Public Hearing - Tuesday, March 12th, 2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Little Blue Natural Resources District (LBNRD) will hold a public hearing Tuesday, March 12^th at 6:30 p.m., immediately preceding the full board meeting, in the LBNRD boardroom, located at 100 East 6^th Street, Davenport, NE. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comment on proposed amendments to the LBNRD’s “Groundwater Management Rules and Regulations” and to change four Water Quality Sub-Areas from Level II controls to Level III controls. A summary of the proposed amendments follows:

Definitions would be modified, added, or struck, with unnecessary language struck or modified to better conform to state law.
Combining or pooling of irrigated acres during an allocation period would be prohibited.
“Grievances” has been replaced with a “Complaints” protocol for enforcement of Rules, and an “Agreement Between Groundwater Users” section has been added. The Agreement Between Groundwater Users entails using irrigation runoff for a beneficial use if it can be captured and utilized properly.

Proposed changes to Water Quality Sub-Areas from Level II to Level III:

Kenesaw/Prosser Sub-Area will move to Level III
Deshler/Byron/Ruskin Sub-Area will move to Level III
Bruning Sub-Area will move to Level III
Fairbury Sub-Area will move to Level III
The change of Water Quality Sub-Areas from Level II to Level III would expand the soil sampling requirement from one Demonstration Field to all fields within the Sub-Area.
Commercial Nitrogen Fertilizer would be prohibited prior to March 1^st unless a nitrogen inhibitor is used.

The full text of the proposed rule changes, along with maps of the Water Quality Sub-Areas, can be found here and at the Little Blue NRD office at 100 East 6^th street, Davenport, Nebraska, 68335. (402) 364-2145.

Persons wishing to provide testimony regarding these proposed changes may submit written comments in lieu of live testimony. All written testimony should be delivered to the LBNRD offices prior to the hearing. Persons who may require auxiliary aids to participate in the hearing, should contact the LBNRD at the number above to request such aids prior to the hearing.