Celebrating 49 years of Conservation!
/July 2021 marks 49 years of protecting lives, protecting property, and protecting the future of natural resources for Nebraska’s 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRDs). NRDs are unique because they are governed by locally elected boards and Nebraska is the only state to have this system.
Senator Maurice Kremer introduced and the Nebraska Legislature enacted Legislative Bill (LB) 1357 in 1969 to combine Nebraska’s 154 special purpose entities into 24 Natural Resources Districts by July 1972. The original 24 NRDs’ boundaries were organized based on Nebraska’s major river basins which allows for better management practices to be applied to similar topography. In 1989, the Middle Missouri NRD and the Papio NRD were merged into one, becoming the Papio-Missouri River NRD which resulted in the current 23-NRD system.
“Nebraska’s 23 NRDs have been involved in a wide variety of projects and programs to conserve and protect the state’s natural resources since 1972,” said Julie Wragge, Information & Education Specialist for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) in Norfolk.
Wragge added, “NRDs are charged under state law with 12 areas of responsibility including flood control, soil erosion, and groundwater management. While all NRDs share the 12 main responsibilities, each district sets its own priorities and develops programs to best serve local needs, protecting Nebraska’s natural resources for future generations.”
NRDs are local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect our natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond best to local conservation and resource management needs. To learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs visit www.nrdnet.org or your local NRD website.
Healthy soils positively impact groundwater quality
/Soil is one of the most essential natural resources. It affects every part of our day, from the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Soil health is the capacity of the soil to function as a living ecosystem, nourishing plants and sustaining animals and people.
At their June meeting, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors learned more about soil nutrients through a presentation from the University of Nebraska’s Dr. Chittaranjan Ray, Professor and Director of the Nebraska Water Center and Michael Kaiser, Assistant Professor of Soil and Water Sciences. The pair discussed many soil chemistry concepts and answered questions.
Soil becomes healthier when organic matter levels increase (carbon sequestration), water infiltration rates improve (reducing erosion, runoff, and flooding), and the soil biological life is diverse and plentiful.
Soil nutrients exist as positively charged or negatively charged ions when dissolved. The positively charged ions are known as cations and the negatively charged ions are known as anions.
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) is a soil chemical property. It is the ability of the soil to hold or store cations. When soil particles are negatively charged, they attract and hold on to cations (positively charged ions) like calcium, potassium, and sodium, stopping them from being leached down the soil profile. On the other hand, negatively charged soil particles repel anions (negatively charged ions). The implication of this is that negatively charged nutrients such as nitrate, sulphate, and chloride are vulnerable to leaching down the soil profile.
LENRD Assistant Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “It is often assumed that the CEC value can generally be utilized when considering the timing and amount of nitrogen that can be applied as fertilizer, but as Professor Kaiser illustrated in his presentation, there are a host of variables outside of our control which influence the soil’s ability to retain the nitrogen within the rootzone for later utilization by plant roots.”
In other action, the board rejected all bids for the Willow Creek Dam Pore Pressure Mitigation – Phase 1 Project and authorized the general manager to sign a contract with Dietz Well for completion of 2 test holes and 2 production wells at the Willow Creek Dam, southwest of Pierce, not to exceed $92,240.00.
The board also ratified the LR23 report for the Nebraska Legislature. The progress report was requested from the LENRD board and was submitted on June 21st.
In other business, the board accepted the proposal from the University of Nebraska to conduct certain research related to the characterization of groundwater nitrate using stable isotope analysis within the district and authorized the general manager to sign the project agreement, not to exceed $17,712.00.
The board also approved the salary adjustments for the cost of living at 5.60% and approved the step and grade changes proposed by management for Fiscal Year 2022.
Anthony Wisnieski of Norfolk was sworn in to fill the vacant seat in Subdistrict 3, due to the retirement of Bob Huntley of Norfolk. Anthony is originally from Dodge and moved to Norfolk in 1996. He is part owner of Building Green Structures and is currently on the Energy Panel Structures Dealer Advisory Board. Anthony’s priorities include providing clean and safe drinking water for future generations.
To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, July 22nd at LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.
Anthony Wisnieski of Norfolk takes the Oath of Office at the June Board Meeting. Anthony fills the vacant seat in Subdistrict 3, due to the retirement of Bob Huntley of Norfolk.
Bazile Groundwater Management Area receives grant from Nebraska Environmental Trust
/Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA) will receive $209,500 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) for the “Development of Research and Demonstration Sites in the BGMA for Groundwater Nitrate Reduction” project. The project is one of the 113 projects receiving $18,350,515 in grant awards from the Nebraska Environmental Trust this year. Of these, 42 were new applications and 71 are carry-over projects.
