SPNRD News
Pipeline Newsletter Files
SPNRD Continues To Review Ground Water Allocations
The South Platte Natural Resources District is continuing discussions on possible changes to regulations governing ground water allocations available for use by area irrigators.
For the past two months, District staff and board members have been reviewing ground water levels and other information brought forth in discussions to determine the best course of action to protect ground water reserves for both immediate and future uses.
In December, board members received input from Ground Water Advisory Committees in a series of meeting across the District. Ground water advisory groups are made up of water users and leaders from a cross section of District residents. The purpose of the ground water advisory committees is to advise the District board of directors on policies, ensure that all view points are considered, and to communicate on-going District programs and projects.
At their January meeting, SPNRD board members continued their review and heard more input from several irrigators. Following that discussion, board members were polled for their opinions on possible allocation changes they thought would provide protection for local aquifers.
On average, recommendations were for annual 14-inch allocations throughout the Lodgepole Valley west of Sidney. In one subarea, Oliver Reservoir to Buffalo Bend would see a two-inch allocation reduction, while the others, Pine Bluffs to Oliver Reservoir, and Buffalo Bend to Sidney, would remain the same. The average recommendation for the Sidney to Colorado State Line subarea would also result in no changes.
Potential changes could be in store for the South Platte Valley and the Tableland Subareas, which were the last to go under allocations, and have the largest amount of water available at 20 inches per year. The directors polled with an average of 18-inch allocation in the South Platte Valley subarea, while concern over large water level drops in the Tablelands resulted in suggestions ranging from 13 to 18 inches per year, with an average of about 14 inches.
The discussions come as the District works to fulfill a provision within the Districtwide Ground Water Rules and Regulations that changes to allocations be made about a year before they would have to be implemented by producers to allow irrigators to plan ahead. Current allocations are in effect for the 2012 irrigation season, and if any changes were to be made, would be implemented in 2013. District officials will continue their discussion at the February board meeting and plan to hold a public hearing and make their final decision by the March board meeting. Until the final decision is made, public input is encouraged.
In other business, board members voted to retain their current leadership lineup, with Keith Rexroth continuing as board chair. Tom Biggs is vice-chair and Paul Hutchison is the secretary. Rod Horn, District manager, continues to serve as treasurer.
The board also approved a request by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for assistance with a producer crop yield and management data collection project. A University research team is using unique modeling software that can predict yield potentials of corn and soybean crops. To continue model development, the team is collecting known crop data from across the state where possible.
2011 Water Quality Report Presented
The District’s 2011 Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program Report was presented to the Board of Directors at the January board meeting by Natural Resources Coordinator Chris Kaiser.
This was the 20th year the District has monitored nitrates. To collect date, monitoring wells were sampled quarterly, while irrigation and domestic wells were sampled twice between May and October when possible.
Kaiser reported 175 of 212 network wells were sampled at least once this past year. Some wells were not sampled because they are in deferment, while others were not used much because of the weather or the types of crops in the rotation.
In 2011, nitrate-nitrogen averages in 11 of 17 target areas were higher than the previous year, although only two, the Sidney Municipal Wells and Sidney Draw Trigger Monitoring Wells, averaged more than 10 parts-per-million, the standard Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrate-nitrogen.
The entire report can be seen at the South Platte NRD office, 511 Parkland Dr. in Sidney, or at the Resources Reports page.
Board Approves Changes To Rules and Regulations
At its May meeting, the board of directors adopted an order giving approval to the Amended and Restated Districtwide Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations. The action also repeals three other ground water management documents that were incorporated into the new rules and regulations.
The overhaul of the Districtwide Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations streamlines the documents related to management of the District’s ground water in relation to both quantity and quality. The various rules and regulations were formed at varying times over the years.
The documents incorporated into the new rules and regulations included: the Lodgepole Creek Ground Water Management Subarea Rules and Regulations; Cheyenne County Ground Water Management Subareas Rules and Regulations; and Deuel County Ground Water Management Subareas Rules and Regulations. Those were repealed as part of the board action.
Several updates were also made in relation to ground water quality management to address current issues.
One of those, in Section 7.7.1.1, provides that the board may, if necessary, elevate management in a Quality Management Subarea in more quickly if water quality is being adversely affected and more intense management is needed. Under the District’s water quality management system, phased management may be instituted depending on contaminant triggers and their relation to federal quality standards. Normally, phased management can be initiated when trigger levels are reached for three consecutive years. With this rule, the board could address sudden and drastic changes in ground water quality without waiting if necessary.
