Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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The Upper Elkhorn NRD will be taking applications for the expansion of new groundwater irrigated acres during the month of October for the 2025 growing season. There will be up to 150 new groundwater irrigated acres allotted for the purpose of increasing irrigation efficiency. The focus of the 2024 sign up will be the same as last year, to finish off pivots with 15 acres or less that have to reverse due to an obstruction not allowing the pivot to complete the circle. The sign up is not on a...
The Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District has updated its chemigation rules and regulations as they pertain to the Nebraska Chemigation Act. A public hearing was held Nov. 27, 2023, to review and adopt those changes. On Feb. 12, the UENRD received approval from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for the updated chemigation rules and regulations following a delay at the state level. The major change to the rules and regulations pertained to the fee structure, which was due, in part, to the chemigation program no longer being...
ORDER RULE AMENDMENTS UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT Nov. 27, 2023 FINDINGS: 1. Nebraska Revised Statutes §46-701 et seq., provides the authority for the adoption and amendment of rules and regulations for the management of groundwater. 2. Notice of the Nov. 27, 2023, public hearing on the proposed chemigation rule and regulation amendments was published in accordance with state law in the following newspapers in general circulation in the Upper Elkhorn NRD: (a) Holt County Independent, (b) Atkinson Graphic, (c) Elgin Review, (d)...
The deadline for 2023 Phase II Annual Reports is Dec. 31. If you farm in a Phase II or Phase III area, you are required to submit a Phase II report for every field larger than 40 acres. Where more than 50 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen fertilizer, commercial or organic, is applied, (for example: corn) a full report is required. A mandatory two-foot deep soil sampling analysis is required for the Phase II report. The soil sample used on the 2023 annual report should have been taken in Fall 2022 or Spring 2023. If less than 50 pounds per...
The Upper Elkhorn NRD will be accepting requests for the transfer of groundwater irrigated acres from Nov. 1 through March 1. There is a $50 application fee for landowners who would like to make an appointment and review a possible transfer. The Transfer Agreement, transfer procedures and support information can be found on the UENRD website at www.uenrd.org. We are encouraging anyone interested in signing up for a transfer to go through the information on the website first before making an appointment. If you have questions, please feel free...
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT The Board of Directors of the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District (“board”) will hold a public hearing at 12:30 p.m., on Nov. 27th, 2023, at the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District office, 301 North Harrison Street, in O’Neill, Nebraska, 68763. This is not a question-and-answer hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony relevant to the adoption of proposed amendments to the district’s chemigation rules and regulations. A summary of the proposed amendments...
The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County. Samples taken last week at Willow Creek Reservoir measured above the threshold of eight parts per billion of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae. When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is...
The Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District will be taking applications for the expansion of new groundwater irrigated acres during the month of October for the 2024 growing season. There will be up to 150 new groundwater irrigated acres allotted for the purpose of increasing irrigation efficiency. The focus of the 2023 signup will be to finish off pivots with 15 acres or less that have to reverse due to an obstruction not allowing the pivot to complete the circle. The signup is not on a...
The state has issued health alerts for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Kirkman’s Cove Lake in Richardson County. Samples taken earlier this week at the lake measured above the threshold of 8 parts per billion of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae. When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing...
Each year, the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District awards three scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the district. "These are students who have chosen to pursue a career in a field related to agriculture, natural resources or the environment," said Beth Walsh, UENRD information and communication coordinator. This year’s recipients are Kade Youngblood of Chambers High School; Levi Cronk of Summerland High School; Tucker Stagemeyer of O’Neill High School; and, alternate Ashley Pischel of Summerland High School. Kendra Youngblood...
LOCAL WORKING GROUP MEETING USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will be holding a local working group meeting at the Upper Elkhorn NRD, 301 North Harrison St. O’Neill, NE, on March 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to discuss natural resource conservation program priorities. The meeting is open to the public. For individuals needing special accommodations, contact UENRD at 402-336-3867. Published March 9, 2023 and March 16, 2023 ZNEZ...
Bill Tielke will serve as chairman of Holt County Supervisors, who elected him to the position for 2023 during a statutory session, Jan. 5, at the Holt County Courthouse. Doug Frahm will chair the county's board of equalization. Supervisors approved board of representatives and delegates, as well as committee assignments for 2023, including: • Bonds: Darrin Paxton, Frahm, Tielke; • Bridge: Frahm, Paxton and Scott Keyes; • Claims: Frahm (chair) and the entire board; Courthouse: Frahm, Dusti...
