CPNRD Approves Project SENSE: New Nitrogen Management Program

(GRAND ISLAND, NE) On Thursday, the Central Platte Natural Resources District's board of directors approved participation in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Project SENSE pilot program in the amount of $16,500/ year for three years. The pilot program will promote in-season nitrogen fertilization for corn to improve the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer applications through the use of canopy sensors. The Central Platte NRD will have four fields involved in the research. Other NRDs requested to participate include the Upper Big Blue, Lower Platte South, Lower Platte North and Lower Loup NRDs.

COMMITTEES/BOARD ACTION:

-Outdoor Classroom- Cozad Community Schools' grant application for the Haymaker Greenhouse and Outdoor Garden was approved in the amount of $2,500 through the Central Platte NRD's Outdoor Classroom Program. Students in preschool through high school will use the greenhouse and garden as a learning lab in cross-curricular activities with the goal to develop a life-long love of gardening and agriculture. CPNRD has provided funding for 10 outdoor classrooms since 2001.
-Western Office- Lyndon Vogt, CPNRD general manager, reported that the CPNRD will open an office in Lexington starting April 1, 2015. The office will house one field staff who will perform field work in the area and assist with maintenance on the Cozad, Thirty Mile and Orchard Alfalfa canals when needed.
-Southside Irrigation District- As a result of the current management agreement with Southside Irrigation Canal and their efforts to become an irrigation district, the board took action to allow Lyndon Vogt to sign all necessary addendums and documents for CPNRD to perform the terms of the management agreement between the two entities.
-Basin Coalition Representatives- The board appointed Lyndon Vogt as representative of the Nebraska Appropriated Basins Coalition. Jim Bendfeldt, director, was appointed alternate.
-Canals- Jim Bendfeldt, Western Projects chairman, reported that BSB Construction has completed tree removal and is continuing grading on the Orchard Alfalfa Canal.. The canal rehabilitation is scheduled to be completed by April 15, 2015. Simon Contractors has begun stabilization of the Cozad Canal head gates. Flowable fill and permanent sheet piling will be used to eliminate erosion issues.
-Legislation- Mark Czaplewski, biologist, reported that on Wednesday, Lyndon Vogt testified in favor of LB 130 to provide priority status funding for projects already approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Commission. Central Platte NRD's Prairie/Silver/Moores flood control project in northwest Grand Island is one of the projects that are waiting on final funding. Czaplewski also reported that LB 164 and LB 207 advanced to select file.
-CSP Funds Available- James Huntwork, NRCS district conservationist, reported that $100 million is available this year through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners should submit applications by March 13, 2015 for consideration of this year's funding. This year's investment may result in the enrollment of up to 7.7 million acres in the program by private landowners nationwide.

CSP is a program designed to provide incentives to those who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Participants take additional conservation steps to improve the resource conditions on their land, such as cover crops, intensive rotational grazing and wildlife friendly fencing.

Huntwork said that NRCS is also offering a renewal option through March 31, 2015, for eligible agricultural producers and forest landowners with expiring CSP contracts. These producers must be willing to adopt additional conservation activities aimed at helping them achieve higher levels of conservation on their farms, forests and ranches.

-Cost Share- The board approved 31 cost share applications for grazing deferment, center pivots, soil moisture sensors, flow meters, tree planting and well decommissioning in the amount of $99,375.65.
Upcoming CPNRD Events- 
-Monday, March 2- CPNRD Information Meeting, Central City Community Room from 9:00-2:30. Lunch included. RSVP (308) 385-6282 or lee [at] cpnrd.org.
-March Board Meeting- The March board meeting will be held on Thursday, April 2nd due to conflicts with the Legislative Conference to be held in Washington D.C.
-Thursday, April 23- Board of Directors April Meeting 2:00 p.m.
-Tuesday, May 12- Nebraska Children's Groundwater Festival- CCC/College Park in Grand Island. Coordinated by Central Platte NRD.
-Thursday, May 28- Board of Directors May Meeting 2:00 p.m.

Marcia Lee
Information/Education Specialist
Central Platte Natural Resources District
215 Kaufman Ave Grand Island NE 68803
Tel: (308) 385-6282 www.cpnrd.org
Protecting Lives • Protecting Property • Protecting the Future