Programs
Buffer Strips
Croplands adjacent to perennial and seasonal streams, ponds, and wetlands can be enrolled in the buffer strip program. This program is designed to filter agrichemicals such as fertilizer and pesticides before they enter surface and groundwater supplies.
Land eligible for enrollment in this program is cropland adjacent to perennial streams, intermittent streams, wetlands, or permanent bodies of water or existing buffer strips established after January 1, 1996, along with these areas.
The contract length is not less than five or more than ten years. The payment rate differs from dryland to irrigated cropland.
More Information (source Nebraska Department of Agriculture)
- Nebraska Buffer Strip Program Handout
- Buffers: Common Sense Conservation Infographic
- Summary of Approved Applications, Contracts & Programs
- Buffers Work!
- Nebraska Buffer Strip Program Summary (All NRDs)
For more information on the Nebraska, Strip Program visit the Nebraska Department of Ag Buffer Strip Website or contact Erika Brinegar of the Little Blue NRD.
Cost-Share
Cost-Share Page – More Information
*Operators may receive up to $10,000 per tract in a 2-year period.
Dam Program
Dam Program Page – More Information
Rates: The NRD’s Cost – Share rate on all private dams is 75% of eligible costs. The maximum the Little Blue NRD will payout is $50,000. In each case, cost-share will be based on the actual final quantities installed, multiplied by the lesser of the County’s Average Cost or the Actual Unit Cost submitted by the contractor.
Details – Document
Municipal Water System Program
Municipal Water System Page
This program is intended to provide assistance to communities for improvements in their water system to mitigate the impacts of non-point source groundwater contamination for the protection and public health of the community’s residents. The reasons for system improvements must be related to the impacts of contamination from pollution sources that are non-point in nature, not from point source contamination. General modification, improvement, or expansion of a water well or distribution system are not eligible activities.
INCLUDED PRACTICES:
Assistance may be applied to any or all of the following purposes:
- Engineering assistance to determine to best alternatives for water system improvements;
- Assistance in well location identification;
- Assistance in water source development if a new well or other sources of water is necessary because of non-point pollution;
- Water treatment if required due to non-point pollution.
FUNDING
The District will provide financial assistance to the city or village not to exceed 50% of the project and based on $20 per capita of community population derived from the most recent Federal census. A 50% local match is required. Financial assistance may be provided over a period of up to five years, depending on the total amount of the request by the community. A community may not apply for funding through the Municipal Water System Assistance Program more often than once every ten years.
Total funding for this practice will be limited to the amount budgeted for the program annually by the Board of Directors, considering District budgetary obligations. The NRD reserves the right to evaluate and screen requests and prioritize requests based on the urgency of needs or administrative orders issued to the community by Ne HHS
Outdoor Classroom
Outdoor Classroom Page
The Outdoor Classroom Grant Program is to promote awareness and ownership of our natural resources in primary and secondary schools within the Little Blue NRD area (all of Thayer, parts of Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Nuckolls, Jefferson, and Webster counties).
Funding:
- Monies totaling no more than two hundred dollars ($200) can be requested by teachers for the purpose of acquiring materials needed for conducting Environmental Educational exercises and construction projects on school grounds.
- The District will also make available free seedlings, grass drills, grass, and other possible materials.
- The Little Blue NRD will provide technical and planning assistance if needed and has free tree stock available until April of each year.
- The District will also make available free seedlings, grass drills, grass, and other possible materials.
Tree Program
Tree Program Page – More Information
Hand Plant Order Form – Fillable
Hand Plant Order Form – Printable
*Call NRCS for District Planting Plants
Contacts for More Information
Adams County NRCS – (402) 462-5412, ext. 3
Clay/Nuckolls County NRCS – (402) 762-3569, ext. 3
Fillmore County NRCS – (402) 759-4017, ext. 3
Jefferson County NRCS – (402) 729-6134, ext. 3
Thayer County NRCS – (402) 768-6228, ext. 3
Webster County NRCS – (402) 746-2268, ext. 3
Urban Conservation
Urban Conservation Program – More Information
Acceptable Projects:
- Development and Improvement of Recreation and Public-Use Lakes
- Permanent Grade Stabilization Structures
- Stormwater Management Facilities (detention structures, improved channels)
- Diversions and Terraces
- Permanent Critical Area Seeding and Mulching ($100/acre maximum)
- Grassed Waterways
- Whatever LBNRD Board sees as an acceptable Projects
- NOTE: An enclosed storm sewer is not an eligible project
Funding:
The LBNRD Board of Directors will evaluate each project and determine the cost-share on a project-by-project basis. The District’s cost-share rate shall be $20.00 per capita population, not to exceed 50% of the project’s total cost. However, the District’s contribution shall not be less than $500 nor more than the maximum of $50,000. However, the Board shall use discretion to determine the public benefits to be received and the appropriate cost-share level. The Applicant shall be limited to applying for funds once every five years.
Urban Parks & Recreation
Urban Park & Recreational Trails Program Page – More Information
Eligible Projects Components:
- Development and Improvement of Recreation and Public-Use Lakes
- Permanent Grade Stabilization Structures
- Stormwater Management Facilities (detention structures, improved channels)
- Diversions and Terraces
- Permanent Critical Area Seeding and Mulching ($100/acre maximum)
- Grassed Waterways
- Recreation Trails
Funding:
The LBNRD cost-share limitations: The District’s cost-share rate shall be $10.00 per capita population, not to exceed 50% of the project’s total cost; however, the District’s contribution shall be not less than $500 nor more than the maximum of $50,000. The LBNRD Board has the authority to modify the dollar contributions based on the community’s best interest and the benefits provided. The Applicant shall be limited to applying for funds once every five years. All applications submitted by the deadline will be evaluated and ranked by the committee based on their merits and enhancement of overall District goals. Total funds available for distribution will be limited to annual District budgetary allocations for this program.