Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (NRD) and Lower Republican NRD are investigating the feasibility of a cooperative project to divert excess flows from the Platte River to the Republican River Basin. The proposed project would involve installing a culvert under U.S. Highway 23 to direct the diverted flows from the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID) E-65 Canal to the east branch of Turkey Creek in Gosper County. The project would be beneficial to both NRDs, since it would enhance groundwater recharge efforts in both the Platte and Republican River Basins.

   At their regular November board meetings, the two NRD boards approved an inter-local agreement to cooperate on the project. During their December board meetings, the directors of both NRDs approved a Request for Proposals for engineering services to help design and develop technical details of the project. Both NRDs are also working to secure easements on the properties affected by the project.

   On Monday, December 14, staff and directors from both NRDs held the first of two meetings with landowners to further explain the project and address landowners’ questions and concerns. A second landowner information meeting is scheduled for Oxford in January 2016. The meeting was well attended, with around 20 landowners present. While concerns were expressed, the overall attitude of landowners toward the project was positive, with most landowners recognizing the need to explore all options to fulfill the requirements of the NRDs’ Integrated Management Plans and to protect Nebraska’s groundwater.

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NEWS RELEASE

December 16, 2015

For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:  Nicole Salisbury, Information Coordinator

                                                   Phone 308-995-6688 or email nsalisbury [at] tribasinnrd.org