GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – Following a public hearing on Thursday, the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors approved an amended budget. The total requirements for the general and sinking funds amount to $34,714,184.14. Based on current balances and estimated revenue, the required property tax will be $5,349,324.17, reflecting an increase of $523,097.42 from last year. The FY 2024/2025 levy is estimated at 0.024448, based on the property tax request on last year's valuation plus 6%, compared to last year’s levy of 0.023380. The public hearing to set the levy will be held at 1:45 p.m. on August 29th, just before the August Board meeting.

Central Platte NRD’s Board of Directors meetings are held at 2:00 p.m. at the NRD office located at 215 Kaufman Avenue, Grand Island, Nebraska.

OTHER AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

Kingsley Dam Presentation 
Devin Brundage, General Manager of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID), presented alternatives for replacing the face of Kingsley Dam. Brundage indicated that the CNPPID Board is evaluating three options: soil-cement, concrete, and rip rap, with estimated costs ranging from $80 million to $200 million.

Building Committee  
Mick Reynolds, Board Chairman, reported signing the contract with Rogge General Contractors to construct the NRD’s new office and education center. The project is scheduled for completion December 3, 2025.

Ponderosa Lake Estates 
The Eastern Projects Committee discussed options concerning lots in the Ponderosa Lake Estates in Grand Island. The lots are located adjacent to the Wood River Flood Control Project levee. The Committee authorized staff to negotiate land right alternatives with the Home Owners Association to present to the Committee at a later date.

Alda Crane Viewing Site 
The Board approved an amendment to the contract with JEO Consulting for additional services amounting to $12,500, for an updated total of $75,390.  The additional services included training staff to conduct environmental surveys to ensure compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, community engagement, Recreational Trails Program and Nebraska Environmental Trust grant closeouts.

Variance 
The Board approved a new industrial livestock well permit with no expanded use in Dawson County.

Rules and Regulations 
Courtney Widup, Water Resources Technician, presented proposed changes to the NRD’s Groundwater Management Rules and Regulations to the Water Quality and Water Utilization committees. The review included an updated Quality Management Map, which reflects the new phase boundaries based on updated triggers approved in July 2023.

The proposed changes to the phase areas are as follows:

Phase I: 0 – 7.5 ppm. The area would include 1,435,307 acres, an increase of 45,621 acres.
Phase II: 7.6 – 10 ppm. The area would include 210,042 acres, a decrease of 212,910 acres.
Phase III: 10.1 ppm and above. The area would include 491,656 acres, an increase of 171,681 acres.

These new phase boundaries were determined using water samples collected by NRD staff each irrigation season and verified by producer data submitted on annual crop forms. The recommendations for the Rules and Regulations also include changes to several sections:

Certification of Irrigated Acres
Closure of the Management Area to Issuance of New Well Permits
Groundwater Management Areas

These proposed changes aim to improve groundwater management and ensure the sustainability of water resources in the District. A public hearing will be held this fall.

Manager’s Report 
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported on several new employees:

Collin Quandt has been hired to work with UNL and CPNRD on agronomic crop studies to ground-proof a crop model being developed by NRCS.  This three-year position is funded 50% by UNL.

Courtney Olson will begin employment on July 29th as the new Office Assistant.  Olson will assist with office duties, the Chemigation Program and wherever else needed.

Devin Hingst will begin employment on July 30th as a Natural Resources Technician.  Hingst will be responsible for water resources duties and assist with maintenance and other fieldwork.

Jerod Fling has been hired as the Integrated Water Programs Specialist for Upper Big Blue NRD in York, starting on August 5th. This three-year, grant-funded position will promote federal, state and local cost- share programs. Fling will work out of the CPNRD office a couple of days a week, focusing on the eastern half of the District and Upper Big Blue NRD. CPNRD has a similar position, shared with Tri-Basin NRD, covering the western part of the District, currently held by Carrie Putnam.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Report  
Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, introduced Pathway interns working in the CPNRD this summer including Katie Kempel, Josilee Scott and Kylie Jerabek. Krolikowski said 13 Pathway interns are working in Nebraska. Carrie Thompson, Resource Conservationist, reported on conservation contracts and practices being implemented in the Lexington field office.

Cost-Share Programs
Nine applications totaling $38,722.29 were approved through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation and CPNRD cost-share programs. The approved practices include pipeline to pivot, center pivot incentive, streambank stabilization, and cover crops.

Upcoming Board Meetings 
August 29, September 26, October 24 
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.