Located in northeastern Nebraska, the BGMA was formed collaboratively between the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD), Upper Elkhorn NRD, Lower Niobrara NRD, Lewis and Clark NRD, and Department of Environment & Energy to address high nitrate levels in the area. Since its formation in 2013, the BGMA has been dedicated to increasing education of agricultural producers and increasing the implementation of best management practices. To further this effort, the BGMA has partnered with the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension and the Nebraska Water Center, part of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska to design the proposed project. This project will develop three advanced nitrogen and water management research and demonstration sites, conduct annual field days and educational meetings, and provide an analysis of the success of various water and nitrogen application methods utilized. Through innovative education and demonstration, this project will encourage widespread adoption of improved practices, positively impacting ground and surface water quality and soil management. This project is a vital step forward in stabilizing, and eventually reducing, nitrate levels within the BGMA as experts in natural resource management, with the help of NET, target this serious issue.
The Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992. Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided over $349 million in grants to over 2,400 projects across the state. Anyone – citizens, organizations, communities, farmers and businesses – can apply for funding to protect habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in Nebraska. The Nebraska Environmental Trust works to preserve, protect and restore our natural resources for future generations.
Lower Elkhorn NRD receives grant from Nebraska Environmental Trust
/The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) will receive $8,750 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the “Establish Baseline Vadose Zone Sampling - Pierce County” project. The Trust Board announced funding for the project, which is one of 113 projects receiving $18,350,515 in grant awards from the Nebraska Environmental Trust this year. Of these, 42 were new applications and 71 are carry-over projects.
Within the LENRD, citizens rely on groundwater as the primary source of water for all uses. Maintaining a safe drinking water source is one of the most important priorities of the LENRD. This has been increasingly difficult within areas of Pierce County, as groundwater nitrate levels in many areas have remained above safe levels, and in some areas, continue to increase. This is supported by over 40 years of groundwater sampling by the LENRD. Through this project, the LENRD will expand its groundwater monitoring program by establishing baseline vadose zone nitrate data. Through the collection of a minimum of 11 cores spread throughout the area of Pierce County designated as the Phase 3 Groundwater Management Area, the LENRD will be able to determine the nitrate load moving through the soil profile, and will monitor the nitrate load in response to best management practices being implemented by producers. After establishing this baseline data, the LENRD intends to return to the sample location sites every 5 years for additional monitoring. The LENRD requests the Nebraska Environmental Trust to fund a portion of this project, which is being led by the LENRD.
The Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992. Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided over $349 million in grants to over 2,400 projects across the state. Anyone – citizens, organizations, communities, farmers and businesses – can apply for funding to protect habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in Nebraska. The Nebraska Environmental Trust works to preserve, protect and restore our natural resources for future generations.
"Stars, Strolls, & S'mores" events taking place this summer
/Do you like s’mores? What about moonlit walks? How about heading out for an adventure as the sun goes down? The Norfolk area is full of opportunities to explore nature. The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District, and the Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau want to help you discover your area trails, lakes, and wild places while highlighting the unique opportunities nighttime offers with our FREE Moon Walk events, “Stars, Strolls & S’mores.”
“The purpose of the moon walk is to provide a family-oriented activity that introduces people to the wonders that can be found in their neck of the woods,” said Julie Wragge, Information & Education Specialist for the Lower Elkhorn NRD. She added, “Our local lakes and rivers provide countless opportunities to discover and learn more about our water, soil, and wildlife.”
The Moon Walks will be held on Wednesday evenings close to the full moon and begin at 7:30 p.m. Most Moon Walks last for 1-2 hours. Participants will walk an average of 1 mile round trip. Each Moon Walk starts with a short introduction of that evening’s program, followed by a hike to a designated area where we enjoy presentations. Presenters are experts in their field and are from our local community. The evening wraps up with FREE s’mores!
The first event will be held on Wednesday, June 23rd at the Yellowbanks Wildlife Management Area, 3 miles north and 2.5 west of Battle Creek. Presentations will include an interesting view of the Elkhorn River, as we learn about how rivers can move and change. There will also be a nature scavenger hunt.
The second “moon walk” will be Wednesday, July 21st at Skyview Lake in Norfolk. Presentations will include Kayaking 101, and Mothing: the nighttime addiction.
The final night will be Wednesday, August 25th at Red Road Herbs Retreat & Learning Center on 835 Road near Stanton. Presentations will include beginner Dutch Oven cooking, and Worthy Weeds.
Wragge added, “Since the events take place close to home, we encourage everyone to join us and bring your friends and neighbors.”
Event Brochure
Applications being taken for board vacancy
/Due to a vacancy on the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District’s Board of Directors, applications are being taken to fill the first two years (2021-2022) of a four year term for Subdistrict 3. Applicants must be registered voters and reside within the boundary of the Subdistrict shown below. A more detailed map is available at the Lower Elkhorn NRD office.
Interested persons should contact the Lower Elkhorn NRD, 1508 Square Turn Blvd, Norfolk NE 68701, 402-371-7313 or email General Manager, Mike Sousek: msousek@lenrd.org
A resume’ should be submitted to the Lower Elkhorn NRD by June 18, 2021.
Subdistrict 3 Map
This position was held by Bob Huntley of Norfolk since 2005. Bob has resigned to spend more time with his family. He was a dedicated board member and will be greatly missed by the board, staff, and the people he represented. Best wishes always Bob!
