| |
News and Information
| |
The NRD will hold a public hearing on the revisions to the Groundwater Quantity Rules and Regulations on Thursday August 25, 2022 at 6:00PM at the NRD office.
See Notice of Public Hearing below for more information.
The Lower Big Blue NRD Board of Directors voted to approve the current Groundwater Quantity Rules and Regulations on March 27, 2014. After 8 years of operating under these rules and regulations, receiving numerous comments from the public, holding extensive discussion between Board members and District staff, as the District’s groundwater quantity concerns have evolved, and as it is the responsibility of the District to manage groundwater quantity, it is therefore reasonable and prudent to revise the District’s Groundwater Quantity Rules and Regulations.
The main goal in revising the District’s groundwater quantity rules and regulations was to clarify and update the language throughout the document to make it more concise and to convey the intentions of the District clearly and accurately. The District also wanted to include revisions to the rules and regulations that address the current issues that have arisen since adoption of these rules in 2014 while still providing protection of existing municipal, domestic and irrigation wells and the overall protection of the District’s groundwater aquifers.
Listed below is the Notice of Public Hearing, the revised Groundwater Quantity Rules and Regulations (revisions are in blue text), a summary of the revisions to the Groundwater Quantity Rules and Regulations, and revised permit applications for Water Wells, Groundwater Transfers, and Groundwater Conveyance into a Water Impoundment Structure or Stream.
The Lower Big Blue NRD, in partnership with NRCS, NDEE and Nebraska Extension are looking for involvement from produces with land in the Turkey Creek watershed. The Turkey Creek National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) project aims to address water quality concerns for nitrates, Atrazine, and E. Coli. The project encompasses more than 75,000 acres from Southwest of Crete to Southwest of DeWitt and includes the Wellhead protection areas for the city of Wilber and DeWitt. A map of the project area is attached.
Cost-share and incentives will be provided through this project to assist producers in adopting Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to reduce E. coli, Atrazine and nitrate contamination. Featured BMPs will include, but not be limited to: cover crops, crop rotation including: small grains, integrated pest management to reduce Atrazine use, nutrient and irrigation management to improve timing and reduce the quantity of nitrogen and water applications, manure composting and storage, improved grazing management and limited stream access, restoration of stream buffers and riparian zones, and upgrading residential septic systems.
If you are interested in learning more about the cost share opportunities, you are encouraged to contact Jerry Bucy, Special Projects Coordinator at 402-228-3402 or 
bucy@lbbnrd.net.
The NRD managed recreation, public use, and wildlife management areas are open once again for this year. Come and see all the things these areas have to offer! Check out the RECREATION page for more information on all our areas.
Visit the NDEE website (https://deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/) for information on E.coli and harmful algal blooms.
Want to maximize your yield?
Want to reduce your costs to irrigate?
Want to conserve your groundwater resources?
These are just a few reasons to measure the soil moisture in your field during the upcoming growing season. Soil moisture sensors are available for purchase from the NRD. Cost-share is available on those sensors or other forms of soil moisture monitoring equipment. Visit our MOISTURE SENSORS page to learn more about our soil moisture sensor program. We will receive cost-share orders until March 31st. The order/cost-share form is available on the website.
| |
1. Please click on the button to take the nitrogen certification test.
