Registration Open for 2008 Land Judging

September 3, 2008

Online registration is now open for the 2008 East Central Land Judging Contest, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9 (location TBA). FFA teachers can use this form to register their teams.

The Lower Platte North NRD hosts the East Central Land Judging Contest each fall for area FFA chapters. Students at the contest are tested on their knowledge of soil types, topography, proper land use practices, and related topics.

Online Registration
More Info on Land Judging

NRD to Begin Certifying Irrigated Acres

July 22, 2008

Later this year, the Lower Platte North NRD plans to begin the process of certifying all irrigated acres in the district.

The certification process will verify the number of acres being irrigated by wells and/or surface water throughout the NRD and correct any errors in existing records. The main purpose of the acre certification is to protect future water use for existing irrigators.

“If our basin is declared fully-appropriated by the state, certification will ensure that producers who have made the investment in their irrigation systems can continue to irrigate their existing acres,” said NRD General Manager John Miyoshi. “It’s the best way to protect our irrigators and their operations.”

Read More . . .

Full Story

Morse Bluff Subarea Removed from Uplands Moratorium

May 13, 2008

The Lower Platte North NRD Board of Directors voted at their monthly meeting to remove the Morse Bluff Subarea from the Uplands Aquifer Moratorium, which went into effect on May 9. The subsurface geology of the Morse Bluff subarea is similar to other areas in the Uplands that were not included in the final moratorium.

The removal of the Morse Bluff subarea will take 30 days to go into effect. The administrative order for the removal, updated maps and other information on the moratorium are available using the links below.

Administrative Order, Removal of Morse Bluff Subarea (PDF, 11kb - will open in new window
Updated Maps and More Information on Uplands Moratorium

"No Child Left Inside" at Spring Conservation Sensation

May 8, 2008

The Spring Conservation Sensation, an outdoor festival for elementary grades, hosted 297 students from area schools on May 7 at Czechland Lake near Prague.

4th, 5th and 6th grade students from 10 local schools attended the 2008 event, which featured hands-on activities designed to teach them about the importance of conserving natural resources. The students rotated through eight 25-minute sessions focusing on a variety of topics.

Use the links below for a photo gallery of the 2008 event and more information on the Spring Conservation Sensation.

2008 Photo Gallery (will open in new window)
More Information on the Spring Conservation Sensation

Permanent Well Moratorium Declared for Portions of Butler and Saunders Counties

March 19, 2008

Following a year-long study and temporary stay on well drilling in the Uplands aquifer area, the Lower Platte North Board of Directors voted at their March meeting to impose a permanent moratorium on portions of Butler and Saunders Counties. Drilling of any new high-capacity wells (more than 50 gallons per minute) and any expansion of irrigated acres served by existing wells is prohibited in these areas.

The moratorium will take effect on May 9, 2008. For more information and maps of the affected areas, use the link below.

More Information on Uplands Moratorium

NRD Adopts Updated Ground Water Management Area Rules & Regulations

March 19, 2008

The Lower Platte North NRD has concluded a comprehensive review and update of rules and regulations for the district-wide Ground Water Management Area (GWMA). A public hearing was held on the changes on February 27 and the updated rules and regulations were approved by the NRD Board of Directors at their March board meeting. The updated rules go into effect May 9, 2008.

The updated rules and regulations are available in PDF format here (490 kb).

Download PDF (490 kb)
More Information on GWMA

NRD Seeking Summer Interns

February 11, 2008

The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District is seeking three summer interns for the summer of 2008. The position will begin in early May and run till the start of the fall semester of school. Get details here.

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New Viaduct Available for Download

February 8 , 2008

The latest issue of the NRD newsletter, The Viaduct, is now available for download in PDF format. In this issue:

• Uplands Moratorium Extension
• Lake Wanahoo Construction
• Annual Awards Banquet
• Platte River Research

Download the Viaduct here (PDF, 1.2 MB).

For subscription information, go here, and see our other publications here.

Download Viaduct | Subscribe to Viaduct
See Other Publications

Dates Announced for Nitrogen Certification & Water Conservation Classes

December 19, 2007

Dates and locations have been set for 2008 Nitrogen Certification and Water Conservation classes.
The NRD’s Groundwater Management Area (encompassing the entire district) requires producers who use fertilizer in the district to be certified in nitrogen management at least once every four years.

Operators of irrigation, municipal, and industrial wells in the Level One Management Area in the David City region are also required to attend a Water Conservation class at least once every 4 years.

Uncertified producers are not eligible for any of the NRD’s cost-share programs.

Get Full Schedule

NRD Honors Area Conservationists

December 4, 2007

Area conservationists were honored at the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District’s Annual Banquet on December 2 at the Knights of Columbus hall in David City.

Each year, the NRD gives awards for outstanding efforts in conservation, tree planting, water resources management, education, volunteerism, and partnership efforts. Award winners are chosen by NRD staff and directors.

Full Story

NRD Reaches Settlement With Producer Over Violation of Ground Water Regulations

October 29, 2007

The Lower Platte North NRD has reached a settlement with a Colfax County producer over violations of the district’s ground water regulations.

The producer, located in the NRD’s Richland-Schuyler Phase 2 Ground Water Management Area, was originally issued a cease and desist order for his refusal to submit required annual fertilizer application reports and for failing to attend required Nitrogen Management Certification training.

Full Story

Wilber-Clatonia, Norris and David City Headed for State Land Judging

October 3 , 2007

Land  judging teams from Wilber-Clatonia, Norris and David City qualified for  state competition after placing in the top tier at the East Central Land Judging Contest, held Oct. 3 at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center near Ithaca.

Full Story
Photo Gallery (will open in new window)

Pits Used for Irrigation Must Be Registered as Groundwater Wells Due to New Law

July 10, 2007

When LB 701 became law on May 2, 2007, it included a requirement that all pits that intercept groundwater and which are used for purposes of irrigation must be registered with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources as a groundwater well. The new law requires registration of existing irrigation pits within 180 days after May 2, 2007.

Full Story