of April, while the crushed limestone trail surface was reconstructed. NRD General Manager Glenn Johnson said, "We realize the closing was an inconvenience to trail users during a busy time of year on the trails and we really appreciate their cooperation in staying off of the trail during the project." Johnson said he hopes hikers the public will plan to visit the trailhead that evening and try-out the new smooth trail surface. Bottled water will also be available for trail users and Froggy 98 will broadcast live from the trailhead during the event.

In case of rain or threatening weather, the event will be held the following evening; Thursday, May 17th.

Over the 40 years since their creation by the Nebraska Legislature, NRDs have provided strong leadership in helping educate Nebraskans of all ages about the environmental benefits of planting trees and shrubs in our rural and community landscapes. Statewide, the NRDs have provided more than 85 million tree/shrub seedlings to Nebraska landowners. Most of these seedlings were planted for landowners by local NRD employees, either by hand or by machine. Known today as the "Conservation Trees for Nebraska" program, efforts are coordinated by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) with each NRD independently managing its own conservation tree and shrub program to best benefit its local district.

The Upper Niobrara White NRD proudly provides assistance to landowners, including a seedling distribution system, planning, site preparation, planting and guidance for windbreak renovation. One might say the NRDs are a one-stop shop for conservation tree and shrub establishment. Your local NRD offers cost-share funding, and products and services that help increase seedling survival rates, including moisture-conserving weed barrier fabric and installation services.

For more information on the UNWNRD Conservation Tree Program or to order tree seedlings and shrubs, please contact Shar Sapp with the Upper Niobrara White NRD at 308.432.6190 or sapp@unwnrd.org.

In an effort to educate our youth about environmental issues and promote stewardship for our surroundings, the NRD hosts the Northwest Nebraska Conservation Festival every year. The event is open to fifth-grade students throughout the District. At the end of the event, each student was sent off with a Colorado Blue Spruce seedling and prizes from participating agencies.

For more information about the education programs available from UNWNRD, please visit unwnrd.org, or call 308-432-6190.

"Helping students make the connection between the soil and the supermarket is so important," says LENRD Information & Education Specialist Julie Wragge. "Making the connection back to the soil, where our food gets its start is vital. The next time you sit down to a meal, take a minute to think about where your food came from, and the farmers and ranchers who helped produce it," Wragge added. As they work to produce food for the growing population, today's farmers and ranchers are dedicated to using responsible land-management practices to ensure a sustainable food supply and healthy land and soil for future generations.

The LENRD is a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) which oversees the Stewardship Week program. Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. NACD represents the nation's 3,000 conservation districts, which were established to encourage resource conservation across the country.

For more information about Stewardship Week and conservation, contact the LENRD at 402-371-7313 or visit our website at www.lenrd.org
Additional information about the Soil to Spoon project and other natural resource education is available on the NACD website at www.nacdnet.org/education/resources/.

J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, once said that "The cultivation of flowers and trees is the cultivation of the good, the beautiful, and the ennobling in man, and for one, I wish to see this culture become universal." Morton proposed to the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture "to set aside one day to plant trees, both forest and fruit." The State Board of Agriculture accepted this resolution in 1872 and the first "Arbor Day" was celebrated with more than 1,000,000 trees being planted on that day. Sterling's idea of Arbor Day, "A day set aside each year to plant trees, both flower and fruit" is celebrated each year throughout the United States and in many other countries around the world as well.

Being the birth state of Arbor Day, it's only appropriate that the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) promotes tree-planting programs each year. To celebrate the 140th Anniversary of Arbor Day the LENRD will have tree seedlings available for purchase this Friday. Species and inventory are limited; however, the LENRD will try to have as many seedlings available as possible for those who want to plant a tree on Arbor Day. Those interested in purchasing trees on Arbor Day should go to Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area to the LENRD Tree Distribution Center, north of Stanton. From Norfolk, the lake is located 10 miles east on highway 275 and then 2 miles south on Ridge Road. Signs will direct you to the trees. The Center will be open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Arbor Day. Seedlings can be purchased in bundles of 25 for $23.

J. Sterling Morton said, "Other holidays repose on the past; Arbor Day proposes the future." LENRD Assistant General Manager Ken Berney said, "Plant a tree for the future. Our parents did it for us we should return the favor and do it for our children and grandchildren."

The Lewis and Clark NRD has worked to promote soil and water stewardship across Dixon, Cedar and Knox Counties since the establishment of the NRD system in Nebraska in 1972. The NRD system was formed to assist people in the communities and rural areas of Nebraska to protect and enhance soil and water quality. The Lewis and Clark NRD monitors groundwater quantity and quality, seals abandoned wells, assists in the planting of thousands of trees each year, and undertakes many other conservation projects across the District.

"Making the connection back to the soil, where our food gets its start is so important," says National Association of Conservation Districts President Gene Schmidt. "The next time you sit down to a meal, take a minute to think about where your food came from, and the farmers and ranchers who helped produce it." As they work to produce food for the growing population, today's ranchers are dedicated to using responsible land-management practices to ensure a sustainable food supply and healthy land and soil for future generations.

The Lewis and Clark NRD is a member of the NACD which oversees the Stewardship Week Program. Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. For more information about Stewardship Week and conservation, contact the Lewis and Clark NRD at 402-254-6758 or check out our web site at www.lcnrd.org. Additional information about the Soil to Spoon project and other natural resource education is available on the NACD website at www.nacdnet.org/education/resources/.

The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization which represents the nation's 3,000 conservation districts, their state associations and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. NACD's website is www.nacdnet.org.

The work will complete the NRD's Upper Antelope Creek Flood Reduction Project, the bulk of which was completed last fall. The project increased the conveyance capacity of Antelope Creek, widened the Billy Wolff Trail and decreased the likelihood of flooding in an area that includes the Lincoln Children's Zoo with construction of a detention cell in Antelope Park and two flood control berms along Memorial Drive.

Locally, the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (UNWNRD) assists the Scouts each year in ordering trees from Bessey Nursery near Halsey, Nebraska. For the 2012 replant, the UNWNRD donated $2,000 toward the purchase of the Ponderosa Pine seedlings.

