NORFOLK, Nebraska – The protection of our groundwater is one of the main responsibilities given to Nebraska’s NRDs.  The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) board and staff work diligently to come up with ways to develop, manage, and conserve our water now and for future generations.

LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said, “We are always striving to find programs that fit our mission and to encourage citizens to stop and think about how they can take the next steps to reach their management goals.”

At their October meeting, the LENRD board of directors approved a chemigation equipment cost-share program.  This program is intended to introduce landowners to, and provide a one-time cost assistance for, equipment needed for application of fertilizer through irrigation systems.  This program is designed to spoon-feed fertilizer to the crop at the optimum time, reduce fertilizer losses, and reduce the risk of nitrogen leaching into the groundwater.

Becker continued, “Our goal with this program is to provide a tool for producers to apply their nitrogen more efficiently.  One of the requirements of the program is that the applicant has not previously done chemigation.”

The eligible components would include LENRD approved chemigation equipment needed on irrigation systems for applying liquid nitrogen fertilizers, including the mainline check valve and the fertilizer injection pump and/or chemical injection valve.

“The cost-share will be 50% of the total cost of the equipment, not to exceed $1,500, and is a one-time use program,” said Becker.

In other action, the board accepted a bid to complete concrete work at the shop and shower house at Maskenthine Lake, and the sidewalk project at the Maple Creek Recreation Area.  The board also accepted a 3-year lease contract for a skid steer loader and approved the trade-in of the Chevy Tahoe.

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails.  The next board of directors meeting will be Tuesday, November 23rd at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.