GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – Jason Buss, Vice President of the Platte PEER Group and President of the Nebraska Trails Foundation, requested that the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) serve as a fiscal agent for the Central City Riverfront Development Project. The request was made during the CPNRD Board of Directors meeting held on Thursday. Buss explained that the fiscal agent role would be limited to applying for and receiving grants in support of the development and public use of approximately 70 acres of riverfront property south of Central City. The project’s first phase will focus on developing a high-quality RV park and public recreation area centered around a 26-acre lake, along with trails spanning more than a mile of riverfront. With direct access to the Platte River and close proximity to the Dark Island Trail, the vision for the project includes camping, fishing, kayaking, trail expansion, habitat restoration, and outdoor education opportunities.

He noted that designating a trusted public agency as a fiscal agent would strengthen the PEER Group’s ability to pursue outside funding through federal, state, and private grant programs. CPNRD Board Chairman Deb VanMatre stated that the request would be forwarded to the Eastern Projects Committee for review. The Committee will make a recommendation to the full Board at the May Board meeting.

OTHER AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

Western Projects Committee
Tom Downey, Western Projects Committee Chairman, reported that the committee discussed a property purchased by CPNRD in 2018, which includes 157.4 acres of groundwater-irrigated land southeast of Cozad. The irrigation right was retired and the NRD will look at selling the property this fall. The property was originally purchased to provide options for earning Platte River credits by retiring irrigated acres, transferring water from the South Side Irrigation District canal, and directly discharging flows into the river.

Violation Report
Luke Zakrzewski, GIS Image Analyst, reported that he is working with the remaining 25 violations involving irrigated land that has not been certified or approved for irrigation through a transfer in 2024. He does not anticipate issuing any cease-and-desist orders at this time.

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

Crop Reports Tricia Dudley provided a list of 90 producers who have not submitted their annual crop reports. Cease and desist orders will be requested at next month’s meeting for those who remain out of compliance. The Board discussed strategies to encourage producers to submit their reports before the March 31 deadline. The Water Quality Committee will meet in May to continue the discussion.
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (NHCC): The NHCC held its annual meeting on April 14. The coalition consists of 23 members, including municipalities, Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), public power entities, and reclamation districts. Formed in 2001, NHCC serves as a unified voice on issues related to endangered species and critical habitat designation, while also working to educate the public on the potential impacts to people and natural resources.
Perkins Canal: Two tours were conducted this month, with participation from nine state senators, several legislative aides, and representatives from the Attorney General’s office. He said progress continues on acquiring land rights for the project.
Platte Republican Diversion Vogt reported that the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources held a hearing in May 2024 to receive public testimony and written comments on the Platte Republican Diversion. A decision is not expected until after the anticipated merger of the Department of Natural Resources with the Department of Environment and Energy, which will form the new Department of Water, Energy, and Environment.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Report
Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, updated the Board on the Hall County USDA Service Center. The Hall County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office will only provide service for farm programs, such as commodity safety net programs, disaster programs, and the Conservation Reserve Program, one day a week, by appointment only on Wednesdays at the Grand Island office location. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office presence and service delivery remains unchanged in Hall County. The Grand Island NRCS Field Office will be open to provide full service, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Janelle Taubenheim, Kearney Field Office, reported on ranking schedules and contracts in Buffalo County for the Environmental Quality and Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation Program (NSWCP), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget Requests
The Eastern Projects and Western Projects committees began reviewing fiscal year 2025/2026 budget requests.

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

Staff Reports
Marcia Lee, Information/Education Specialist; Angela Warner, GIS Coordinator, and David Carr, Range Management Specialist, presented an overview of their roles and responsibilities to the Board.

Nebraska Association of Resources District
Deb VanMatre, CPNRD Representative, reported on the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts conference held in Washington, D.C. She noted that presenters included representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Farm Bureau.

Financial Report
The April financial report was approved.

Cost-Share  
Seven applications for range seeding, sensor-based management of fertigation, cover crops, soil moisture sensor, and well decommissioning through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs were approved, totaling $10,949.30.

Upcoming Board Meetings 
May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28