Additionally, funds were contributed for this spring's plant by the Buckley Trust (Chappell, Nebraska), C.A. Story (Sidney, Nebraska), Peter Kiewit Foundation and the Longs Peak Conservation Committee. It is through the generosity of these donors, and those from years past, that thousands of trees are available for planting into the burned Fort Robinson landscape by Scouts from all over the region.

The UNWNRD, along with the rest of Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts, strives to educate youth about the importance of protecting natural resources and will continue to assists the Scouts in their effort to replant the seedlings near Fort Robinson.

For additional information on the annual tree plant, call Jim Schmitt, Tree Plant Coordinator at 308.377.2240.

It is expected that Kansas City-based Garney Companies will begin laying the pipeline in June and be completed this fall. A consulting engineer estimated that the low bid for the work would be $2.5 million to $2.8 million; the low bid from Garney was significantly less, coming in at $2,142,360. Tight competition regionally and nationally for pipeline work is believed to have produced the relatively low bids from seven contractors who vied for the project.

Just travel south central Nebraska and you will find more and more trees and grassland being eliminated for cropland development. Progress is good and making a living is a top priority, but we can also think about establishing proper windbreaks and grass plots for environmental and wildlife sustainability. Properly placed trees around farmsteads and fields help to cut down on fuel costs, protect crops from wind, reduces erosion and creates some habitat.

Earth Day raises an awareness. Especially in times of increasing populations, demands of our natural resources will climb. We should celebrate Earth Day to remind us to conserve natural resources for future use. Earth Day is very important because it encourages us to "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" our natural resources!

Arbor Day is an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives. As a formal holiday, it was first observed in 1872, in Nebraska. The founder of Arbor Day was among the pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory, Julius Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his wife were lovers of nature and the homestead they built in Nebraska was quickly planted to trees, shrubs and flowers. The territory was referred to as a treeless plain when they arrived.

Morton was a journalist and soon became editor of Nebraska's first newspaper. With that forum he spread agricultural information and his love for trees to a receptive audience. And in 1872, the State Board of Agriculture accepted a resolution by Mr. Morton to set aside one day each year to plant trees, both forest and fruit.

"Each generation takes the earth as trustees," stated J. Sterling Morton. With Morton's vision, we need to keep passing the torch to our children. It's our responsibility to teach kids what they need to know to preserve the planet, not just on these two days but every day. First and foremost, kids learn by example. They need to see how protecting and preserving the Earth is important to us, not just by words but by actions. Don't take a backseat in keeping Mother Earth clean or planting trees, be the driver.

In 2010, Anderjaska was appointed by Governor Heineman to serve on the Republican River Basin Water Sustainability Task Force. Anderjaska is also a member of the Hayes Center School Board, involved in his local church parish, and member and past director of the Nebraska Angus Association.

"I'm looking forward to serving as the President for the state association. This provides a great opportunity to help protect the future of Nebraska's natural resources," Anderjaska said.

During his tenure on the NARD Board, the NARD Board has saved taxpayers money by managing the employee NARD Intergovernmental Risk Pool Health Insurance Program. Anderjaska is particularly proud of the money raised by NRD staff, board members and partners through auctions and other activities for the NARD Foundation. The foundation proceeds are used to support youth education and programs where young people can learn more about natural resources. Programs supported by the NARD Foundation include the Envirothon, National Ag Day on the Hill, Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, Adventure Camp about the Environment and Nebraska FFA to name a few.

Anderjaska has been guided all his life by his father's and grandfather's land ethic, "We are borrowing this Earth from God. It is not ours to keep but to nurture for the generations to follow", said Anderjaska.

Anderjaska is a lifelong resident of Hayes Center and a 4th generation rancher. Anderjaska recently celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with wife Brenda. They have four children; three sons Erik (22), Joey (16), Jakob (10) and a daughter Jessica (21).

The NARD Board elected Terry Martin from the Upper Republican NRD to the Vice President position. Jim Bendfeldt from the Central Platte NRD was elected Secretary/Treasurer. The officers serve on the NARD executive committee along with chairs from the Information and Education, Legislature committees and the past NARD Board President. Anderjaska re-appointed Jim Johnson from South Platte NRD as chair of the Information and Education committee and Jim Meismer as chair of the Legislative committee. Mary Ann Wortman will continue to serve on the executive committee as the past NARD Board President.

The NARD board consists of representation from each of the local 23 NRDs. The board members meet five times throughout the year and help guide the Association and the NRDs in decision making that protects lives, protect property and protects the future of Nebraska's natural resources.

Middle Republican Natural Resources District protects lives, property and the future of this district through a wide range of stewardship, management and education programs-from flood control to groundwater monitoring, from irrigation management to outdoor recreation and more. Activities and projects of NRD's are reviewed and approved by a locally elected board of directors. There are 23 natural resources districts across the state. For more information, visit www.mrnrd.org.

The MoPac East Trail is a 25-mile recreational trail between Lincoln and Wabash that also extends through the towns of Walton, Eagle and Elmwood. The trail currently begins at 98th and "A" streets in Lincoln, due to another closing for construction from the trail's 84th Street trailhead to "A" Street, which is expected to last most of April.

The four-day adventure camp focuses on water resources, soil and land, forestry, range and grassland, and wildlife, while educating campers through hands-on activities on the importance of protecting our natural resources. During ACE, campers have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and dig into nature and form a new understanding of the environment through interactive participation.

ACE is sponsored by Nebraska NRDs, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, Olsen Agricultural Laboratory, Hooker County Turner Youth Initiative, the Nebraska Environmental Trust and Nebraska Academy of Science, Inc. Nebraska NRDs and the NARD partnered with several organizations to help make the camp a success, including the University of Nebraska, Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska National Forest, Nebraska State 4-H Camp, and Nebraska Pheasants Forever.

This year's pre-approved camps are the Nebraska Range Youth Camp for 7th- 10th grade students and the Adventures Camp about the Environment (ACE) for middle school students.