Bob Huntley - Former Director - Subdistrict 3
High levels of nitrate in our groundwater pose challenges for the future
/The effects of groundwater contamination can be felt across the state, with most of the pollution sources pointing to commercial fertilizers. Applying the right form at the right time at the right rate in the right place - this method of nitrogen management is referred to as the “4Rs”. By using this method, producers can save time and money, all while protecting our groundwater.
One of the responsibilities of the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is the development, management, utilization, and conservation of groundwater. At the LENRD’s May board meeting, the members discussed ways to work together in managing resources for the future.
LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “We have a rich history of agriculture in this state. We want to work with producers to proactively manage our resources and secure the future that we desire for our children and grandchildren.” He added, “As we continue to assess the nitrogen contamination across northeast Nebraska, we’ll be working to develop management plans as we challenge each other to improve the ways we protect our groundwater.”
The LENRD launched a website, bringing to light the concerns that are plaguing northeast Nebraska. Visit www.nitrateinwater.org to find out more about the rising levels of nitrate in our groundwater and the steps that are being taken to address the environmental and health issues associated with this problem.
Also, during the meeting, the board denied the additional funding request from the City of Randolph for Phase 2 of their flood control project in the amount of $356,952.25. Phase 1 construction is underway and almost completed. The Phase 2 design is nearing completion, with the estimated total costs coming in higher than the original estimate.
The LENRD has been partnering with the city on this project for the past 18 years and have contributed over $1.97 million to date. The LENRD also assisted with the costs to study the project area for a total of $165,319.53. Through the studies, it was determined the most cost-effective option was the widening of the Middle Logan Creek channel that runs through Randolph. This project will allow for a large portion of the city to be taken out of the 100-year flood plain.
The board approved a bid from Unkel Construction to repair or replace the living room window at the superintendent’s residence at Maskenthine Lake, not to exceed $8,000.
The board also approved the Wellness Program for staff for a total of $3,220. The Program encourages employees to take advantage of the wellness benefits available through the NARD health insurance, especially blood screenings. Flu shots are also provided for the staff as well as incentives for increasing physical activity and healthy eating.
In other action, the board accepted, with regret, the resignation of fellow board member Bob Huntley of Norfolk. In a letter to the board Bob said, “I was proud to represent the people of Subdistrict 3 and hope my replacement will be as dedicated as I have been over the years.” Bob served on the board since 2005. The board will advertise to fill the position.
To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, June 24th at LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.
We're ready to design your next project!
/Whether you’re putting in a new windbreak around your homestead, to protect your livestock, or to enhance wildlife habitat, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) has a cost share program to help with the purchasing of conservation grade trees, planting those trees, and also putting down the conservation weed barrier mulch. Do you need assistance with picking out the trees or shrubs and what spacing they should be within the row? No problem, the LENRD staff are here to help you design and develop your windbreak. Contact LENRD Natural Resources Technician, Todd Stewart at: tstewart@lenrd.org
DID YOU PURCHASE SEEDLINGS FROM US THIS YEAR?
IF NOT, IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR! WE'LL BEGIN SELLING TREES AGAIN IN NOVEMBER. GIVE US A CALL AND LET'S DESIGN YOUR PROJECT TODAY!
Chemigation permits due June 1st
/Farmers planning to chemigate during the 2021 growing season must renew chemigation permits by June 1st to meet state deadline requirements, according to Josh Schnitzler, Water Resources Coordinator for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD).
Chemigation is the application of any chemical, fertilizer or pesticide through an irrigation system. To legally chemigate in Nebraska, an operator must be certified to apply chemicals and obtain a chemigation permit from their local NRD.
"Farmers holding chemigation permits, even if they are uncertain whether they will chemigate later this year, should consider renewing their permits by June 1," Schnitzler said. Schnitzler is encouraging area producers to reapply by the state-required deadline to avoid the increased cost and possible delays of an inspection.
An irrigation system that has not been renewed prior to the June 1 deadline cannot apply chemicals through the system until a new permit is obtained. Chemigation renewal permits cost $20. New chemigation permits cost $50, and the applicant cannot use the system until it passes a mandatory inspection. All permits must be submitted to the LENRD office at 1508 Square Turn Boulevard in Norfolk.
By renewing a permit by June 1, a producer may proceed with chemigation. An inspection does not have to be performed prior to chemigation for a renewal application, Schnitzler said. However, a random chemigation inspection may be necessary later in the season as part of the LENRD's routine summer inspections as required by state law.
Applicants must have the signature of a certified applicator on their application form. Schnitzler stated, “In order to be certified, a person must complete a chemigation safety course and pass an exam once every four years.”
If chemigating is necessary, on short notice, emergency permits can be obtained at a cost of $250. Irrigation systems meeting chemigation law standards will then be allowed to operate within 72 hours.
Approximately 1,963 chemigation permits were approved by the LENRD in 2020. For more information on renewing or obtaining chemigation permits, call the LENRD office in Norfolk at 402-371-7313.
