CHADRON, Nebraska - On Dec. 19, 2023, the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (UNWNRD) will host two public information sessions to share the proposed changes to the Groundwater Management Area and Integrated Management Area Rules and Regulations. 

Periodically, the UNWNRD will review the rules and regulations to determine if the goals and objectives for ground water management are being met.  Changes may be necessary in response to state statutes or regulations; updated technology, cropping practices; water quality or quantity concerns or environmental conditions.

“The Water Committee and the Board has been discussing changes to the rules for several years and has chosen to incorporate many of the modifications to coincide with the end of the allocation period” stated Board Chairman Dave Kadlecek. 

While some of the edits are editorial and incorporate clarifying language, the significant changes include:

• Include language to allow a groundwater management area to move to a less restrictive phase
• Remove obsolete language
• Incorporate language for transfers and variances to accommodate the modified review process
• Codify board policies
• Set the 2025-2029 allocation at 65 acre-inches
• Set the 2025-2029 carry over at 32.5 acre-inches
• Establish the process for reviewing transfers and variances

The times and locations for the public information sessions are:

• Alliance Knight Museum; 908 Yellowstone Ave.; Alliance – 10 a.m.
• Security First Insurance; 110 East Second St.; Rushville – 3 p.m.

Additional information and copies of the proposed rules and regulations can be found at www.unwnrd.org.