Landowners will work with their county Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to establish a variety of best management practices on their land, such as terraces, grassed waterways, buffer strips, grade stabilization structures, well decommissioning and septic system inspection and maintenance. A 13-member advisory group helped to create the list of eligible improvements. The group of landowners, residents and lake users from within the watershed included:

Farmers - Scott Minchow, of Pleasant Dale; Brian Brhel, of Pleasant Dale; Steve Hollman, of Crete; Bill Hoffman, of Denton; and David Brhel, of Denton

The NRD will offer 85 percent cost-sharing on many of the improvements, utilizing the federal assistance funds, with watershed landowners paying only 15 percent of those costs.

Besides improving overall water quality in the watershed, the best management practices will also compliment renovations to the lake itself, which are expected to begin in 2014. Conestoga watershed landowners interested in the program should contact their county NRCS office. In Lancaster County, contact Dennis Schroeder at 402-423-9683, extension 2. In Seward County, contact Sarah Reece at 402-643-6231, extension 3. Schroeder, the district conservationist for Lancaster County, said the NRCS, "hopes to complete the field work for landowners within the next three years."

The limestone-surfaced trail will be completely rebuilt, eliminating the many ballast rocks that have worked their way through the surface, making the trail rough for users. The nearly $103,000 contract also includes drainage repairs in the trail corridor and the construction of some guard rail. NRD Resources Coordinator Dan Schulz said, "It's up to the contractor to decide exactly when the trail will be closed. Gana has until April 28th to complete the work." Schulz added that keeping the trail open during the project was not an option. "The work will require heavy equipment to be on the trail, the trail surface will be extremely rough at times and in some places there may not be any trail surface at all," he said.

The 84th Street Trailhead, just south of 84th and "O" streets, is a popular spot for trail users to park their vehicles and bike or walk the trail to Walton, Eagle, Elmwood and Wabash. Alternate parking will be available at the Charles L. Warner Equestrian Trailhead, 98th and "A" streets and at the trailhead in Walton during the project.

The 25-mile MoPac East is one of three recreational trails maintained by the NRD. The others are the Oak Creek Trail, a 12-mile trail between Valparaiso and Brainard and the Homestead Trail, which begins at 2600 Saltillo Road and currently ends at Cortland, a distance of 13 miles.

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for crop production; however, outside of the root zone, nitrogen can cause problems with water supplies. Fertilization programs must account for multiple factors when determining the most appropriate nitrogen application method. In groundwater quality protection areas, NRDs require nitrogen accounting, including soil and water analysis. Soil sampling is used to determine residual nitrogen and is recognized as an important tool for fertilizer management. Irrigation water analysis should carry as much value, especially in areas where precipitation is, on average, not meeting the crops' needs. This analysis can actually reduce fertilization costs and benefit producers.

By using best management practices and soil and water analysis producers can save money by keeping fertilizers where crop utilization is most efficient. The University of Nebraska has determined that nitrogen concentrations of 1 part per million in 12 inches of irrigation water can account for 2.7 pounds of nitrates per acre. A concentration of 10 ppm applied to 160 acres is the equivalent of more than two tons of nitrogen fertilizer; at $700 per ton, this would save over $1,500. Along with the economic benefit, crops remove the nitrogen from the water and help reduce aquifer concentrations. It should also be noted that the bulk of irrigation occurs when the plant is in most need of nutrients.

Groundwater management programs and regulation have worked in several areas to reduce nitrate levels. "After implementing an aggressive groundwater quality management plan in 1988, areas of our district have seen a 21 percent decrease in average nitrate concentrations in the groundwater," said Ron Bishop, general manager of the Central Platte NRD. "Corn yields during the same time period, in most cases, have seen an increase," said Bishop.

There are still areas of the state where more work needs to be done on reducing nitrate contamination. The requirements of these areas may prohibit application of nitrogen fertilizers prior to March 1. While this may seem like an inconvenience during mild winters such as is being experienced, the action helps keep nitrogen available for crop production rather than being flushed into groundwater. For more information on nitrates or nitrate programs contact the Lewis and Clark NRD or visit www.nrdnet.org.

The NARD, the trade association for Nebraska's 23 natural resources districts, works with individual NRDs to protect lives, protect property and protect the future of Nebraska's natural resources. 2012 marks the 40th Anniversary of Nebraska's unique Natural Resources District system. NRDs are local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect our natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond best to local conservation and resource management needs.

ACE camp focuses on our valuable natural resources: water, soil and land, forestry, range and grassland, and wildlife and educates campers of the importance of these natural resources through hands-on activities. Campers have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves, dig into nature, and form an understanding of the environment through interactive participation.

Additional activities designed to allow campers the opportunity to experience nature include canoeing, archery, zip line, water rockets, water slide and numerous other adventures. Natural Resource professionals will be on hand to show the kids potential careers associated with the environment and natural resources.

Take advantage of the opportunity to get your child involved and excited about our natural resources and the importance of conserving them. The cost of registration is $185.00 per camper. The Lewis and Clark NRD offers up to four $100 scholarships to students who would like to attend the camp. The registration deadline is May 25, 2012. If you would like more information, or would like to sign up for ACE camp, contact the Lewis and Clark NRD at 402-254-6758.

Nebraska NRDs and NARD partnered with several organizations to make ACE camp a success. The organizations include: University of Nebraska, Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska National Forest, Nebraska State 4-H Camp, Chadron State College, University of Nebraska Conservation & Survey, and Nebraska Pheasants Forever.

Over the past four years, the Ross's have planted 6,382 trees on their property for the benefit of wildlife. Many of these trees were planted on Conservation Reserve Program and Continuous Conservation Reserve Program acres.

During the awards ceremony, Board of Director James Uerling presented a framed 16 x 20 ariel photo of the Ross's operation. Crop Production Services of Loveland, CO with a local office in McCook, sponsored the award.

The Board of Directors also accepted Ron Thompson's nomination last year for Byron and Deb Alberts as Honor Conservationist for the District. The Alberts own and operate Land a Life Farms, Inc. out of Palisade. Thompson is the Resource Conservationist for Hayes County. The Alberts were not able to attend the water conference. Other arrangements will be made for the presentation of their award.

The District seeks nominations for three different conservation awards each year: Outstanding Grass Planter, Outstanding Tree Planter, and Honor Conservationist. Nominations for these awards are currently being sought for 2012. Nomination forms are available at the District office in Curtis and on their website www.mrnrd.org .