The farmer was growing impatient. He and dozens of other central Nebraska farmers had gathered for mandatory training in Columbus a few weeks before last Christmas. In response to high nitrate levels, the Lower Loup Natural Resources District had designated a "Phase 3 area." That led to new requirements – like this training to help farmers manage their nitrogen fertilizer use. The farmer didn't like this. He told NRD leaders he had been drinking water containing nitrate at 40 parts per m...
Two initiative measures - one requiring photographic identification, one increasing minimum wage - were passed by Nebraska voters during the Nov. 8 General Election. Initiative 432 amends Nebraska's constitution, to require voters to "present valid photographic identification" prior to voting. Nebraska's Legislature will hammer out the details, according to language in the measure. Voters also approved Initiative 433, which will gradually raise the state's minimum wage from the current rate of...
Nick Herringer claps along with a metronome. He draws lines on a big screen, repeating patterns drawn by the computer. He identifies icons of cars when they flash before his eyes. This is the 22-year-old's speech and cognitive therapy, which he has been doing at least twice a week. Every week. For three years. Nick's thick brown hair hides a massive, ear-to-ear scar from his four brain surgeries for glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer he has battled since he was a teenager. His mom, Tammy Herringer, drives Nick to therapy and back. She...
The state has issued a health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County, Big Indian Lake in Gage County, Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County, Iron Horse Trail Lake Wildlife Management Area in Pawnee County and Kirkman's Cove Lake in Richardson County. Iron Horse Trail Lake WMA and Kirkman's Cove Lake remained on alert this week after also being on alert last week. Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County was removed from alert...
The Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District will be taking applications for the expansion of new groundwater irrigated acres during October for the 2023 growing season. There will be up to 300 new acres allotted to increase irrigation efficiency. The focus of the 2022 sign-up will be to finish off pivots, with 15 acres or less that have to reverse, due to an obstacle not allowing the pivot to complete the circle. The sign-up is not on a first-come, first-served basis; but, based on a ranking...
Each year, the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District awards three scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the district. These are students who have chosen to pursue a career in a field related to agriculture, natural resources or the environment. This year’s recipients are Sadie Jarecke of West Holt High School; Cameron Sattler of Stuart High School; Dillon Moser of Summerland Public School; and, alternate Ryan Steinhauser of Stuart High School. Jeff and Amber Skrdla will be supporting Jarecke as she is planning a career in a...
NOTICE OF MEETING LOCAL WORKING GROUP NRCS and UENRD The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, along with the Upper Elkhorn NRD, will be holding a Local Working Group meeting at the Upper Elkhorn NRD, 301 North Harrison St., O’Neill, NE 68763 on March 24, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to discuss natural resource conservation program priorities. The meeting is open to the public. For individuals needing special accommodations, please contact 402-336-3796, ext.3. Published March 10, 2022 ZNEZ...
The state has issued a health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Iron Horse Trail Lake ( in Pawnee County. Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County is still on health alert. Wirth Brothers Lake in Johnson County and Calamus Reservoir in Garfield County have been removed from health alert. This is the last week of monitoring for the regular sampling season. Samples taken earlier this week at the lakes on alert measure...
If a weekend trip to Calamus Reservoir, near Burwell, is in your plans, take note: a health alert has been issued for the lake. The state has issued a health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Calamus Reservoir in Garfield County and Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County. Wirth Brothers Lake (Site 27) in Johnson County is still on health alert. Lakes removed from health alert are Rockford Lake in Gage County and Swan Creek Lake (Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area) in Saline County. Samples taken earlier...
The State of Nebraska has issued a health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County. Samples taken earlier this week at Willow Creek Lake were above the health alert threshold of eight parts per billion of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae. Based on recommendations issued in 2019 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the state of Nebraska adopted this limit after concluding...
The Bazile Groundwater Management Area has launched a new website for the new year. The BGMA's new online presence debuted in early January at bgma.nebraska.gov in a move to separate itself from the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District's website. "We decided to get a new website so we would have our own stand-alone website," said Jeremy Milander, the management area's Nebraska Extension cropping systems educator. "We felt that this would avoid some confusion as our old site was a tab on the...
People who are concerned about water quality are encouraged to attend and absorb knowledge at one of two upcoming events. The Bazile Groundwater Management Area has scheduled community discussions in Creighton and Osmond on Tuesday, Dec. 8, on the issue of nitrates in groundwater. “The goal of the meetings is to receive input from area residents on awareness of the issue, action they are willing to take to address the issue and information they would like to learn more about,” said BGMA pro...
People who want to enjoy an agricultural field day that will feature a variety of topics will soon will have the chance. A demonstration field day will be held 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Bazile Groundwater Management Area’s soil health site near Creighton. To find the soil health site, people will need to travel two miles south of Creighton on Nebraska Highway 13, turn east onto 870 Road and travel three-fourths of a mile. The outdoor event, during which social distancing will be...
