GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – Central Platte Natural Resources District’s (CPNRD) crane viewing decks in Gibbon and Alda, Nebraska, will be a topic of discussion at the CPNRD’s monthly board meeting on February 24, 2022. Jesse Mintken, Assistant Manager, will provide an update on the rehabilitation of the Richard Plautz Crane Viewing Deck in Gibbon and new grant funding approved for updates to the Alda site.

The board meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Central Platte NRD office, located at 215 Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island, Nebraska.

AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

-Jackson Stansell, Ph.D. UNL Student/CEO Sentinel Fertigation  Presentation on the development of imagery-based fertigation recommendations for more efficient use of nitrogen fertilizer.

-Prescribed Fire Bids  The board will review bids and select a contractor to conduct prescribed burns this spring for CPNRD’s Prescribed Burn Program.

-Monitoring Well Bids  The board will review and select a contractor to construct nine dedicated monitoring wells in Hall and Howard counties.  CPNRD staff measures 450-500 wells throughout the District each spring and fall to monitor groundwater levels as part of the Groundwater Quantity Management Program.  The new wells will replace irrigation wells that are no longer accessible to measure and may be used to monitor nitrate in the groundwater.

-Managers Report  Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, will report to the board.

-Natural Resources Conservation Service  Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, and Carrie Thompson, Resource Conservationist, Lexington office, will report.

-Nebraska Association of Resources District  Jim Bendfeldt, CPNRD Representative, will report.

-Nebraska Natural Resources Commission  Mick Reynolds, Middle Platte Basin Representative, will report.

-Primary Election  Kelly Cole, Administrative Assistant, will give an update on incumbents and non-incumbents who have filed for CPNRD’s Board of Directors.

-Cost-Share  Applications through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation and the Central Platte NRD cost-share programs will be considered.

-New Employee  Darren Cudaback, Precision Conservation Specialist, will be introduced to the board. Cudaback began working on February 1, 2022, with Frito Lay growers for their Gothenburg facility to assist cooperators with conservation practices and nutrient management.

-Upcoming Board Meetings:  March 24, April 28, May 26, June 23