Embassy Suites Hotel Washington D.C. Convention Center

Registration Information: 

Full Registration - $430

Includes: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday meetings with break services. Monday's group outing to Fredericksburg, VA, with lunch and dinner, and Tuesday lunch. 

Extra guest ticket for Monday group outing to Fredericksburg, VA - $190

Itinerary for Fredericksburg, VA:

• Tour Chatham Manor, used by the Union troops as their headquarters during the Civil War. 
• Visit the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center and walk the Sunken Road along the famous Stone Wall. 
• Visit Kenmore, the elegant plantation home that belonged to George Washington's sister, and her patriot husband Fielding Lewis. The home is known for its beautiful plaster work. 
• Tour the Mary Washington House, last home of George Washington's mother. This is the home George purchased for her and where she spent her last 17 years.

The five-member teams compete in seven areas of environmental studies: Soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, range, policy and a current environmental issue pertaining to nonpoint source pollution. Test questions included written, and many required hands-on observations, measurements and calculations.

"The Envirothon gives high school students a chance to learn more about natural resources and serves to educate youth on the importance of protecting the future of Nebraska's natural resources," said Mary Ann Wortmann, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Board President. "The Envirothon also serves to introduce students to potential careers in natural resources management," Wortmann added.

Water Programs Agenda - March 6, 2012 

NRD Water Programs Conference - Kearney Holiday Inn, Kearney, NE

The program includes, agency updates, groundwater issues, surface water issues, stormwater modeling, weather, cropping information and technology updates.  We will apply for CEUs.  For more details, we've attached a link to the agenda at the top of this page.  Registration fee is $70 per person, which includes breaks and lunch.  Don't forget to select your T-Shirt size! 

The Southwest Nebraska Water Conference began in 1987 as a means to educate irrigators who had water quality problems. During the lawsuit with Kansas, the conference served to update people on the progress of the lawsuit. In the coming years, the conference aims to educate producers on integrated management, water policy changes, new technologies and practical application suggestions that irrigators and professionals can implement in their businesses and operations.

Contact the Middle Republican NRD at (800) 873-5613 for more information.

"It looks like a whole new system with trees being removed and debris being cleaned out of the canals," said Ron Stear, President of the Cozad Ditch Company. "This will make the canal more efficient and easier to maintain," said Stear.
The Cozad Irrigation Canal has been in place and diverting Platte River water since its water right was approved by the state nearly 120 years ago on December 28, 1894. As recent as the mid-1980s, the Cozad Ditch Company had water rights to irrigate over 25,000 acres of land in the area between Gothenburg and Lexington in Dawson County. In the late 1980s, the State reviewed the water rights and irrigated acres of several canal and irrigation companies to ascertain that all of the water rights were being put to a beneficial purpose and that all the acres authorized to be irrigated with the Platte River water were, in fact, being irrigated. The State found that nearly 9,000 acres in the Cozad Ditch Company's area that had previously been irrigated with water from the Platte River had stopped using river water delivered by the canal and switched to groundwater for their supply. As a result, the state adjusted the water right and the acres that were authorized to use Platte River water for irrigation from 25,190 acres down to 16,186 acres.
"Landowners and farmers along the Cozad Canal are eager to improve the efficiency of the canal, recharge the aquifer, and help protect river flows," said Jim Brownfield, Cozad Ditch Company board member and landowner. "This partnership helps keeps the canal viable while still providing water to the service area and at the same time help keeps the Platte River in compliance with state agreements," said Brownfield.
Project benefits include:
• Providing groundwater recharge that protects supplies and protects quality.
• Providing enhanced flows to the Platte River by returning excess flows to the river during times of need and returning excess natural flow irrigation rights to the river for enhanced flows.
• Protecting water supply for surface water and groundwater users.
• Helping meet the requirements of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP) agreement between Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and the U.S. government.
• Helping meet the requirements of LB 962 to return the Platte River to its 1997 level of use (3,400 acre-feet).
• Helping meet the additional requirement of LB 962 to return the area above Elm Creek to a "fully appropriated" condition from the current "over-appropriated" condition.
"We have now reached a point where there are additional water right acres that would like to convert to a groundwater source, so part of the management strategy is to convert part of those rights that want to convert into recharge rights to protect the groundwater supply and convert part of the rights to augmenting flows back to the river," said Bishop.
The rehabilitation project is being funded through the Central Platte NRD and the Platte Basin Habitat Enhancement Project (PBHEP). The PBHEP was established to provide an added solution to help landowners in Nebraska's Platte River Basin meet the region's water needs, wildlife needs, and to protect the state's valuable agricultural economy.
The Central Platte Natural Resources District protects lives, property and the future of this district through a wide range of stewardship, management and education programs-from flood control to groundwater monitoring, from irrigation management to outdoor recreation, and more. Activities and projects of NRDs are reviewed and approved by a local-elected board of directors. There are 23 natural resources districts across the state. For more information, visit www.cpnrd.org.

The Lewis and Clark NRD is announcing a new practice as part of its Nebraska WILD Program. The CATTAIL Practice will be made available in 2012 to provide a payment of $100/acre to leave and protect existing slough grass areas in cropland. The program was originally tried in 1998 and faded for lack of interest at that time.

"The last few years, with all the tiling being done in in Northeast Nebraska, we're losing a lot of cattail areas that are beneficial for groundwater recharge and provide wildlife cover for pheasants and quail" Said NRD Manager Tom Moser. "We're hoping this program provides an option for some landowners to save and protect these areas."

Areas offered for enrollment in the CATTAIL Practice can be from one to 40 acres in size. Enrolled areas must be comprised of wetland vegetation and include an adjacent perimeter of cropland seeded to grass equivalent to 30' wide. Seeding of the cropland perimeter is eligible to receive cost-share assistance. The acres included in the CATTAIL Practice cannot be harvested but may have incidental grazing. The area must remain in "cattails" for a 5 year term and the payment of $100/acre can be issued in a lump sum at the end of the 1st year or spread over 5 years.

Areas currently enrolled in CRP or the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) will not be eligible for enrollment in the CATTAIL Practice. Deadline for enrollment is April 1st. Forms are available at your local NRCS offices or through the Lewis and Clark NRD in Hartington.