Wellhead protection is added to water quality management in Section 7.8, providing an avenue where communities can seek further assistance from the NRD if needed. An example would be a case of high contaminants within a community’s Wellhead Protection Area. The community could work with the NRD to study the problem and make recommendations to the board of directors on managing the problem.
The variance process will change under the new guidelines, allowing NRD staff to address some problems. Currently, all variances must be approved by the board, and the change may expedite the process in some cases.
Lienholders will now be notified of potential modifications to land uses under Section 6.8.11., which results from changes in state law. The change provides that lienholders must be in agreement with proposals to transfer water, and also to any financial incentive program and/or any transfer of certified water uses or certified irrigated acres. The legislation also allows the NRD to establish a non-refundable fee to offset increased expenses associated with management actions.
Key changes relating to ground water quantity management include Rule 6.8.5, which applies to the transfer of certified irrigated acres. The change describes the manner in which certified irrigated acres may be transferred by limiting transfers to within floating townships and reduces the percentage of the allocation that must be used before transfer is authorized.
Transfers are also addressed in an amendment to Rule 6.8.6. It describes how permanent and temporary transfers of allocation may occur, which among other conditions, includes limiting transfers to within floating townships and also describes the manner in which temporary, full and partial transfers/permanent full or partial transfers of allocations may occur.
Rule 5 was also amended under the new order. It allows for general procedures for enforcement that alleged violations and/or cease and desist orders may, among others, be issued for the specified reasons and SPNRD may enforce the rules and regulations through voluntary compliance and/or through enforcement actions and impose penalties.
A complete copy of the new Districtwide Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations can be seen by clicking here, or may be obtained by contacting the office.
The rules and regulations became effective June 10, 2011.
Three Groups Earn Groundwater Guardian Designations For 2010
The South Platte NRD was among three local groups earning designations from the Groundwater Foundation in 2010 for work they perform toward the protection of ground water.
For the 11th straight year, the Sidney Groundwater Guardian Team has received its Groundwater Guardian designation. The team was developed by the South Platte NRD, the city of Sidney and local business leaders with two goals – to assist with the local children’s ground water festival, and to stencil the message, “Do Not Dump, Drains To Stream” near 25 percent (125) of Sidney’s storm drain inlets to alert others as to the fate of runoff water and the materials carried with it from lawns and streets.
Since then, the team and its plans have grown and this year it had six major goals, or “Result Oriented Activities,” (ROAs) geared toward further protection of local ground water resources. Among those efforts, team members introduced the Groundwater Guardian Green Site program to owners of highly managed properties, helped with the Sidney Wellhead Protection Plan, continued work with the Western Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival, and helped to develop and facilitate an Urban Best Management Practices Workshop. Through the years the team has also continue the drain stenciling program.
Groundwater Guardian (GG) encourages communities of all types (cities, counties, watersheds, etc.) to begin and enhance groundwater education and protection activities. Groundwater Guardian supports communities in their efforts and recognizes their achievements.
The Sidney team is led by Bill Taylor from the city of Sidney and includes team members from SPNRD, UNL Extension, the ag/business sector, a teacher and one general citizen.
The South Platte NRD took an additional step in its Groundwater Guardian role this year, becoming a Groundwater Guardian Affiliate. As an affiliate, the SPNRD works with local Groundwater Guardian teams to develop and meet ROAs, and also works with communities to form additional teams.
Ricky and Lucy’s Greenhouse north of Sidney was one of two groups designated as a Groundwater Green Site for 2010, the third year it has earned the designation. The South Platte NRD was also designated as a Green Site for the first time.
The GG Green Site program recognizes good stewards of groundwater by encouraging managers of highly-managed green spaces (golf courses, ball fields, parks, etc.) to implement, measure, and document their groundwater-friendly practices.
For more information on Groundwater Guardian Programs and how you can participate, contact the South Platte NRD at 308-254-2377.
Board Looks At Economic Impact
The South Platte Natural Resources District board of directors accepted a report at its October 2010 meeting, outlining possible affects of District actions on the area’s economy.
The report, entitled “The Economic Impact of the South Platte NRD’s Integrated Management Plan and Districtwide Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations,” was commissioned by the District to see what affects its regulations might have.
Dr. Eric Thompson, director of the University of Nebraska Department of Economics, performed the study at the District’s request.
Looking at the District’s Integrated Management Plan (IMP) and Districtwide Rules and Regulations and steps that both take to reduce consumptive use of water to protect local ground water resources and meet state requirements, the study focuses on reduction of district ground water uses in the first 10 years following implementation of the IMP. State statute requires that within that initial incremental period, overappropriated areas be returned to fully appropriated status. The SPNRD IMP went into effect July 20, 2008.
