GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – The Central Platte Natural Resources District (NRD) Board of Directors approved entering into an interlocal agreement for a three-year vadose study with the Lower Loup and Upper Big Blue NRDs at their monthly meeting on Thursday.

The study aims to improve understanding of how fertilizer application practices affect nitrate movement and leaching through root zone between the land surface and the groundwater table. Results will help the districts develop more effective nutrient management strategies to protect groundwater quality. Under the proposed agreement, the Lower Loup NRD will serve as the lead sponsor, providing 50% of the sponsor’s cost, not to exceed $210,400 in cash. The Central Platte and Upper Big Blue NRDs will each reimburse Lower Loup NRD for 25% of the sponsor’s costs, not to exceed $105,200 in cash, unless additional costs are mutually agreed upon.

Central Platte NRD Board meetings are held at 2 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month (unless stated otherwise) at the Central Platte NRD office located at 215 Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island, NE 68803. 

AGENDA/OTHER ACTION ITEMS

New Director   
Luke Ourada of Elm Creek was introduced as the newly appointed director for Subdistrict 3. His appointment will run through December 2026.

New Office and Education Center 
The Board received an update on the new office building and education center and approved the Building Committee's following recommendations on the following:

Maintenance Building - Rogge Construction was selected to construct a 60’ x 145’ maintenance building at the site. Of the seven bids received, Rogge Construction had the low bid of $1,269,000.00.  
Change Order #5 - A change order from Rogge Construction was approved in the amount of $6,666.00 for changes to galvanized railing, structural steel changes and a deduction of audio/video equipment.

Overton FFA Presentation
Overton FFA students Paige Walahoski, Toby Orvis, and Mason Dutro joined the CPNRD Board meeting via Zoom to present their competition topic in preparation for the National FFA Convention later this month. The team, led by advisor Juliana Loudon, will represent Nebraska in the Environment and Natural Resources contest in Indianapolis and used the presentation to sharpen their skills and gain additional public speaking experience. The Board wished the students well as they practiced and prepared for the national contest.

Manager’s Report  
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported on the following:

Schroeder Property - Manager Lyndon Vogt reported that the 157-acre Schroeder property, located six miles southeast of Cozad, will be sold as dryland cropland. The NRD purchased the tract in 2018 to pursue Platte River credit opportunities, including groundwater recharge achieved through the retirement of irrigated acres, potential transfers from the South Side Irrigation District canal, and direct discharge to the Platte River from an adjacent site.

In 2022, the Board reviewed management options to maximize hydrologic benefits, and the tenant was notified that the acres would be converted to dryland to retire irrigation and secure 107 acre-feet of credit back to the Platte River. In 2023, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources reimbursed CPNRD for 60 percent of the Platte River benefit, totaling $468,308. Vogt noted that the pivot bridges will be removed prior to the sale.

Education Center - Vogt reported that staff has begun meeting with the design team from McCullough Creative of Dubuque, Iowa, to develop concepts for the displays and exhibits in the new education center.

Perkins County Canal – Vogt reported that on July 16, 2025, Nebraska filed a lawsuit against Colorado in the U.S. Supreme Court, asserting that Colorado has violated the 1923 South Platte River Compact by interfering with Nebraska’s water rights and its right to construct the canal. A key issue raised by Nebraska is that Colorado has failed to protect Nebraska’s senior water rights from junior groundwater users.
Interbasin Transfer Application – Vogt reported that the Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) has requested additional information from sponsors for the Platte River Republican River Transbasin Diversion application. In 2018, CPNRD filed a formal objection to DWEE (formerly NeDNR) concerning an interbasin transfer application submitted by Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to divert water from the Platte River to the Republican River.

In 2023, the Attorney General’s Office prepared and filed a brief on response, allowing partners to have the opportunity to file a reply brief in which NeDNR dismissed CPNRD as a third party-objector. A motion was also filed to bypass the Court of Appeals to take the appeal directly to the Nebraska Supreme Court. Partners of the appeal include CPNRD, Lower Loup NRD, and Loup Public Power District. The Nebraska Supreme Court stayed on its decision to not allow an NRD to have standing on a surface water diversion that is before the NeDNR, affirming the Order of Dismissal issued by the Department dismissing objections filed by Central Platte NRD, North Platte NRD, Lower Loup NRD, NPPD, Cozad Ditch Company, Loup River Power Public Power District and Audubon Society. In May 2024, the Department held a hearing to receive public testimony and written comments.

Spring and Buffalo Creek Draft Watershed Plan – A public meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. at the UNL Extension Office in Lexington to review the Spring and Buffalo Creek Draft Watershed Plan, which is currently at 30% design. The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) project, developed in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), aims to reduce flood risks and improve long-term watershed resiliency within the Spring and Buffalo Creeks watershed in Dawson County. NRCS has provided technical assistance and guidance throughout the planning process, and the public meeting will give landowners and stakeholders an opportunity to learn more and provide input before the design progresses.

Nebraska Association of Resources District  
CPNRD Representative Deb VanMatre reported that following the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) annual conference in Kearney, the Board voted to pay $130,000 toward the principal of the NARD building loan, reducing the remaining balance to $100,000.

Financial Report
The October financial report was approved.

Cost-Share  
Two applications for prescribed burn and well decommissioning totaling $2,790.00 were approved through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs.

Upcoming Board Meetings   
November 13, December 18, January 22