"This is a pilot program to determine the degree of interest in holding on to the few wetland areas left" said Moser. Application approval will be coordinated by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission and the Lewis and Clark NRD.

The NRD also approved additional cost-share funding to aid in planting shrubs for wildlife. Qualifying applications will now be eligible for 90% reimbursement of the expense for planting costs and materials to develop wildlife habitat. In addition, payment for contracts of newly enrolled woodland areas, has been raised to $20 per acre, an increase from $10 per acre paid previously.

Other Canal Updates: Ron Bishop, general manager, reported that Cozad Canal rehab is progressing well and will be able to complete this phase of the construction within the time limit agreed upon. He said that the NRD is planning to submit a grant to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources for rehabilitation funds for the Southside (Orchard Alfalfa) Canal.
--Public Hearings- Directors took action to approve changes to both the Integrated Management Plan and the NRD's irrigation Rules & Regulations. Changes to the plans will not take effect until official approval from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, which is expected within the next 60 days. The major change in both plans opens up the area east of Chapman; which is defined as the area with impacts to the Platte River below Chapman within the CPNRD, to new limited irrigation. Landowners in the area may apply for new irrigated acres from February 28-April 15. An application is available on the NRD website and available by calling the NRD office. Due to the potential number of applications and limited application time period, the NRD requests that no appointments be made. Applicants will be responsible for completing and submitting all required materials. Since the DNR has not officially approved the plans, the opening up of this area is pending approval and none of the applications will be approved until the Central Platte NRD receives approval from the DNR.
--Programs Committee-
Radio Sponsorship: The board approved sponsorship of $5,000 with the Upper Republican and other NRDs for a 30-second spot that will run on KRVN, KFAB and KLIN for six months.
2013 Budgets: The committee approved the information/education proposed budget and will forward it to the Budget Committee. They also discussed the proposed cost share budget and will continue to work on it at the March committee meeting.
--NRCS- James Huntwork, district conservationist of Grand Island, reported that staff are currently working through the process of obligating Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts in accordance with available program funding and associated application ranking scores. Following is a summary of applications received, the requested fund total, and application treatment acres for each NRCS Field Office in the CPNRD. The current EQIP fund allocation for the CPNRD is $600,483.00.
--UNL Request for Landowner Information- The board approved the attorney's recommendation to provide information to UNL in separate databases for research, surveys and possible interviews. The databases will include landowner name and addresses in one database and crop and field information in a separate database.
--Legislation Update- Milt Moravek, assistant manager, reported on the following bills:
LB 526e- Senator Carlson's priority bill, on select file with emergency clause. Ron Bishop said this bill would benefit the NRD by allowing the transfer of both consumptive use and recharge water from Six Mile Canal to Thirty Mile Canal. Currently only consumptive use can be transferred.
LB 653- Senator Christiansen's priority bill, would allow an inter-basin transfer without a permit from the Department of Natural Resources in times of flooding.
LB950- Senator Christiansen's bill, which proposes to redirect any payments from the Republican Basin NRDs to the Water Resources Cash Fund rather than the Water Contingency Cash Fund after the bill becomes law. The bill is supported by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.
--Cost Share- The board approved 18 applications for cost share including: 1 center pivot applications at $6,843.22; 1 streambank stabilization at $3,000; 3 tree apps at $3,784.89 and 13 well decommissioning applications at $11,500. Total approved for the cost share programs is $25,128.11.
--Upcoming Board Meetings- Board of directors meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month. Upcoming dates: March 22, April 26, May 24

The first runner up and only one point behind Chase County is Hyannis FFA followed by Medicine Valley FFA, three points behind Chase County.

The Middle Republican NRD provides information to the county assessors related to the acres certified as irrigated with ground water. Using this information and existing property valuations, acres classified by the county assessor as irrigated shall be subject to the districts occupation tax, unless on or before March 1 in each subsequent year the record owner certifies to the district the non irrigation status of such acres. Landowners must provide the District with information showing the location of these acres and the reason for the non irrigation status. Information provided to the District must be detailed enough to determine what parcel of land the acres are attached to. Along with the exemption from the occupation tax provided by this certification of non irrigation, any base allocation authorized by the NRD will be reduced to zero for that year of exemption. Currently a blanket exemption has been established by the district for all acres enrolled in the CREP program. No further action is needed as long as your acres remain enrolled in that program. The board has not authorized any exemption for other temporary retirement programs.

Landowners are reminded that this process only applies to the occupation tax and not to property taxes. Should you want to apply for this exemption from the occupation tax, you should gather the information needed and contact the Middle Republican NRD. This exemption will apply to any occupation tax levied for the 2012-2013 fiscal year which begins on July 1, 2012.

To be eligible, applicants must be residents of the Middle Republican Natural Resources District. This includes all of Hayes, Hitchcock, and Red Willow counties most of Frontier County and the southern ¼ of Lincoln County. Applicants must be registered to attend an accredited post-secondary institution during the 2012-2013 school year. Preference is given to those applicants who plan to major in a natural resources or agriculture related field. While students may attend any college of their choice, preference is also given to applicants who are applying to McCook Community College or the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Applications will be sent to district guidance counselors, vocational agriculture instructors, and natural science teachers. They will also be sent to the Financial Aid offices at McCook Community College and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Students may also apply on the web at: http://www.mrnrd.org/programs/education/scholarships/scholarships.html.

For more information, contact the Middle Republican NRD office in Curtis at (800) 873-5613 or any district high school guidance counselor or vocational agriculture teacher. Applicants can also apply on the District website at: http://www.mrnrd.org/education/programs/education/scholarships/scholarships.html.

LINCOLN (NE) February 9, 2012 - After inspecting all three of its trails following last weekend's snow storm, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District has advised trail users to be cautious. The NRD's MoPac East, Oak Creek and Homestead recreational trails are open, but crews are expected to remain on the trails for the next several weeks, clearing debris that, in some cases, totally blocks the trail.

The NRD's 50 miles of crushed limestone trails are maintained year-round and some popular winter activities on the trails include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. No motorized vehicles are permitted on the trails. NRD Resources Coordinator Dan Schulz said, "Our biggest concern is the safety of trail users, especially when they're in an area where our crews are working to clear debris. We're advising them to use extra caution."

The MoPac East Trail extends eastward from 84th Street, in Lincoln, through Walton, Eagle and Elmwood, to Wabash. The Oak Creek Trail spans 12 miles between Valparaiso and Brainard. Both crushed limestone trails share their corridors with natural-surfaced equestrian trails. The Homestead Trail stretches 13 miles, from 2600 Saltillo Road to Cortland.

YORK, NE --The Upper Big Blue NRD, along with University of Nebraska Extension Education are sponsoring two No-Till and Crop Management Seminars. The dates and locations are as follows:

February 13: BRUNING - Bruning Opera House.
February 14: COLUMBUS - Ag Park Exhibit Hall.
Both meetings will begin with refreshments at 8:30 a.m., and an official start at 9:00 a.m. The end of the seminars will wrap-up around 3:00 p.m. with a FREE meal to be provided over the noon hour. There is no charge for any part of these programs.

Speakers include Paul Jasa (UNL) on February 13 and 14, Dwayne Beck (South Dakota State University) on February 13 and 14, Ray Ward (Ward Laboratories, Inc.) on 13, Dan Gillespie (NRCS) on February 14, and Al Vyhnalek (South Dakota State University) on February 14.

These speakers will share their experiences with no-till farming on such topics as No-Till Equipment, Becoming Successful with No-Till, No-Till Economics, How No-Till Improves Soil Structure and Fertility, Cover Crops, and How to Increase Organic Matter and Soil Carbon.
RSVPs for both events must be made by February 10th. Those planning to attend the Bruning event should RSVP to Patty Kyhn at the Upper Big Blue NRD at (402) 362-6601. Those planning to attend the Columbus event should RSVP to Rod Wilke at UNL-Extension at (402) 370-4000.

This two-day conference will provide producers with information on increasing their profitability, efficiency, soil fertility and improving water quality while utilizing and protecting limited water resources.

Experienced no-till researchers, including Dr. Ray Ward of Ward Labs at Kearney; soil microbiologist Dr. Jill Clapperton, Dr. Dwayne Beck, manager of Dakota Lakes Research Farm from Pierre, South Dakota, University of Nebraska Extension Engineer, Paul Jasa and others will share their knowledge of continuous no-till.

The registration fee of $75 per person includes conference information to review the latest no-till research and information, all sessions, door prizes, catered breaks, evening social, a noon meal each day and opportunity to interact with sponsors at their booths or displays. Doors will open for the two-day event at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, with sessions from 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursday's sessions will run from 8:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Registrations made after February 10th or at the door are $100.

According to NRCS no-till education specialist and event coordinator Mark Watson, the Panhandle No-Till Winter Conference will help producers sharpen their no-till production knowledge and skills.

"With high fuel prices and other input costs, water concerns and other production challenges, more producers are looking at the benefits of no-till farming," Watson says. "This conference will be an excellent opportunity for producers to learn about the advantages of no-till from experts and also visit with local producers who have successfully incorporated it into their operations."

This year's conference is a cooperative effort between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Panhandle Resources Conservation and Development, Inc. (RC&D), South Platte, North Platte and Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources Districts (NRD's). Funding is also provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, the Nebraska No-Till Cadre, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln No-Till Education Fund and several individual and business sponsors.

For more information and to register for the Panhandle No-Till Winter Conference, call the Upper Niobrara White NRD at (308) 432-6190 or go to www.unwnrd.org and hit the No-Till Education link, or stop by your local NRD or NRCS office.

February 3: Organic Initiative, High Tunnel Initiative, On-Farm Energy, Ogallala Initiative, existing AWEP, WHIP and National Water Quality Initiative-1st application cutoff date.
February 21: Unobligated local funds may be swept by State Office for redistribution.
March 30: Organic Initiative, High Tunnel Initiative, On-Farm Energy, Ogallala Initiative, existing AWEP, WHIP & National Water Quality Initiative-2nd application cutoff date.
April 1: Unobligated funds may be swept by NHQ for redistribution in all programs.
June 1: Organic Initiative, High Tunnel Initiative, On-Farm Energy, Ogallala Initiative, existing AWEP, WHIP and National Water Quality Initiative-3rd application cutoff date.
--Legislation- Milt Moravek reported that there aren't many natural resources bills to watch this session, with Central Platte NRD's LB 484 unlikely to make it out of committee for discussion. Dick Mercer, director, said other bills to watch include LB 975, LB 1076 and LB 1134.
--Programs Committee- The committee discussed adding new practices to the cost share program but took no action.
--Cost Share- The board approved 44 applications for cost share. Soil & Water Conservation Program applications: amendment and range seeding for $3,123.09. CPNRD applications: 8 center pivot applications for $53,078; 1 streambank stabilization for $3,000; 13 tree cost share for $11,507.29; 3 flow meters for $1,500 and 17 well decommissioning applications for $18,750 through the Central Platte NRD Cost Share programs. Total approved for both cost share programs totaled $90,958.38.
--November Election- Filing date for incumbents in February 15; for non-incumbents it's March 1.

Well testing will evaluate potential bacterial and chemical contamination as measured by total coliform, nitrates, and atrazine.

Prior to the water quality sampling, current residents will be interviewed and complete a 28 question survey regarding demographics, personal health, and physical characteristics of the well.

To schedule a well testing appointment, contact either Sonya Carlson with the Papio-Missouri River NRD at 402-444-6222, or Erica Colbert with UNMC, COPH at erica.colbert@unmc.edu.

2) Nitrogen fertilizer applied on or after March 1st, and before planting at a rate greater than 150 pounds per acre, must also include a nitrification inhibitor;
3) Pre-plant nitrogen fertilizer applied on or after March 1st at a rate less than 150 pounds per acre DOES NOT require a nitrification inhibitor.
Nitrification inhibitors delay the conversion of nitrogen fertilizers to the nitrate form. This holds the nitrogen in the crop root zone longer, resulting in less opportunity for nitrogen loss. As an alternative to using a nitrification inhibitor, Option #3 allows the farmer to apply a lower rate of fertilizer before planting, and then apply additional nitrogen if needed after planting when an actively growing crop can utilize it.
THE PUBLIC IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS PUBLIC HEARING AS IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE UPPER BIG BLUE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT.