In his summary, Dr. Thompson says reduced allocations and conversions of irrigated cropland to other uses would have an impact on the region’s agricultural production, and in turn have implications for the District economy as a whole. The impacts, however, are a modest portion of the District’s economy, according to Dr. Thompson.
The report estimates changes to agricultural practices would see lower amounts of corn, alfalfa and sugar beet production within the District, while dryland crops such as wheat and dry beans would increase. Because of the shift, Dr. Thompson’s estimates indicated other portions of the economy linked to the ag market would see slight dips.
Dr. Thompson’s report states that the adopted IMP changes to the Districtwide Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations will allow continued, if reduced, use of ground water for crop irrigation while maintaining water for other key uses within the District.
In his summary, Dr. Thompson says in part “the economic impact is 0.09 percent of output (business receipts) in the District economy, 0.08% loss in labor income and a 0.16% loss in District employment.”
Keith Rexroth, board chair, says the report is another important tool staff and board members will be able to use as they strive to protect the District’s natural resources.
“We work to develop as much information as possible so we know what the conditions of our resources are, and how the work we do affects each person within the District,” says Rexroth.
The board also received continued reports from Water Resources Manager Kyle Liebig, who updated members on progress being made toward certifications of industrial and commercial water usage. The water resources department has been working with large industrial/commercial water users to establish baseline amounts of ground water used regularly.
Ground water from such operators goes to a wide variety of uses, including construction projects, agricultural spraying, gravel pits, oil field work and others.
The board also approved the modification of their agreement to J.M. Neil & Associates for engineering services by Norm Koester on the East Sidney Drainage Project. J.M. Neil & Associates made the request due to additional unanticipated work on the project that arose following surveys and inspection of the site.
SPNRD Coordinates Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Development
South Platte Natural Resources District is coordinating a planning effort to develop a “Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan” for a three county area, including all of Kimball, Cheyenne, and Deuel Counties in coordination with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR), Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Each community, county, school district, and other special district located in the planning area is eligible, and encouraged, to participate in the planning process.
The hazard mitigation plan is a publicly-guided document that will identify local vulnerability to natural disasters such as flood, drought, earthquake, wildfire, winter storm, tornado/high wind storm, dam failure, etc. The plan will set goals to establish mitigation alternatives, and prioritize projects which can alleviate potential damages to property and provide protection when future disasters occur. Proactive hazard mitigation planning allows a community to take actions to reduce or eliminate those threats.
In order to reinforce the importance of hazard mitigation planning and to emphasize planning for disasters before they occur, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) legislation was signed into law on October 10, 2000 (Public Law 106-390). This act established that a pre-disaster hazard mitigation program would be required before funding post-disaster mitigation projects. According to the DMA 2000, a community must have a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan in order to receive project grant funds. Once a hazard mitigation plan is developed and adopted, the jurisdiction will also be eligible for pre-disaster mitigation project grants to implement the mitigation solutions identified in the plan.
Once approved by both NEMA and FEMA, the plan can be adopted by each local participating jurisdiction. South Platte NRD has hired JEO Consulting Group, Inc. to assist with the development of the plan over the next year. This project is being funded by federal cost-share from FEMA.
For more information on this planning effort contact Ryan Reisdorff, Water Resources Programs Specialist, at (308) 254-2377 or rreisdorff@spnrd.org.
Platte Basin-Wide Water Management Progress Reviewed
Officials from Platte Basin Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) met for a review of the Basin-wide Plan for Joint Integrated Water Resources Management of the Overappropriated Portion of the Platte River Basin, Nebraska.
2011 was the second year of implementation of the joint plan, which went into effect September 11, 2009 and will protect the water resources for current and future generations. Districts involved include the North Platte NRD, the South Platte NRD, the Twin Platte NRD, the Central Platte NRD, and the Tri-Basin NRD.
During the meeting, the DNR and the NRDs presented information on progress being made on individual integrated management plans (IMPs) including a number of programs that range from those designed to reduce consumptive use of water within the basin to various methods of tracking progress. In total the NRDs have returned over 3,500 acre feet annually to the river. All basin members, as well as the DNR, have or participate in various programs to provide funding for agricultural producers that make it easier to reduce consumptive use and maintain the economic viability of the area.
The South Platte NRD’s proactive steps put the district almost 20 years ahead of schedule in meeting its IMP mark and should not have depletions to the stream until 2028. Since the IMP went into effect, the NRD has further advanced progress in reaching its IMP benchmark by using a number of voluntary incentive programs to permanently retire certified irrigated acres and accrue an additional 398 acre-feet of water consumption credit. