About

Little Blue NRD

Little Blue Natural Resources District has the unique responsibility to protect our natural resources within the district through the promotion of conservation as well as proper management practices to ensure the future of our resources for years to come!  

Where We’re Located

The Little Blue Natural Resources District is nestled in the heart of the district in Davenport.  We proudly serve and support the producers, farmers, and communities in Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, and Jefferson Counties. We’re responsible for helping to maintain 1,539,200 acres of land.

How We’re Funded

A variety of sources funds our operations, including the sale of conservation trees and services, assessment projects (self-supporting rural water systems), state and federal cost-sharing for projects and programs, and various grant programs. The primary source of funds, however, remains local property taxes.

Fiscal Year 2022 Budgets

Income

  • Cash and Investments 33% 33%
  • Local Sources 5.% 5.%
  • Federal and State Grants and Funding 9% 9%
  • Investment Income 0% 0%
  • Miscellaneous 2% 2%
  • Property Tax 39% 39%
  • Rural Water Income 12% 12%

Expense

  • Information & Education 2% 2%
  • Personnel 30% 30%
  • Operations 24% 24%
  • Programs 9% 9%
  • Projects 9% 9%
  • Rural Water 13% 13%
  • Water Management 1% 1%
  • Reserves 12% 12%

Our Staff

The District employs eleven full-time professional staff responsible for carrying out the directives of the Board of Directors.  Four full-time secretaries as well as one Technician are also employed and serve as District contacts in four of the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices which lie within the District. The Rural Water Projects employ two part-time employees.

Scott Nelson

General Manager

The general manager oversees the general administration of the District as well as personnel management, budget, project development, District planning/policy, and Legislative activities.

Tyler Goeschel

Assistant Manager

Tyler’s duties include administration of the Groundwater Quality Plan, groundwater quality programs, project development support, planning, budget & finance, livestock waste permits review as well as data management and systems administrator.

Kevin Orvis

Project Manager

Kevin oversees the District’s Water Quantity Management Plan, water meter maintenance, static water levels, new well permits, drainage and surface water and is the Rural Water Projects Manager.

Tim Hecke

Operations Supervisor

This position is in charge of the Tree Program, Watershed maintenance, Recreation Area maintenance, Buffer Strip Program, Wildlife Habitat and equipment maintenance.

Johnathan Novotny

NRD Technician

This position assists with chemigation inspections, water sampling, meter maintenance, groundwater department inventory and ultrasonic meter testing.

Vacant

Water Resources Technician

This position is in charge of chemigation, assists with water sampling, ultrasonic meter testing, operator BMP promotion and new meter certification.

Alicia Epps

Database Specialist

Alicia is the District’s Database Specialist. She is in charge of data entry and managing our Beehive database. Alicia schedules chemigation inspections and manages the certified acres. She also works with outside agencies on projects, grants, and cost share.

Kathy Boysen

Administrative Assistant

The job’s duties include Receptionist and Secretarial tasks, Records Management, Wellness Program, maintaining mailing lists and producing mailings.

Marie Herbek

Office Adminstrator

Marie’s duties include payroll, budgets, and all things accounting.

Jessica Hedges

Media & Communications Specialist

Her duties include Community Outreach, Social Media, Website Development, Information and Education, Recycling and Conservation Programs.

Rural Water Projects

Kevin Orvis, Rural Water Manager (402) 364-2145
Bruce Dux, Rural Water Superintendent (402) 300-0523
Paula Schultz, Billing (402) 729-6134 ext. 3

NRCS Field Office Staff

Rita Peshek, Adams County – NRCS Secretary
Vacant, Clay County – NRCS Secretary
Sylvia Jividen, Fillmore County – NRCS Secretary
Paula Schultz, Jefferson County – NRCS Secretary
Christine Zabokrtsky, Jefferson County – NRCS Technician
Jessica Hynek
Thayer County – NRCS Secretary
Lynetta Snelling, Webster County – NRCS Secretary