The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) protects lives, property and the future of this area through a wide-range of stewardship, management and education programs-from flood control to groundwater monitoring, from irrigation management to outdoor recreation and more. Activities and projects of the Upper Big Blue NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected Board of Directors. The Upper Big Blue NRD is one of 23 Natural Resources Districts across the state. For more information, visit www.upperbigblue.org or call (402) 362-6601.

  
Breaks (Exclusive Sponsor $500/Co-Sponsor $250)

Beverages and pastries will be available at each of the breaks throughout the conference. Your company's name will be displayed on the break table, as well as in the meeting program.
·Exclusive Sponsor - A half page ad (3.5 wide x 4 long, color) will be included in our meeting program. Artwork must accompany payment or e-mail to nard@nrdnet.org.
·Co-sponsor - A business card size ad (3.5 wide x 2 long, color) will be included in our meeting program. Artwork must accompany payment or e-mail to nard@nrdnet.org.

Advertise in the program (Business Card size $80/Half-page $110/Full-page $200)

If you would like to advertise your business in the meeting program, place a colored business card size ad (3.5 wide x 2 long) for $80, a half-page ad (3.5 wide x 4 long) for $110, or a full-page ad (3.5 wide x 8 long) for $200. Artwork must accompany payment or e-mail to nard@nrdnet.org.

Legislative Reception (Co-Sponsor $500)

A great way to make sure your presence at our conference gets noticed. With this sponsorship you'll receive:
· Two admissions to the reception.
·Appropriate signage at the reception.
·Full page ad (3.5 wide x 8 long, color) in the meeting program. Artwork
must accompany payment or e-mail to nard@nrdnet.org.

Full Registration - $210

Includes Tuesday and Wednesday meetings, breaks and luncheons, plus Tuesday Evening Reception.

Tuesday Only - $185

Includes Tuesday meetings, breaks and luncheon, plus Tuesday Evening Reception.

Tuesday Evening Reception Only - $55

Wednesday Only - $85

Includes Wednesday meetings, breaks and luncheon.

2012 NRD Legislative Conference Agenda

Refund Information:

• January 6, 2012 - Registration deadline.
• January 13, 2012 - Cancellation refunds must be in writing and will be accepted until this date.
• Cancellations received between Jan 14-17 are subject to a $25 processing fee.
• January 18, 2012 - No refunds for cancellations received on/after this date.
  Walk-in Registrations will be charged an additional $25 fee per person.

Hotel Information:

• January 2, 2012 - Deadline for motel reservations, Embassy Suites, 1040 P Street Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 474-1111 or 1-800-EMBASSY.
• Special room rates are available: $149 for single or double. Be sure to mention you are attending the NARD Legislative Conference when making reservations.

The Lewis and Clark NRD is offering a special seedling package of trees and shrubs for small acreages. The package of 50 seedling trees and shrubs includes ten each of the following species; Ponderosa Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, Burr Oak, Lilac, and Arrowwood Viburnum at a cost of $40.

If you are interested in ordering the small acreage seedling package or ordering other trees and shrubs, please contact the Lewis and Clark NRD at 402-254-6758. The deadline for ordering seedlings is March 31, 2012.

The scholarship is available to High School Seniors in the primary schools within the CKRWP area or to water service customers of the CKWRP. Priority will be given to students of water system customers.

If you would like more information about the Galen Jueden Memorial Scholarship please contact the Cedar Knox Rural Water Project at 402-254-6758. The application is available from guidance counselors of the schools located within the Project service area. Applications are also available on line at www.lcnrd.org under the Info & Education heading and must be submitted by March 7, 2012.

Applications will be judged based on how and where the applicant plans to use this education, the applicant's awareness and preservation of natural resources, the applicant's individual initiative and the applicant's community involvement. Applicants should also list any individual or group achievements in areas such as 4-H, FFA, National Honor Society, class officer, or any church or civic organizations in which they have been involved. All applicants must reside in the Lewis & Clark NRD and their course of study must be in an agricultural related field.

If you are a high school senior or know of a high school senior who would benefit from this scholarship - applications are available from your high school guidance counselor. Applications are also available on line at www.lcnrd.org under the "Info & Education" heading or by contacting the Lewis & Clark NRD at 402-254-6758. All applications must be received at the Lewis & Clark NRD office by March 7, 2012.

Five applications for irrigation well permits were scrutinized by the board with two located southeast of Steinauer, two northwest of Steinauer, and one east of Elk Creek. The board approved the four wells near Steinauer for Kalin Farms along with the well near Elk Creek for Ervin Gobber. The board was also updated on the notice that was sent to the Department of Natural Resources regarding the late permit for Scott Prange that was approved last month.

Current allocations are in effect for the 2012 irrigation season, and if any changes were to be made, would be implemented in 2013. District officials will continue their discussion at the February board meeting and plan to hold a public hearing and make their final decision by the March board meeting. Until the final decision is made, public input is encouraged.

For the past two months, District staff and board members have been reviewing ground water levels and other information brought forth in discussions to determine the best course of action to protect ground water reserves for both immediate and future uses.

In December, board members received input from Ground Water Advisory Committees in a series of meeting across the District. Ground water advisory groups are made up of water users and leaders from a cross section of District residents. The purpose of the ground water advisory committees is to advise the District board of directors on policies, ensure that all view points are considered, and to communicate on-going District programs and projects.

At their January meeting, SPNRD board members continued their review and heard more input from several irrigators. Following that discussion, board members were polled for their opinions on possible allocation changes they thought would provide protection for local aquifers.

On average, recommendations were for annual 14-inch allocations throughout the Lodgepole Valley west of Sidney. In one subarea, Oliver Reservoir to Buffalo Bend would see a two-inch allocation reduction, while the others, Pine Bluffs to Oliver Reservoir, and Buffalo Bend to Sidney, would remain the same. The average recommendation for the Sidney to Colorado State Line subarea would also result in no changes.

