LINCOLN, Nebraska — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (NRD), received official approval in July for the Little Salt Creek Watershed Improvement Plan in southeastern Nebraska.

The Little Salt Creek Watershed spans over 29,000 acres in Lancaster and Saunders Counties north of the City of Lincoln. The plan proposes the implementation of 120 ecosystem improvement projects focused on saline and freshwater wetland restoration and erosion and sediment control to protect unique habitats including the federally endangered Salt Creek tiger beetle. The plan estimates the total construction cost of the projects at $10.3 million.  The proposed federal assistance for the total project is about $7.8 million with the local sponsor responsible for approximately $2.5 million. 

Funding for the plan came through NRCS’s Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program (WFPO), which provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments and tribes to plan and implement authorized watershed enhancement projects. NRCS provided $430,000 toward completing the Little Salt Creek Watershed Plan. With the plan approved, Lower Platte South NRD now qualifies to request future financial assistance from NRCS for developing the identified ecosystem improvement projects.

“NRCS is pleased to have provided technical and financial assistance to Lower Platte South NRD for completing the Little Salt Creek Watershed Plan,” said Rob Lawson, NRCS Nebraska state conservationist. “One of our top priorities is assisting local sponsors in identifying and completing watershed projects for natural resource enhancements and public safety.”

“As local sponsors, we are most appreciative of NRCS’s commitment toward completing the watershed plan,” said Will Inselman, Lower Platte South NRD resources coordinator. “Their partnership has helped us identify and eventually complete essential habitat protection and improvements in the Little Salt Creek Watershed”.