More Information
Using the Hazard Mitigation Planning Process for Hazard-Specific Action
/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region 7, Hazard Mitigation Planning Spotlight: Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District, Nebraska
Challenge: Multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation planning can be an effective process to build partnerships between communities that face common hazard risks, leading to shared solutions. It can also help build a foundation to shift priorities as risks and vulnerabilities change. Since 2008, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) has coordinated hazard mitigation planning for its planning area, which covers more than 2.5 million acres; this includes 47 cities, towns, and villages across 15 counties, and vast areas of agricultural land.
The highest priority hazard identified by communities in LENRD’s 2012 hazard mitigation plan was flooding, but that all changed after the plan was adopted. That same year, Nebraska experienced a severe drought - what would eventually be categorized as a D4: Exceptional Drought (the most severe rating on the U. S. Drought Monitor [USDM] intensity scale).
The largely rural area was hit hard, as many wells didn’t perform, and groundwater became limited for agricultural production and community use. Due to the size of LENRD’s planning area, there are a variety of stakeholders with differing needs, including farmers, ranchers, industry, rural residents on individual wells, and urban residents and business owners on municipal water systems. The impacts of the drought were not experienced equally across the entire planning area, leading to tension between stakeholders in different parts of the watershed. Coordination and planning were needed to identify and to implement the array of solutions required to address the shared problem in a timely manner. As with any natural disaster, emotions can run high in a drought, often leading to irrational responses. Advanced planning can help public agencies and stakeholders develop a decision-making strategy for the onset of a disaster.
Solution: Fortunately, the 2012 drought began to ease after one year, although parts of the region would continue to experience some level of drought until 2014. However, the event gave LENRD the impetus it needed to launch a planning effort to address future droughts. It responded by using the networks it had used for hazard mitigation planning to address this new, high-priority natural hazard.
LENRD staff kicked off drought planning in 2016, inviting stakeholders from across the district to a Drought Tournament. Participants were divided into teams and given a multi-year drought scenario to address. Early in the scenario, drought was a relatively easy problem to manage, but as the hypothetical drought intensified, players soon realized the scope and negative impacts that drought can have across a region.
The tournament educated stakeholders about the reality of drought and was used as a brainstorming session to identify community-level solutions to a regional problem. The resulting drought plan was finalized in January 2017 and incorporated as an annex of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. It identifies a common language for talking about, and for triggering, responses to drought based on the USDM scale created by the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It also recommends responses for different stakeholders, including suggestions for limiting water use based on observed drought conditions from the NDMC. Continual education is important to make sure all stakeholders are aware of the effects of drought.
Lessons Learned
LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, advised other organizations with large planning areas not to try to tackle projects alone. Getting input from a full range of stakeholders is critical, but it can be challenging over a large area. He advised planners to engage with experts, including university resources, and to use consultants who can help with the logistical aspects of outreach and planning.
The five-year cycle of the hazard mitigation planning process provides an opportunity to keep the impacts of natural hazards in front of stakeholders, even when the hazards have not occurred recently. However, LENRD doesn’t rely on this effort to keep hazard awareness at the forefront. LENRD also actively uses social media to remind residents about the realities of drought and other hazards, and to remind them that they must be united in reducing and facing hazard impacts.
Planning for Action
LENRD is one of 23 watershed-level Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) within the state of Nebraska. Many NRDs have taken on the responsibility of hazard mitigation planning in their watershed. The LENRD drought plan was the first of its kind in the state, but it sparked similar projects in several other districts.
The LENRD Drought Management plan is a mitigation action that was launched through the hazard mitigation planning process. LENRD’s planners used the public interest generated by a disaster event to mitigate the impacts of that event in the future. LENRD’s success reminds us that the purpose of mitigation planning is mitigation action.
This graphic from the NDMC shows the height of the 2012 drought. These observations are produced weekly and are a valuable tool for local planners.
Scholarships awarded to area graduates
/The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) awarded four scholarships to area High School graduates. The $500 scholarships were given to graduating seniors, within the district, who are planning to further their education in a natural resources or agriculture related field.
The four graduates selected to receive the scholarships were: Abygail Streff of Pierce, Nathaniel Timmerman of West Point, Aspen Lund of West Point, and Mason Mink of Meadow Grove.
Abygail Streff is a graduate of Pierce High School. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and major in Natural Resources and Environmental Economics. Abygail is the daughter of Carla and Tobin Streff of Pierce.
Nathaniel Timmerman is a graduate of Guardian Angels Central Catholic in West Point. He plans to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and major in Agricultural Economics. Nathaniel is the son of Anne and Jeff Timmerman of West Point.
Aspen Lund is a graduate of Guardian Angels Central Catholic in West Point. She plans to attend Chadron State College and major in Rangeland Management. Aspen is the daughter of Nicole and Casey Lund of West Point.
Mason Mink is a graduate of Battle Creek High School. He plans to attend Northeast Community College in Norfolk and major in Mechanized Agriculture. Mason is the son of Lori and Todd Mink of Meadow Grove.
