GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – The Central Platte Natural Resources District’s (CPNRD) Prescribed Fire Program and pricing for landowners will be a topic of discussion for the CPNRD’s Programs Committee this month. The committee will consider possible changes to the Prescribed Fire Program and take their recommendation to the CPNRD’s Board of Directors on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

Landowners who use fire to improve their pastures see increased economic output and wildlife benefits. Fields that are moderately grazed and treated with periodic burns are more drought-tolerant, more diverse in plant and wildlife species, and more productive in late summer. Additional benefits include less risk of devastating summer wildfires, irrigation runoff, and erosion.

Central Platte NRD’s Board of Directors meetings are held at 2 p.m. at the CPNRD office located at 215 Kaufman Ave in Grand Island.

AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

-Presentation: Dan Bigbee, Senior Environmental Scientist at EA Engineering, Science & Technology, will give a presentation on cover crops to the Board. Bigbee holds Professional Wetland Scientist and Ecological Restoration Practitioner certifications.

-Groundwater Management Rules & Regulations  Both the Water Quality and Water Utilization committees will review draft changes to the CPNRD’s Rules & Regulations for the Enforcement of the Nebraska Groundwater Management and Protection Act. Both committees will report to the Board. The Board will also consider scheduling a public hearing to be held in November for the revisions.

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

-Long Range Implementation Plan  Marcia Lee, Information/Education Specialist, will request approval of the 2023 Long Range Implementation Plan. The Plan summarizes district activities including projections of financial, manpower, and land right needs of the district for the next five years.

-Natural Resources Conservation Service  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 through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation and the Central Platte NRD cost-share programs will be considered.

-Upcoming Board Meetings  October 26, November 16, December 21