Board Meetings

Board meetings are held at 2:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month (unless stated otherwise) at the Central Platte NRD office located at 215 Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island, NE 68803. Contact 308-385-6282 for details.

October Board Meeting

UPCOMING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING - Thursday, October 26, 2023
2:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
Central Platte NRD Office - 215 Kaufman Ave Grand Island NE

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SEPTEMBER BOARD MEETING - ACTION
Held Thursday, September 28, 2023
Central Platte NRD Office, 215 Kaufman Ave. Grand Island NE

EA Presents Cover Crop Impact Study to Central Platte NRD Board
Dan Bigbee, Senior Environmental Scientist at EA Engineering, Science & Technology, presented the results of a cover crop study to the Central Platte NRD’s Board of Directors on Thursday. The Central Platte and Lower Loup NRDs partnered on a study to determine impacts on groundwater due to cover crop management. The Lower Loup Basin and Central Platte River Basin have diverse soil types and cropping practices that affect both water quantity and quality. The study researched the general influence of cereal rye cover crops on soil moisture, groundwater recharge, and nitrogen movement in the soil between the South Loup and Wood Rivers.  In 2019, an extended agreement was approved for a three-year study to determine the amount of water required to grow cover crops. Bigbee said the results that targeted northern Buffalo County where the Lower Loup and Central Platte NRDs have experienced localized groundwater declines, showed minimal seasonal impact of groundwater recharge on fields that implement cover crops compared to non-cover crop fields. Nitrate sampling comparing groundwater contamination on cover crop and non-cover crop fields showed a minor decrease in nitrate levels.

AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

-Groundwater Management Rules & Regulations  The NRD’s Water Quality and Water Utilization committees reviewed draft changes to the CPNRD’s Rules & Regulations for the Enforcement of the Nebraska Groundwater Management and Protection Act. The Board scheduled a public hearing on the changes to be held at 1:45 p.m. on November 16, 2023. Approval of the proposed Rules & Regulations will be considered at the November meeting.

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

  • Nebraska Research District Agronomist Central Platte NRD will start advertising for a district agronomist when the agreement with UNL is finalized. The position will assist Dean Krull, UNL/CPNRD Demonstration Project Coordinator, and collect data for USDA research.
  • Integrated Programs Coordinator Andy Bishop, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, was successful in writing a grant for a shared position between the Central Platte and Tri-Basin NRDs to assist NRCS and the NRDs in promoting USDA conservation programs. The position will be advertised in the next few months.
  • B1 Reservoir Potential credit for not diverting water into B1 Reservoir near Lexington, except during excess flows, will be explored further. Vogt also reported that CPNRD was recently contacted by the Platte Basin Timelapse and the National Guard to install a camera at the reservoir to monitor wildlife.
  • MESONET The Central Platte NRD sponsors six MESONET weather stations within the District at $3,000 per year for each station. UNL and many other entities are interested in expanding the network statewide, which may result in up to 200 stations. To move forward, the project would require Legislative funding.

-Longitude 103 Contract  The Board approved a contract with Longitude 103 for ongoing support of the NRD’s current online transfer tool and the groundwater management producer reporting tool not to exceed $50,000.

-Long Range Implementation Plan  The Board approved the 2023 Long Range Implementation Plan. The Plan summarizes district activities including projections of financial, manpower, and land right needs of the district for the next five years.

-Executive Committee  The Executive Committee gave approval to staff to work with the Natural Resources Commission and Nebraska Department of Roads to potentially sell soil from the Upper Prairie Silver Moores Project to assist with a major road project in Hall County.

-Nebraska Association of Resources District (NARD)  Deb VanMatre, CPNRD Representative, reported that the NARD’s annual conference held this month was a success with over 400 people in attendance. During the Business Session, directors were encouraged to contact their County Farm Bureau delegates regarding Nebraska Farm Bureau’s proposed policy to introduce a Legislative Bill to take taxing authority away from Natural Resource Districts. If introduced as a Legislative Bill and approved by the Legislature, the NRDs would no longer be able to use local funding sources to match state grants to provide municipal protection for flood reduction, water quality, water use management, etc. The survey is available at www.nefb.org/08/04/2023/nrd-taxing-authority. VanMatre also provided a survey from those who attended the Basin Tour in the Central Platte NRD. Vogt said the tour was well-received.

-Service Awards  At the NARD Annual Conference, Dan Clement, Water Resources Specialist, and Deb Jarzynka, District Secretary were recognized for 35 years of service to the Central Platte NRD.

-Natural Resources Conservation Service  Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, reported on the FY 2023 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) activities in the CPNRD. Krolikowski reported that the FY 2024 application deadline is November 17, 2023.  Jason Scholz, Resource Conservationist, provided the following activity report for Hall County:

Federally funded programs/practice types

  • Irrigation conversions/dryland total 516 acres for $243,882
  • CRP 60.5 Ac general, 503 acres grassland
  • CSP Total of 5,100 acres to implement multiple different activities. Examples include Nutrient/pest management, cover crops, grazing practices, adding a resource conserving crop, etc. for $400,000.

NRD funded programs/practice types

  • Windbreak plantings five cost share tree plantings for $6,632.
  • Irrigation conversion total 529 acres treated for $49,877.
  • Rangeland improvements 38 acres cedar clearing for $3,031.