LENRD Information & Education Specialist, Julie Wragge, said, “We’re happy to support students across our district who are furthering their education in the field of natural resources. We encourage all graduates to continue to protect and effectively manage our natural resources for the future.”
Nebraska High School students compete in Envirothon competition; Pender wins Forestry category
/High schoolers from across Nebraska – and a few pelicans – descended on Lake Wanahoo for the 29th annual Nebraska State Envirothon April 28. Ord High School took home the championship along with $1,500 and will represent Nebraska at the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon in July.
Envirothon is an environmental education program for high school students that combines classroom learning and outdoor activities. This year’s competition was hosted at the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District’s Lake Wanahoo near Wahoo.
“Envirothon allows students to get outdoors and learn about natural resources in a hands-on environment,” said Jim Eschliman, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts president. “The activities are designed to help students become environmentally-aware, action-oriented adults, but also exposes them to many exciting career opportunities.”
During the state competition, five-member teams were tested on their knowledge of aquatics, forestry, policy, range, soils and wildlife, as well as prepared and delivered an oral presentation focusing on a current environmental issue.
The 2021 oral presentation theme “Water Resources Management: Local Control, Local Solutions” challenged teams to propose a solution on a complex problem before a panel of judges.
The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Foundation awarded cash prizes to the top three winning teams at the state competition:
First Place ($1,500): Ord
Second Place ($1,000): Norris Team 2
Third Place ($500): Arthur County
Additional prizes were awarded to the top teams in each testing category:
Aquatics: Norris Team 2
Forestry: Pender
Policy: Arthur County, Norris Team 1 and St. Paul
Range: Ord
Soils: Ord and St. Paul
Wildlife: Norris Team 2
Oral Presentation: Concordia
More than 75 teams competed in the regional contests between Feb. 3-5, and 14 teams qualified to participate at the state competition.
Ord will represent Nebraska at the NCF-Envirothon July 25-28, to compete for a top prize of $15,000. The international NCF-Envirothon will be hosted virtually by Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts and will include more than 40 teams from the U.S., Canada and China.
Learn more about the Nebraska Envirothon atwww.nrdnet.org/nebraska-envirothon.
The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), the trade association for Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRD), works with individual districts to protect lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. NRDs are unique to Nebraska, and act as local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska’s natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond to local conservation and resource management needs. Learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs at www.nrdnet.org
Pender High School students took top honors in the Forestry division, from left to right: Liberty Baker, Alexis Bodlak, Reese Kneifl, Claire Felber, And Alex Johnson. Pictured with the students is NARD President, Jim Eschliman.
Protecting natural resources for future generations is LENRD's focus
/High levels of nitrate in our groundwater pose challenges for our future. One of the responsibilities of the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is the development, management, utilization, and conservation of groundwater.
At the LENRD’s April board meeting, the members heard a report on visualizing and assessing nitrogen contamination in northeast Nebraska. The report was given by Jordan Shields, PhD student in the University of Nebraska Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department. The purpose of his project is to leverage existing tools and data to improve scientific understanding of nitrate contamination in the Lower Elkhorn NRD by focusing his research efforts on data digitization and incorporation of data into models, maps, and graphs.
LENRD Assistant Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “We appreciate the research that Jordan is doing and look forward to working with him on this project. This report was the first of several updates that will be given by Jordan, with each update providing a view of the project as new information is integrated into the database.”
The LENRD recently launched a website, bringing to light the concerns that are plaguing northeast Nebraska. Visit www.nitrateinwater.org to find out more about the rising levels of nitrate across the LENRD’s 15-county district and the steps that are being taken to address the environmental and health issues associated with this problem.
Also, during the meeting, the board approved the Urban Recreation Area Development and Urban Conservation Program applications for 2021. The communities and schools receiving grant funding this year include: Carroll, Concord, Emerson, Hadar, Madison, Pierce, Randolph, Wakefield, Woodland Park, Uehling, and Norfolk Public Schools.
LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said, “We look forward to partnering with these communities to complete their urban recreation and conservation projects. If you have a project in need of funding, keep this program in mind for next year. Application packets are mailed out in January throughout our 15-county district.”
The board reviewed a bid to update the electrical panels at the campground at Maskenthine Lake, north of Stanton. This electrical improvement was delayed from last year due to the parts not being available during the pandemic. The bid from JP Electric of Dodge was approved and the work will be completed this summer.
The LENRD recently opened their Maskenthine Lake and Maple Creek Recreation Areas to online reservations. Reservations can be made 30 days in advance of arrival at Bookyoursite.com.
LENRD Recreation Area Superintendent, Leonard Boryca, said, “We’re excited to try the online reservation system. It will be beneficial for those traveling from a distance or wanting to book something in advance.” Boryca added, “There will still be a few sites available at each park as first-come, first-served.”
In other action the board authorized staff to issue notices of violation to farm owners or operators who are out of compliance with the Phase 2 and 3 Groundwater Management Area reporting requirements in Pierce and Madison Counties. LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “These notifications will only be utilized as necessary, and will not curtail the proactive measures of district staff to work cooperatively with producers to get the reports completed.”
