Board Approves Donation of Hay Bales to Producers Affected by Wildfires

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

At its September 24^th meeting, the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors voted to donate 116 round hay bales to producers in the western part of the District affected by this summer’s wildfires. The hay bales were harvested from CPNRD’s flood reduction sites. Other action and discussion:

Building Committee
Mick Reynolds, Building Committee Chairman, reported that the Building Committee met at the site of CPNRD’s new office and education center to review progress. Staff are expected to move into the facility in mid-November.

Water Quality Committee
Jerry Milner, Water Quality Chairman, reported that the Committee met to discuss Nitrogen Management Program violations but took no action.

Manager’s Report
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported that staff are working to:

• Update CPNRD’s Groundwater Management Plan, which guides groundwater management decisions across the District.
• Enter data into the Longitude 103 platform to support producers’ nitrogen management crop reports and nitrate application recommendations.
• Prepare to implement Nebraska’s voluntary ONE RED Ag Data Bank and Grants Program in the coming year. The program is designed to provide producers with financial incentives and grant funding for technologies and practices that improve water management, nutrient efficiency and soil health.

Annual Water Use Report
Jesse Mintken, Assistant Manager, provided a summary of the Annual Report of Water Use Activities in the Central Platte NRD. The report summarizes certified irrigated acres, transfers, well permits, and water-banking activities updated annually for the Platte Basin Meeting. For calendar year 2025, the CPNRD recorded 1,018,231 total certified irrigated acres including groundwater and surface water co-mingled acres. The District approved 74 transfer transactions affecting 1,356 acres and issued 62 well construction permits.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Report
Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, reported on the FY2026 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CStP) within the CPNRD. Below is a summary of the FY2026 contracts:

• Water Conservation: $4,627,789.97 (29 contracts/2,676.6 acres)
• Grazing Lands: $1,230,555.36 (47 contracts/18,886.9 acres)
• Soil Health: $2,757,857.43 (20 contracts/17,566.9 acres)
• Conservation Activity Plans & Burn: $0.00 (0 contracts/0.0 acres)
• Forestry/Wetland/Wildlife Improvement: $0.00 (0 contracts/0.0 acres)
• High Tunnels and Small-Scale & Urban Agriculture Projects: $0.00 (0 contracts/0.0 acres)

Jason Scholz, Resource Conservationist with the Grand Island Field Office, provided an overview of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) in Hall County. The program assists producers and landowners in building on existing conservation efforts by addressing natural resource concerns and expanding stewardship practices. NRCS works with participants to develop plans tailored to individual operations, which may include measures to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency or enhance wildlife habitat. Technical and financial assistance may be available for eligible conservation activities.

Financial Report
The September financial report was approved.

Cost-Share Application
One cover crop application was approved for $2,000 through the Central Platte NRD Cost-Share Program.

Upcoming Board Meetings 
October 22, November 19, December 17