September Board Meeting

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

Luke Ourada Appointed to Central Platte NRD Board

The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors appointed Luke Ourada of Elm Creek to fill the vacant seat in Subdistrict 3 during their September meeting. Ourada succeeds Steve Sheen who stepped down in June after serving on the Board for 18 years. Ourada will serve through December 2026 and must file for the February 2027 primary election to be considered for an additional four-year term.

Industrial Well Permit
The Board approved a new commercial-industrial well permit in Hall County with the following conditions:

1. Grand Island Hospital Holdings LLC must complete an approved transfer of irrigated acres to offset the new use within two years of drilling the well. CPNRD will sell water to the permit holder for up to two years until the permanent offsets can be secured.
2. A District approved meter must be installed.
3. An annual report on the amount water pumped must be submitted to CPNRD.

New Office and Education Center
The Board approved the Building Committee’s recommendation to accept a bid proposal from i.e. Design of Lincoln for office furniture not to exceed $340,000. The Board also approved advertising for bids on a new 60’ x 145’ maintenance building at the office site, with a recommendation expected at the October meeting. Larger equipment and surplus furniture will be offered for sale to other NRDs that have already expressed interest.

Manager’s Report

• Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP): The Land Advisory Committee reported to the Governance Committee that populations of Whooping Cranes, Piping Plovers, and Least Terns have all increased, and the First Increment Goal for land acquisition is close to being met. The Land Plan aims to protect and restore 10,000 acres of habitat for these species.
• City of Gothenburg: CPNRD staff met with city officials regarding water needs for Project Meadowlark, a proposed $750 million liquid fertilizer facility. Meadowlark will serve farmers within a 150-mile radius and is projected to begin production in late 2028.

Nitrate Legacy & Drinking Water Committee
Director Tom Downey reported that three priorities under consideration include: implementing statewide meters, prohibiting fall fertilizer application, and expanding educational outreach for private well owners and municipalities.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Report
District Conservationist Joe Krolikowski presented a summary of FY2025 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) contracts in the District, totaling 39 contracts on 7,901.8 acres for $2.2 million. Resource Conservationist Jason Schulz also highlighted Small Scale Urban Projects, including high/low tunnels, irrigation practices, composting facilities, and nutrient/pest management.

Financial & Cost-Share Reports
The September financial report was approved. Three cost-share applications for burn preparation, prescribed burning, and cover crops were approved through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and CPNRD cost-share programs totaling $8,324.

Upcoming Board Meetings
October 23, 2025
November 13, 2025
December 18, 2025