To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, May 27th at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Soil & Water Stewardship Week April 25-May 2
/The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Stewardship Week is one of the largest national programs to promote natural resource conservation. Celebrated annually since 1955 between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, the NACD Stewardship Week reminds us of our individual responsibilities to care for natural resources.
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is a member of the NACD and partners with them in celebrating Stewardship Week. This year we celebrate from April 25 - May 2, focusing on the theme “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.” The LENRD’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens across all or parts of the district’s 15-counties, working together to protect our natural resources for future.
“Educating the public about the importance of our connection to our natural resources in our daily lives is an essential part of what conservation districts advocate for in their communities,” said NACD President Michael Crowder. “Trees and forests are critical to providing clean air and water, healthy soil, shade, abundant wildlife habitat, jobs and valuable products we use every day.”
The LENRD can assist you in learning more about trees and the species native to your area. The LENRD can also provide insight on tree planting, care, and maintenance as well as information on how to protect trees from invasive species.
“Local conservation districts have a long-standing history of working with state and private forest owners in helping promote and safeguard our nation’s forested lands,” Crowder said.
Free, downloadable Stewardship Week resources celebrating the theme “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities” are available on NACD’s website at https://www.nacdnet.org/store/.
For more information about Stewardship Week and conservation practices, contact the LENRD office in Norfolk.
The National Association of Conservation Districts is the nonprofit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. For more information about NACD, visit: www.nacdnet.org
Bids requested for Willow Creek Project
/The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is requesting bids for the construction of the Willow Creek Dam Pore Pressure Mitigation - Phase 1. Bids for the construction of the Project will be received at the offices of LENRD located at 1508 Square Turn Boulevard in Norfolk until Monday, May 10, 2021, at 10:00 AM. At that time the bids received will be publicly opened and read. The Project includes the following Work: Drilling, sampling and testing on 6 test holes ranging in depths from 60 feet to 140 feet to determine geological information to inform the installation and pump testing of 2 gravel packed production wells consisting of drilling each well 140 feet, PVC casing and steel well screen and installation of approximately 170 LF of 8-inch diameter PVC pipe and 140 LF of 18-inch diameter PVC pipe and appurtenances; and the installation of 10 piezometers along the downstream face of Willow Creek Dam. See the full bid summary below or contact the LENRD for details at 402-371-7313 or cbecker@lenrd.org
Scholarships available for high school seniors
/The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is offering two $500 scholarships to graduating High School Seniors within the district. These scholarships are available for students who are planning to further their education in a natural resources or agriculture related field. Seniors who are interested should contact their guidance counselor or the Lower Elkhorn NRD office in Norfolk for further information, eligibility requirements, and applications. Scholarship information has been sent to all schools within the district boundaries and is also available below. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 23, 2021.
Scholarship Criteria
Application Form
High levels of nitrate in our groundwater pose challenges for the future
/Almost 300 people attended the Open House Public Hearing at the Nielsen Center in West Point on Thursday night. The public was provided the opportunity to learn more about the rising levels of nitrate in our groundwater, along with the proposed boundaries and requirements in portions of Cuming, Colfax, and Dodge Counties.
The Hearing was hosted by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD), giving the public the opportunity to address the issue, one-on-one, with the Board of Directors and Staff. After engaging in the educational portion of the Open House, the public was invited to either leave written or oral comments for the Board.
LENRD Assistant Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “We were very pleased with the turnout. We hope everyone took advantage of the time to meet with us and get their questions answered as we work together towards a solution that will improve and protect groundwater quality.”
The next step will be to compile the written and oral testimony and present all comments to the board for review. The proposed changes to the Groundwater Management Plan will then be placed on the agenda for discussion at an upcoming board meeting.
LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “It was a successful event and I hope the public left with a better understanding of the challenges the district is facing. We appreciate the feedback and the sharing of local ideas as we develop plans for local solutions.”
The LENRD recently launched a new website which brings to light the concerns that are plaguing northeast Nebraska. Please visit www.nitrateinwater.org to find out more about the rising levels of nitrate across the LENRD’s 15-county district and the steps that are being taken to address the environmental and health issues associated with this problem.
The LENRD board held their March board meeting following the Open House Public Hearing. During the meeting, the board approved an agreement to assist the Village of Winslow with a demolition project for homes destroyed during the 2019 flood. Winslow’s flood levee does not provide protection for a 100-year storm, therefore, the village is looking to relocate out of the floodplain.
The Village applied for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This funding will pay for a percentage of the structures left in the floodplain, and the homeowner would have the option to accept or deny the buyout. The Village would then be responsible for the demolition of the property. The board approved the agreement to cost share with the Village to provide funding for a portion of the demolition, not to exceed $109,562.50.
In other action the board also approved an agreement to assist the Village of Pender with flood control. After two significant flood events in 2018 and 2019, the community of Pender completed two studies to define the source of the flood hazards in Pender. From these studies, a mitigation project was identified to better protect the Village. The board voted to provide 50% of the local costs for the west detention cell and west drainage ditch projects along with the Rattlesnake improvement project, not to exceed $527,671.88.