Potential changes could be in store for the South Platte Valley and the Tableland Subareas, which were the last to go under allocations, and have the largest amount of water available at 20 inches per year. The directors polled with an average of 18-inch allocation in the South Platte Valley subarea, while concern over large water level drops in the Tablelands resulted in suggestions ranging from 13 to 18 inches per year, with an average of about 14 inches.

The discussions come as the District works to fulfill a provision within the Districtwide Ground Water Rules and Regulations that changes to allocations be made about a year before they would have to be implemented by producers to allow irrigators to plan ahead.

The board also approved a request by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for assistance with a producer crop yield and management data collection project. A University research team is using unique modeling software that can predict yield potentials of corn and soybean crops. To continue model development, the team is collecting known crop data from across the state where possible.

Other business included a presentation of the District's 2011 Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program Report from Natural Resources Coordinator Chris Kaiser.

Kaiser reported 175 of 212 network wells were sampled at least once this past year. Some wells were not sampled because they are in deferment, while others were not used much because of the weather or the types of crops in the rotation.

In 2011, nitrate-nitrogen averages in 11 of 17 target areas were higher than the previous year, although only two, the Sidney Municipal Wells and Sidney Draw Trigger Monitoring Wells, averaged more than 10 parts-per-million, the standard Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrate-nitrogen.

The entire report can be seen at the South Platte NRD office, 511 Parkland Dr. in Sidney, or on the District Website, www.spnrd.org.

Cost share assistance for tree planting is available. Cost-share minimum is 350 trees and minimum cost-share amount for tree purchases/planting is $350.
Tree program coordinators Roy Lyles and Craig Uhrig are available free of charge to help with tree row planning, site preparation and cost-share applications and consultation for windbreak design, soil conditions and tree variety selection.
"We can go out, as a service, and take measurements and help with site selections," Lyles said. "We can make recommendations for site selections as far as soil types, conditions and slope. We don't charge extra, that's included in our planting fee." Last year the district sold 134,380 conservation trees.
"We can go out, as a service, and take measurements and help with site selections," Lyles said. "We can make recommendations for site selections as far as soil types, conditions and slope. We don't charge extra, that's included in our planting fee." Last year the district sold 134,380 conservation trees.
For more information on trees, go to www.nrdtrees.org. Tree order and tree planting/spraying request forms and the NRD Tree Planting brochure are available at the NPNRD office at 100547 Airport Road, Scottsbluff or can be viewed at and printed from our website http://www.npnrd.org/trees.htm and mailed in. Call the district office at (308) 632-2749 or your USDA-NRCS office in Scottsbluff, Bridgeport or Oshkosh for more information.

The NPNRD also offers landowners several services to help get conservation trees established and improve survival rates. These include machine tree planting at 85 cents per tree or hand planting at $1.25 per tree, with a minimum charge of $255. Chemical weed control is available for 25 cents per tree.

Trees ordered through the NRD are shipped from the nursery and stored at the district's tree coolers until planting time, which begins approximately April 1. Customers can either pick up the trees themselves and plant them, or take advantage of the NRDs tree planting services.

--Variance/Appeals Sub-Committee- A landowner from Polk County has requested an appeal on land that is currently under review for an irrigation violation. The committee will review and take action on the appeal.
--Water Resources Committee- The committee will discuss and possibly take action on:
1. Proposed Integrated Management Plan
2. Criteria for approving variances in the management area below Chapman.
3. 30 Mile Canal purchase and rehabilitation agreement.
4. Southside Irrigation Canal agreement.
5. Cozad rehabilitation.
--Programs Committee- The committee will discuss adding new practices to the cost share program such as soil moisture sensors and cover crops.
--NRCS- James Huntwork, district conservationist of Grand Island, will report to the board.
--Cozad Rehab- Milt Moravek, assistant manager, will give a presentation on the construction progress of the Cozad Canal rehabilitation.
--Land Acquisition- Moravek will also have an update on land acquisition for the Prairie/Silver/Moores Flood Control Project dams.
--COHYST- Duane Woodward, hydrologist, will have an update on the Cooperative Hydrology Study.
--Legislation- Milt Moravek will give the first legislative update of the 2012 session.
--November Election- Filing date for incumbents in February 15; for non-incumbents it's March 1.
--Other- As may develop prior to the board meeting.

--Committee Sign-Ups- Directors will select at least two committees to serve on in 2012. Chairman for the following committees will be selected: Water Resources, Eastern Projects, Western Projects and Programs.

The field burning dates and locations are listed below:
*March 10-15 Basset: Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary & a private Ranch in Rock County.
*March 15-24 Ainsworth: Niobrara Valley Preserve
*March 18-22 Gothenburg: Jerry Kranau's property
*March 23-31 Ord and Scotia

Training Prerequisites: Students will need S130/S190 certification and basic personal protective equipment. If you have not already taken S130/S190 you can complete a self-study CD and attend a field day to complete the training.
Field Day Completion Dates and Locations: We will be providing two different field days for completion of the 130/190 self-study: March 12-13th in Basset and March 19-20th in Gothenburg.
Deadline: If you'd like to participate contact David Carr, Central Platte NRD: (308) 385-6282 by February 15, 2012. For more information on participation, contact Jeremy Bailey: (801) 599-1394.

The deadline for ordering the tree packages is March 15th. Phone the District at (800) 873-5613 for pricing and more information.
The Middle Republican NRD protects lives, property and the future of the this area through a wide range of stewardship, management and education programs-from flood control to groundwater monitoring, from irrigation management to soil conservation and more. Activities and projects of the Middle Republican NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected board of directors. For more information, visit www.mrnrd.org or call 1-800-873-5613.

The NRD accepts orders for tree seedlings year-round, for delivery in April. January 25th is the order deadline for delivery this April. The seedlings are delivered to the NRD and stored in a custom tree cooler until landowners are ready to plant in April or May. The species offered are chosen especially for windbreaks and wildlife habitat and the minimum order is 100, except if purchasing a small acreage package. About 30,000 seedlings are sold by the NRD each year through the program. Nebraska NRDs combine orders to get a discounted price for landowners. More information about the program and an order form are available at lpsnrd.org, click on Programs, Cost-Sharing, then Tree Programs. Anyone interested in a small acreage package should contact the NRD at 402-476-2729.