NORFOLK, Nebraska -- The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (NRD) continues to work towards finding a solution for flooding issues in the City of Battle Creek.

At the Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, April 23, Directors agreed with staff’s recommendation to create a committee for Battle Creek flood mitigation. The committee will consist of Directors appointed by the Chairman (less than a quorum) and representatives from the City of Battle Creek. They will work together to define goals and priorities, utilizing the available programs from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to be considered in formulating a possible recommendation for flood mitigation for the community.

Directors also heard and voted on Urban Conservation Assistance Program and Recreation Area Development Program applications.

The Urban Conservation Assistance Program provides technical and financial assistance to government entities such as cities, counties, villages, and schools, to help prevent or control erosion, flooding, and related resource concerns in urbanized areas while the Recreation Area Development Program provides financial assistance to acquire land rights, design, establish, develop, and improve public recreation areas.

Ultimately, seven Recreation Area Development Program Applications were approved for funding totaling $150,000.00.

Connor Bladwin, Groundwater Management Area Specialist, gave a presentation on his participation with Nebraska Water Leaders Academy. The Academy, established in 2009, provides learning opportunities focused on cooperative approaches to solving Nebraska’s water issues. It is made up of men and women from every corner of Nebraska who meet in a year-long program to learn the principles of first-rate leadership and about the vital role of rivers, streams and aquifers in Nebraska. It is supported through the Water Futures Partnership-Nebraska with University of Nebraska-Lincoln partnering to provide program curriculum. Bruckner, General Manager, was a member of the inaugural Nebraska Water Leaders Academy.

Baldwin also updated the Board on the status of outstanding Management Area Reports from the 2025 growing season as well as producers who had not yet completed Nitrogen Certification. He explained that staff are more lenient with annual reporting this year due to the change to the new reporting system and bugs encountered during the reporting period. As of the meeting, all producers had secured Nitrogen Certification.

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local District can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit www.lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, May 28th, at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.

The Lower Elkhorn NRD serves all or part of 15-counties in northeast Nebraska. Visit the Lower Elkhorn NRD website to sign up for monthly emails from the district. Like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.