Logan East Rural Water System adopts Memorandums of Understanding to receive, supply clean and safe water

NORFOLK, Nebraska - The Logan East Rural Water System (LERWS), established in 1991, is the largest Rural Water System in the state.  LERWS works to provide a clean, safe, and reliable source of water for over 1,000 rural customers.

During the Jan. 23, 2025, Board Meeting, Directors voted unanimously to adopt two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) – a non-binding document which states the responsibilities of each party to an agreement – for the Logan East Rural Water System. One MOU is with the City of Oakland and a second with the Village of Craig.

The MOU between LERWS and City of Oakland will allow LERWS to access treated drinking water from the City of Oakland to satisfy current and future demands of customers. The MOU between LERWS and the Village of Craig will allow LERWS to supply drinking water to the Village of Craig.

Directors unanimously approved the two MOUs for the Logan East Rural Water System.

Amendment made to the ranking system for Urban Conservation and Recreation Area Development Programs
When ranking applications for the Urban Conservation and Recreation Area Development Programs, LENRD staff will now also consider if the applicant received funding for a special recreation development project(s) within three previous fiscal years.

The Urban Conservation Assistance Program provides technical and financial assistance to units of government (cities, counties, villages, and schools) to help prevent or control erosion, flooding, and related resource concerns in urbanized areas. The Recreation Area Development Program provides financial assistance to units of government (cities, counties, villages, and schools) to acquire land rights, design, establish, develop, and improve public recreation areas.

Developments like the Riverfront Project in Norfolk and the Prairie Park Project in Wayne are considered ‘special recreation development projects’ outside the parameters of the Urban Conservation and Recreation Area Development Programs.

Additional ranking considerations for these programs include: funding of Urban Conservation Assistance Program applications first; then, priority is given to entities that have previously received, or been approved for, funds for the least amount of dollars from the LENRD for the Urban Conservation, Recreation Area Development, and Community Forestry Programs.

New Groundwater Irrigated Acres Approved
For the first time in recent history, LENRD Board of Directors allowed an application period for new irrigated acres in the LENRD Quantity Management Subareas. Quantity Management Subareas were created on January 24, 2013, for the protection of groundwater quantity in portions of the District where additional controls are necessary to minimize pumping conflicts and protect groundwater supplies without imposing unnecessary controls in other parts of the District. Of the 23 applications received within the Quantity Management Subareas (mainly in Pierce and Madison Counties), 10 were approved allowing 310.33 new groundwater irrigated acres in those subareas.

LENRD Quantity Management Subarea 2025 Water Use Amounts for Irrigation Wells
Although 310.33 new groundwater irrigated acres were approved for Quantity Management Subareas, the water use allocation amounts remain unchanged from their creation in 2013.

Eastern Madison County
Gravity/Flood Irrigation – 18 Acre Inches/Acre
Subsurface Drip Irrigation – 13 Acre Inches/Acre
All other systems (center pivots) – 14 Acre Inches/Acre

Wayne County
Gravity/Flood Irrigation – 17 Acre Inches/Acre
Subsurface Drip Irrigation – 12 Acre Inches/Acre
All other systems (center pivots) – 13 Acre Inches/Acre

New Directors take Oath of Office, Changes are made in Board Leadership
As a result of the election in November, the LENRD Board of Directors welcomed two new Directors earlier this month. At the beginning of January, Andy Hrabanek and Lee Klein took the Oath of Office and became the newest Directors to serve Subdistrict 4 and Subdistrict 2. Hrabanek, Battle Creek, replaced Director Rod Zohner to serve Subdistrict 4 while Klein, Norfolk, replaced director Mark Hall to serve Subdistrict 2.

Hall was elected to the LENRD Board in 2016, while Zohner was elected in 2021. Both have been invaluable Directors, and we thank them for the years dedicated to serving their constituents while focusing on the conservation of natural resources. 

Jay Reikofski, Anthony Wisnieski, Jerry Allemann, Matt Steffen, and Gary Loftis were re-elected to serve another term.

With a new election cycle comes a change of leadership for the Board: Chairman, Matt Steffen; Vice-Chairman, Jay Reikofski; Secretary, Kris Loberg; Treasurer, Jerry Allemann; NARD Delegate, Gary Loftis; NARD Alternate, Jerry Allemann.

NRD Staff and Directors Receive Unicameral Updates at Annual Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Legislative Conference
LENRD General Manager Brian Bruckner as been keeping a close eye on the legislation being introduced relating to natural resources. Of particular interest is LB 145 and LB 695. LB 145 would require the Director of Agriculture to administer a grant program relating to noxious weeds. This legislation addresses the desire to see additional funding for weed management – which was presented by Doug Deck, Wayne County Weed Superintendent – at the Subcommittee of the Whole Meeting in January. Bruckner provided a letter of support for this Bill. LB 695, introduced by Senator Rob Dover, would require specific action by the LENRD when it comes to flood control options for the City of Battle Creek. The Battle Creek WFPO Plan is still in the process of being finalized and there are plans for Houston Engineering to present on the status of the project at a meeting later this Spring.

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs, and how the LENRD can work with you and your community to protect natural resources, visit www.lenrd.org to sign up for our digital newsletters. The next board of directors meeting will be Feb. 27, 2025, at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.