GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – Subdistrict 7 of the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors will welcome a new member in January following the general election. Jerry Wiese of Grand Island, the incumbent for Subdistrict 7, served on the board for 24 years but did not seek re-election. John Stoltenberg of Cairo ran unopposed for the seat and will succeed Wiese.

Subdistrict 9 was the only contested race in this year’s election. Incumbent Doug Reeves of Archer retained his seat, defeating Andrew Simmons of Marquette.

Central Platte NRD has 21 members on the board of directors who serve four-year terms, with two directors in each of the 10 sub-districts and one at-large director.  Directors in the same sub-district are elected in alternate election years. The following were elected in this year’s General Election:
Subdistrict      Director
Subdistrict 1    Jay Richeson, Gothenburg
Subdistrict 2    Dwayne Margritz, Lexington
Subdistrict 3    Marvion Reichert, Elm Creek
Subdistrict 4    Ryan Kegley, Kearney
Subdistrict 5    Mike Wilkins, Gibbon
Subdistrict 6    Mick Reynolds, Wood River
Subdistrict 7     John Stoltenburg, Cairo *New director
Subdistrict 8     Todd Arends, Grand Island
Subdistrict 8     Kevin Werner, Grand Island *2-year term
Subdistrict 9     Doug Reeves, Archer
Subdistrict 10   Barry Obermiller, Grand Island 

Nominating Committee  The Board elected Keith Ostermeier, Mick Reynolds, and Jerry Wiese to the Board Officer Nominating Committee to make recommendations for the board chairman and vice-chairman. Board officers can serve two terms of two years each. Chairman Mick Reynolds, Wood River, and Jerry Wiese, Grand Island, have served two terms. Wiese did not refile for the Board of Directors.

New Office/Education Center  The Board approved Change Order #002 for the NRD’s new office and education center, totaling $186,150. The Change Order includes corrective work on bearing capacity soil, updated pricing for glass windows and doors, the addition of four steel beams, and the extension of 60 feet of concrete to Schauppsville Road. The Building Committee reviewed initial estimates to pave the remainder of 13th Street to the building. The Board will review and consider action on the paving quotes in December.

Wood River WFPO  The Board voted to terminate the Wood River Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Plan. The decision was based on the cost-benefit analysis, which showed that the level of flood risk reduction was not justified by the cost to address a 25-year flooding event.

The plan, initiated in 2020 with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), evaluated flood risk reduction alternatives for areas near Gibbon, Shelton, Wood River, and Alda. The proposed design included a 400-foot-wide diversion channel west of the City of Gibbon.

Manager’s Report   Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported on the following:

·   Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NiRIA)  
The CPNRD will receive $76,491.79 to distribute to qualified participants in the NiRIA. The application and guidance documents are available on the CPNRD website at https://www.cpnrd.org/water-resources/groundwater-quality.

·   November Managers Meeting  
Governor Pillen addressed NRD managers to discuss the potential merger of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. He also discussed establishing a water quality task force to address nitrate levels in drinking water and proposed metering all high-capacity wells with real-time telemetry. Governor Pillen emphasized his intent to include NRD representatives on the water quality task force.

·   UNL Neb Guide
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) will release a new NebGuide on nitrogen management and crop production this winter. Dr. Richard Ferguson, Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture, will present the guide's updated recommendations at CPNRD’s January board meeting.

·   Thirty Mile and South Side Irrigation District
Curtis Sargent has announced his retirement from the South Side Irrigation District (SSID) at the end of 2024. Discussions are underway for Thirty Mile Irrigation District (TMID) to potentially contract and assume management of SSID. Both irrigation districts are located on the south side of the Platte River and are in close proximity to one another. TMID already handles the majority of maintenance on both canals.

·   NDEE – ONE RED Irrigation Engine Rebate Program
NDEE is offering 60% cost share up to $23,000 to replace one diesel irrigation engine with an electric motor. The application deadline: January 16, 2025. Additional information is available at:  http://dee.ne.gov/publica.nsf/pages/17-016.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Report  
Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, provided an update on two Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) agreements in the Central Platte NRD. The Ogallala Aquifer and Platte River Recovery Project, along with the Nebraska Soil Carbon Project, accepted applications through November 15th. Krolikowski explained that funding for these competitive programs will be determined using a ranking system.

Nebraska Association of Resources District (NARD)  
Deb VanMatre, CPNRD Representative, reported that the NARD Board will include two new directors following the general election. She also announced that the 2025 Basin Tour will be held in the Middle Niobrara region.

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission  
Mick Reynolds, Middle Platte Basin Representative, announced that the Commission will hold a caucus on January 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. to fill the Middle Platte Basin Representative seat. The caucus will take place at the Central Platte NRD office in Grand Island. Reynolds, who has served on the Commission since 2013, has decided not to seek re-election for the position.

Cost-Share  
Eight applications for burn preparation, cover crops and well decommissioning were approved through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs totaling $18,500.

Upcoming Board Meetings   December 19, January 23, February 20