To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, April 22nd at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m.
Attendees were given the opportunity to submit written or oral testimony at the Open House Public Hearing.
Open House lends opportunity for public to ask questions, get answers
/The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) staff and board members are inviting the public to an Open House Public Hearing next week to learn about and discuss proposed changes to its groundwater management area in portions of Cuming, Colfax, and Dodge Counties.
The event will take place on Thursday, March 25, at the Nielsen Center at 200 Anna Stalp Avenue in West Point from 5-7 p.m.
Brian Bruckner, LENRD assistant manager, said the open house format provides the opportunity for a constructive dialogue between interested parties or stakeholders and staff and board members which isn’t offered at a traditional public hearing.
“At a traditional public hearing, the elected body is typically seated at the front of the room, and those who want to provide verbal feedback are provided the opportunity to address them. That opportunity will also exist at this event, but stakeholders can also engage in separate conversations with elected officials and staff members to relay their point of view, and if necessary, receive an answer to a specific question or concern,” Bruckner said.
“The open house format helps to ease the tension by providing a setting that encourages participation and allows for a meaningful exchange of information that is relevant to an issue. We can diffuse some of that tension by addressing that concern with more information or providing data to help them understand the issue a little better,” Bruckner added.
At the open house, staff members will be manning display tables that showcase information related to the proposed changes to the groundwater management area. Board and staff members will be available and will be ready to engage in one-on-one conversations about the proposed changes.
Members of the public will be given the opportunity to provide written or oral feedback to the district, and both forms of testimony carry equal weight at the hearing. A court reporter will be present and will be creating an official record of the oral comments that are received. Those comments will be transcribed and provided in written form to the district.
Writing materials will also be provided to allow stakeholders who wish to provide feedback on the proposed changes in written form. The written testimony and the transcription of the oral comments will be provided to the Board of Directors, at a later date, and they will review the testimony prior to taking any additional action.
“We fully recognize that these proposed changes would require some adaptation from farm operations to comply with the Phase 2 area requirements, and this hearing will provide growers with the opportunity to inform the LENRD on that process. In addition, the community of Dodge is dealing with water quality issues for groundwater nitrate. We’re hopeful that we get some response from those residents as well,” Bruckner said.
“This open house public hearing is part of the formal process of delineation of a management area and we’re hoping that we get good attendance and engagement from the public. For anyone who is concerned about attending this event due to COVID-19 concerns, we have selected the Nielsen Community Center due to our ability to host a public event in a large venue that should allow for sufficient social distancing and health protection measures,” he said.
For anyone who is unable to attend, please remember that you can provide written testimony to the LENRD in advance of this event, and written testimony will be received up to the scheduled 7 p.m. completion. Those comments could be emailed to the district by sending them to lenrd@lenrd.org, or by U.S. Mail by mailing them to: Lower Elkhorn NRD, 1508 Square Turn Boulevard, Norfolk, NE 68701
Open House Public Hearing
Thursday, March 25 | 5-7 p.m.
Nielsen Center in West Point, NE
Rising levels of nitrates are contaminating Nebraska's groundwater
/Nitrate levels in Nebraska’s groundwater are on the rise, especially in portions of Northeast Nebraska. The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) has analyzed the nitrate data gathered as part of the routine Groundwater Quality Sampling Program and have found some troubling trends across their 15-county district.
An evaluation of water quality data collected over the past 40 years reveals that nitrate concentrations are continuing to increase in some areas. Most recently, the data indicates elevated concentrations of nitrates in portions of Cuming, Colfax, and Dodge Counties, reaching levels that could pose health threats to humans and the environment.
“Nitrate in the water is relevant to all of us,” said Mike Sousek, LENRD General Manager. “This is our water. The water we drink and use in our homes every day. The water we recreate with, grow our crops with, and plant and grow our lawns and gardens with. But, this same water, could be affecting our health if it’s not properly managed.”
While the most serious threat from excessive groundwater nitrate is to human health, environmental issues such as harmful algae blooms in lakes are caused or exacerbated by excessive nitrate loads in Nebraska’s waters. Nitrate is often found in surface water, like rivers and lakes, but it also readily travels into groundwater supplies, meaning that no source of drinking water is safe from potential nitrate contamination.
The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that nitrate concentration in drinking water does not exceed 10 milligrams per liter. This threshold has been established to prevent methemoglobinemia in infants, however, researchers working with the University of Nebraska Medical Center have published studies indicating that prolonged exposure to drinking water containing nitrate levels at or below the threshold of 10 milligrams per liter is associated with increased risks of thyroid disease, central nervous system birth defects, and colorectal, bladder, ovarian, and kidney cancers, and therefore the threshold does not account for these other health effects.
To date, no studies have attempted to quantify the health and economic impacts due to nitrate in drinking water in the U.S. However, a recent study has presented a “first-of-its-kind” comprehensive assessment of nitrate exposure from drinking water. The study found that up to $1.5 and $6.5 billion in medical and indirect costs may be associated with annual nitrate-attributable cancer cases.
