NORFOLK, Nebraska -- The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors had a packed agenda to end 2023. Directors were presented the Fiscal Year 2023 Audit, heard numerous monthly and meeting reports, received an update from JEO Consulting Group on the North Fork Elkhorn River WFPO Plan, discussed approving a resolution for a WaterSMART Grant Application, approved an additional Guideline for the Good Cause Variance process, and set the groundwater allocation amounts for 2024 for the Quantity Management Subareas. Finally, they voted on two items relating to LENRD personnel and approved the 2024 meeting schedule.

 Acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2023 Audit
Donita Pokorny, with Dana F. Cole & Company LLP, presented the results of the Fiscal Year 2023 audit to the Board Members. The fiscal year audit is an annual requirement for the financial statements of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, and for each major fund of the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District.  This audit is conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and for standards applicable to Government Auditing Standards.  Donita reviewed pertinent sections of the audit with the Board of Directors and concluded with a report on any compliance matters in accordance with the aforementioned standards.  At the conclusion of her report, the Board approved a motion to accept the Fiscal Year 2023 Audit as presented.

North Fork Elkhorn River WFPO Update by JEO Consulting Group
Andrea Gebhart, Project Manager, and Ann Nissen, Water Resources Engineer, of JEO Consulting Group provided an update on the North Fork Elkhorn River WFPO Plan. Gebhart provided a project overview, a summary of work-to-date, and discussed the timeline for the rest of the project. Nissen discussed the preliminary H&H, or Hydrology and Hydraulics, results. She also talked about stream gage analysis from Pierce, data sources, and showed two models from the geographic focus areas – Pierce and Osmond.

Resolution of WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Grant Partnership
The LENRD Board of Directors voted to table a decision on approving Resolution No. 2023-01. Approval of this resolution would indicate the District’s commitment to providing funding, as well as the development and execution of a cooperative agreement for the Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Grant for Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects.

In order to even apply for the grant, LENRD staff need to have an approved and signed Resolution from the Board. In partnership with the McCrometer Company, the grant would provide funding to equip flow meters with remote-read telemetry. The intent is to provide convenience for the producer and help the NRD monitor water use and assist producers with maintaining compliance.

LENRD Policy for Orphaned irrigated Acres Policy Change
The LENRD Board of Directors approved an additional guideline to be used in conjunction with the LENRD’s ‘Good Cause Variance’, granting District staff the authorization to consider a Good Cause Shown Expedited Variance request to utilize an existing irrigation well as a source of irrigation water for orphaned irrigated acres.

The District was presented a situation where a landowner acquired property that currently has certified irrigated acres and has an existing irrigation well on adjacent property. The new owner has asked to use the existing well as a source of irrigation water to continue irrigation activities on the newly purchased property.

Establish 2024 Groundwater Allocations for LENRD Quantity Subareas
The LENRD Board of Directors approved the 2024 allocations amounts for the LENRD Quantity Management Subareas:

• Eastern Madison County Quantity Management Subarea
  • 18 inches per irrigated acre for gravity/flood systems
  • 13 inches per irrigated acre for subsurface drip irrigation systems
  • 14 inches per irrigated acre for all other irrigation systems
• Wayne County Quantity Management Subarea
  • 17 inches per irrigated acre for gravity/flood irrigation systems
  • 12 inches per irrigated acre for subsurface drip irrigation systems
  • 13 inches per irrigated acre for all other irrigation systems

Other Happenings in the Lower Elkhorn NRD

• The LENRD received nearly 300 applications for Standard Variances during the month of November 2023. A preliminary summary of the final point totals will be presented for consideration to the Board no sooner than January 11, 2024, or at an alternate date as determined by the Board Chairman and General Manager.
• Applications for the Conservation Tree Program are available on our website and in the office. The deadline to order trees is February 23, 2024. 
• The NDEE is offering free nitrate sample kits for private drinking water wells. These kits are only available until January 31, 2024.
• The LENRD is conducting a study to better understand the types of hazards the community is most impacted by, and the damage it has caused, as part of the region’s Hazard Mitigation Plan update process. The questionnaire is available to take on our website and social media platforms until January 22, 2024. 
• The University of Nebraska-Lincoln released a web-based nitrogen management tool for corn growers. Additional information is on our website.