GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – The Central Platte Natural Resources District (NRD) Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at the Central Platte NRD office, 215 Kaufman Avenue, Grand Island. The meeting is open to the public.

AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

Board Officer Nominating Committee
The Board Officer Nominating Committee will present its recommendations to appoint a secretary and treasurer, with terms running through 2028. The Board will consider the committee’s recommendations and appoint officers during the meeting. Keith Ostermeier of Grand Island, who has served one term as secretary, and Marvion Reichert of Elm Creek, who has served one term as treasurer, are both eligible for re-election. Board officers may serve up to two consecutive two-year terms.

Committee Signups 
Board members will select two committees to serve on in 2026. Committees include Water Quality; Water Utilization, Programs, Western Projects; and Eastern Projects. Chairmen will be selected for each committee.

General Election 
Central Platte NRD has 21 members on the board of directors who serve four-year terms, with two directors in each of the NRD’s 10 sub-districts and one at-large director.  Directors in the same sub-district are elected in alternate election years. The following incumbents are up for the upcoming election cycle and must file by Feb. 17, 2026. The non-incumbent deadline is March 2, 2026.

Subdistrict        Director                                                         
Subdistrict 1     Brian Keiser, Gothenburg                         
Subdistrict 2     Tom Downey, Lexington                         
Subdistrict 3     Luke Ourada, Elm Creek                                             
Subdistrict 4     Lon Bohn, Gibbon                                         
Subdistrict 5     Deb VanMatre, Gibbon                               
Subdistrict 6     Jerry Milner, Grand Island                          
Subdistrict 7     Ed Stoltenberg, Cairo                                   
Subdistrict 8     Kevin Werner, Grand Island                         
Subdistrict 9     Amy Kyes, Central City                                    
Subdistrict 10   Charles Maser, Grand Island                         
At-Large             Keith Ostermeier, Grand Island                 

Water Quality Committee
The Water Quality Committee will review bids for Central Platte NRD’s portion for geotechnical services associated with a proposed study titled Examining the Effects of Fertilizer Application Practices on Nitrate Movement and Leaching in the Lower Loup, Central Platte, and Upper Big Blue NRDs. The Board will consider the committee’s recommendation.

The study will monitor nutrient movement and soil characteristics across eight agricultural fields, including three side-dress fertilizer applications, three chemigation/sensor-based applications, and two manure applications. Deep core soil sampling (to 30 feet) will be conducted post-harvest and pre-planting at three locations within each field annually. Shallow core sampling (to 8 feet) will also be conducted in-season, post-planting and pre-emergence, at the same locations monthly through August.

Nitrogen losses associated with different fertilizer application practices will be evaluated to improve understanding of nitrate movement and to support management decisions, including best management practice recommendations. A total of $631,200 in Water Sustainability Funds has been awarded for the study, with matching funds to be provided by each participating NRD. The Central Platte and Upper Big Blue NRDs will each provide $105,200 in matching funds, and the Lower Loup NRD will provide $210,400. The study will be conducted through 2028.

Building Committee 
The Building Committee will review the progress of the NRD’s new office and education center construction.

Manager’s Report  
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, will report.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Report  
Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, and Carrie Thompson, Resources Conservationist of Lexington, will report.

Nebraska Association of Resources District  
Deb VanMatre, CPNRD Representative, will report.

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission  
Doug Reeves, Middle Platte Basin Representative, will report.

Water Task Force
Tom Downey, Nitrate Legacy and Drinking Water Representative, will report.

Financial Report
The February financial report will be considered.

Cost-Share Programs
Applications for the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs will be considered.

Upcoming Board Meetings   
March 26, April 23, May 28