With the growing body of science alluding to the notion that the current drinking water nitrate standard may not be providing sufficient protection to public health, the discovery of areas with elevated groundwater nitrates within the LENRD becomes even more concerning.
Adding to those concerns are the economic costs of installation, operation, and maintenance of treatment systems that remove nitrate from drinking water supplies. Safe drinking water requirements put a financial strain on smaller municipalities and rural water treatment plants who are dealing with source water that is contaminated with unsafe concentrations of nitrates, resulting in higher operation costs that inevitably get passed on to the customers.
For example, Creighton became the first community in Nebraska to build a reverse osmosis plant constructed to treat nitrate and provide safe drinking water to its residents. In 1993, the cost of the original plant, excluding engineering and equipment, was $605,507. An additional $1.2 million has since been invested to rehabilitate the plant and the operation and maintenance costs over the past 5 years have been over $1.8 million. The increased costs to keep the system running have driven up the cost to the consumer to over $60 per month.
The community of Osmond, Nebraska recently completed construction of two new wells and other improvements, investments that were required as the existing wells were failing to meet the needs of its residents due to excessive nitrates. It’s a circumstance that annually repeats itself in communities all across Nebraska as water utilities struggle to provide quality water to their customers at affordable rates. For example, the communities of Dodge and Plainview are both looking for quality groundwater sources outside of their city limits. To pump water from these wells, up to 5 miles from town, the additional costs for the system will be approximately $2-3 million for each community.
Other states are not immune, in October of 2017, Hiawatha, Kansas, began building a new water treatment plant that included an ion exchange system. Nitrate levels in Hiawatha had hit 11 ppm a few months before – it was one of several times the town has warned residents not to drink tap water. The plant cost the town of about 3,300 an estimated $3.5 million, which does not include the operations and maintenance costs.
For a private well owner, installing a reverse osmosis system in their home is often the quickest and easiest solution for the high nitrates in their well water. The average monthly cost when using a basic system is around $35 per month. When multiplied for each of the 23 years since the establishment of the first groundwater-quality management area, some families have invested almost $10,000 to have clean, safe drinking water in their homes. A worthwhile investment to protect the health of their families, but a drag on the personal finances of those who are impacted. A recent study in northeastern Nebraska has revealed that nearly 82% of wells were at risk of exceeding the 10 mg/L of nitrate. The cost of remediation for domestic wells through reverse osmosis treatment in this area average from $4 - $164 total regional cost per household per year, depending on the threshold for treatment. The study estimates that with the current trends, over the course of 20 years, residents in northeast Nebraska could see remediation costs as high as $400,000 - $5,400,000 based on an estimate of $13 - $508 per total number of households per year. Ion exchange and distillation were the next most cost-effective options. Nontreatment options include building a new well or purchasing bottled water, both of which are more expensive in the long run than using treatments. Reverse osmosis treatment was the most expensive option, due to high initial costs and operation and maintenance costs of the system. These high costs may discourage some households and communities from pursuing treatment, leading to possible health impacts due to nitrate exposure.
A better solution is to keep nitrates from reaching Nebraska’s water in the first place. A host of agricultural practices – like the use of cover crops, no-till or conservation tillage, and rotational livestock grazing – can help farmers improve their soil health and decrease applications of chemical fertilizers, which are the source of much of the nitrate in our water. Practices that achieve that goal can also help farmers increase their bottom line.
The grim reality of the situation is that it is not a “one size fits all” scenario when dealing with different land uses, soil type, or availability of labor and equipment resources from one farm to the next. However, what every producer can do is to take advantage of the environmental nitrogen sources that are readily available on their land, such as, residual soil nitrogen, irrigation water, legume credits, and organic matter. Comprehensive management of these available credits make it possible to make reductions to their purchased nitrogen applications, saving time and money, all while maintaining yields.
The UNL recommendations for applying Nitrogen fertilizer is a ratio of 1 to 1: 1 lb. of N per 1 bushel of corn. In some areas, producers can get by with much less, even as low as 60-70% of the recommended amounts. This equates to big savings for the producer and less opportunity for Nitrogen to leach into the groundwater.
Sousek said, “There are producers in our district who are trying innovative technology to improve nitrogen-use efficiencies that are allowing them to increase yields, all while decreasing inputs and lessening the chances for the leaching of nitrogen. We encourage everyone to bring ideas and discussions to the table. We’re here to partner with you.”
Sousek continued, “Producers are putting forth their best effort to minimize contamination, but we’re still not seeing the nitrate levels drop. This suggests there are problems that have not yet been revealed, and it highlights the need for increased monitoring and creative solutions to address water quality, public health, and the financial burdens associated with these problems.”
He added, “This water is ours to manage locally and share efficiently. Join us for our Open House Public Hearing and please share your ideas to help sustain and protect our natural resources.”
Open House Public Hearing
Thursday, March 25 | 5-7 p.m.
Nielsen Center in West Point, Nebraska
