Cease & Desist Orders to be Issued for Nitrogen Management Violations

On May 28, 2026, the Central Platte NRD Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at the CPNRD office, 215 N. Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island.

Tricia Dudley, Water Quality Specialist for the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD), updated the Board on certified letters recently sent to producers who are in violation of the district’s Nitrogen Management Program. These letters are part of CPNRD’s Groundwater Quality Management Program and are sent to producers and landowners in Phase II and Phase III management areas who fail to submit annual crop reports, provide required water and soil samples, or meet Nitrogen educational testing requirements.

Annual crop reports and water and soil sampling are required to help producers evaluate nitrogen management practices and assist the NRD in monitoring and protecting groundwater quality.

The Board approved a motion to file cease-and-desist orders to 37 producers for these violations. Once compliance is achieved, the Board may lift or modify the cease-and-desist order to ensure future compliance. Intentional violations of a cease-and-desist order are subject to civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per day.

To learn contact Tricia Dudley at dudley@cpnrd.org  |  308-395-7213 or visit  Groundwater Quality Program