GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) will hold a public hearing on September 26th at 1:45 p.m. on the proposed updates to the NRD’s Groundwater Management Plan Rules and Regulations. The changes listed below aim to improve groundwater management and ensure the sustainability of water resources in the district.

Proposed Rules and Regulations Changes

• Phase I: 0 – 7.5 ppm. The area would consist of 1,435,307 acres, an increase of 45,621 acres.
• Phase II: 7.6 – 10 ppm. The area would consist of 210,042 acres, a decrease of 212,910 acres.
• Phase III: 10.1 ppm and above. The area would consist of 491,656 acres, an increase of 171,681 acres.

The new phase boundaries were determined using water samples collected by NRD staff each irrigation season and verified by producer data submitted on annual crop forms.

The recommendations for the Rules and Regulations also include changes to the following sections:

Certification of Irrigated Acres
Closure of the Management Area to Issuance of New Well Permits
Groundwater Management Areas

Following the hearing, the Board will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for its monthly meeting, where public comments and proposed changes will be reviewed for consideration. The hearing and meeting will be held at the CPNRD office located at 215 Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island, Nebraska.

OTHER AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

Building Committee  The Building Committee will meet to review the progress of the NRD’s new office and education center construction.

Western Projects Committee  The Western Projects Committee will meet to review a change order request from HDR Engineering for the Spring and Buffalo Creeks Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations plan.

Manager’s Report   Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, will report.

Annual Water Use Report   Jess Mintken, Assistant Manager, will present the 2023 Annual Report of Water Use Activities in the Central Platte NRD. The report is a summary of certified irrigated acres, transfers, well permits and water banking activities that is updated for the Platte Basin Meeting annually.

Long Range Implementation Plan  Marcia Lee, Information/Education Specialist, will present amendments to the 2024 Long Range Implementation Plan and request its approval. The Plan, which provides a summary of the district's activities, is updated annually in accordance with the Nebraska Natural Resources District Act.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Report  Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, and Jason Scholz, Resource Conservationist, will report.

Nebraska Association of Resources District  Deb VanMatre, CPNRD Representative, will report.

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

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

Upcoming Board Meetings   October 24, November 21, December 19