LB 962
In 2004, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB962, a major overhaul to the state’s water law. Under LB962, a river basin’s surface water and groundwater are both taken into account when deciding whether the water supply can sustain further development for irrigation and other high-volume water uses. If a basin is found to be “fully appropriated” (at the maximum level of sustainable development), drilling new wells or putting new acres into irrigation may be restricted.
Currenlty the Lower Platte River basin has not designated as fully-appropriated by the state, but the status is reviewed yearly and a future designation is possible.
The NRD urges all well owners to register their wells with the Department of Natural Resources and ensure that all pertinent information is up to date. This includes current owner, correct legal description, irrigated acres, change of use, well construction information, etc. Wells that are not properly registered could be declared illegal if the river basin is declared fully-appropriated in the future.
You can check your well registration on-line at http://dnrdata.dnr.state.ne.us/wellssql/, or visit the NRD office at 511 Commercial Park Road in Wahoo.
The NRD maintains a memo with the most up-to-date information regarding LB962 and the District's appropriation status that can be downloaded here. (Adobe Reader required.)
Some portions of Butler and Saunders counties are restricted from drilling new high-capacity wells or expanding existing irrigated acres by the Lower Platte North NRD's Uplands Aquifer Moratorium. This is unrelated to LB962.
More Information
If you have questions or would like more information about LB962, please contact Water Resources Manager Larry Angle.