Combined funding and total acres

  • Irrigation related projects 1,044 acres treated total cost of $293,759.
  • Rangeland improvement 38 acres cedars cleared for $3,031.
  • CRP 564 acres combined enrollment.
  • CSP 5,100 acres treated for $400,000 for various activities to be implemented.
  • Windbreak Plantings five tree planting plans, usually around .5 acre per planting.
  • Over 6,700 acres covered through financial assistance for various conservation activities.

-Cost-Share  Seven applications for range management, underground pipe, center pivot incentive, streambank stabilization and cover crops were approved in the amount of $21,906.10 through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs.

-Upcoming Board Meetings  October 26, November 16, December 21

Board By-Laws

Board Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month unless specified otherwise.
Time:
  2:00 p.m.
Location:  Central Platte NRD Office - 215 Kaufman Ave, Grand Island, NE 68803
The CPNRD board room will be available for public participation in the meeting. Social distancing guidelines encouraged.

08/31/2023
Board Sets Levy for 2024
07/27/2023
2024 FY Budget Approved
06/29/2023
2024 Draft Budget Approved for Public Hearing
May
05/25/2023
Groundwater Management Plan Approved
04/27/2023
Search Committee Selected for SubDistrict 8
03/30/2023
Mike Wilkens of Gibbon Appointed to CPNRD Board
02/23/2023
CPNRD to Move Forward with Bids for Proposed Ed/Office Building
01/26/2023
Bendfeldt Steps Down from CPNRD
12/15/2022
Amended Water Service Agreement Approved
11/17/2022
Infrared Photography Approved for Water Quality
10/27/2022
Public Information Meetings for Groundwater Management Plan
09/22/2022
Urban Conservation Program Revisions Approved
09/01/2022
Board Sets Levy for 2023 Budget
07/28/2022
Board Approves 2023 FY Budget
06/30/2022
Groundwater Levels Showing Decreases
05/26/2022
Olsson Updates Board on Ground Water Management Plan Rewrite
04/28/2022
Update on Flood Design Projects
03/24/2022
Bell Reports on Health & Water Quality Research
02/24/2022
NRD Crane Viewing Sites Ready for Spring Migration
01/27/2022
Municipal Water Bank Approved by CPNRD Board
12/17/2021
JEO Presents Flood Reduction Alternatives on Lower Wood River Watershed
11/18/2021
NRD Board Approves Redistricting Modifications
10/28/2021
Farnsworth Updates CPNRD Board on Platte River Program
09/23/2021
JEO Presents Drought Mitigation Plan
09/02/2021
CPNRD Board Sets Lower Property Tax Levy
07/22/2021
Cover Crop Impact Study Shows Minimal Impact on Groundwater Availability
06/24/2021
Zone Nitrate Reduced by 10% within CPNRD
05/27/2021
Precision Conservation Management Specialist Position Approved
04/22/2021
Flood Monitoring Agreement Approved
03/25/2021
Central Platte NRD to Start Dam Rehabilitations
02/25/2021
Downey Drilling Selected to Construct Monitoring Wells
01/28/2021
New Officers & Directors on Central Platte NRD Board
12/17/2020
Two Seats Open on CPNRD Board
11/19/2020
Drainage & Acreage Reserve Programs Approved
10/22/2020
Floodplain Maps Explained
09/24/2020
JEO Selected to Develop Elm/Turkey Creek Environmental Assessment
09/03/2020
CPNRD's 2021 Budget Levy Down
07/23/2020
2021 Fiscal Budget Approved
06/25/2020
Groundwater Levels Continue to Increase
05/28/2020
FEMA Releases New Flood Maps in Central Platte NRD for parts of Hall County & Northwest Grand Island
04/23/2020
CPNRD Selects College Scholarship Recipients
03/26/2020
CPNRD Continues Funding for GeoCloud Project
02/27/2020
Board Selects Fire Contractor
01/23/2020
VanMatre & Ostermeier Elected CPNRD Secretary and Treasurer
12/21/2019
Historic Groundwater Level Increases
11/21/2019
58 Producers to Receive Cease & Desist Orders
10/24/2019
Buyout Options in Flood-Prone Areas
09/26/2019
Board Supports Platte Valley Industrial Park Request
08/29/2019
2020 Budget Levy Down
07/25/2019
NRD Receives Izaak Walton League Awards for Groundwater Festival
06/27/2019
Spring Water Levels Increase Throughout CPNRD
05/23/2019
Board Approves Plans for Public Hearings
04/25/2019
Board Approves College Scholarships
03/28/2019
Board Views Impacts of Flood Risk Reduction Projects
02/28/2019
Flood Control Project Contract Approved
01/24/2019
Bohn Appointed to Sub-District 4
12/20/2018
Bendfeldt/Reynolds Board Chair & Vice-Chair
11/01/2018
(Meeting Minutes Unavailable) -94 Producers to Receive Cease & Desist Orders
10/25/2018
New Rules & Regs to Take Effect Nov. 1
09/27/2018
Changes Made to Groundwater Management Rules & Regs
08/30/2018
Lower Property Tax Request Set
07/26/2018
Budget Reduced by $4.5 Million
06/28/2018
Spring Groundwater Levels Show Increase
05/24/2018
180-Day Temporary Stay- Effective Immediately
04/26/2018
25,800 Acres Treated for Phragmites in CPNRD
03/29/2018
CPNRD Buys 157 Acres for Groundwater Recharge
02/22/2018
Board Approves Drought Mitigation Contract
01/25/2018
Board Elects Secretary and Treasurer

By-Laws

The Central Platte NRD’s By-Laws were updated in March 2021.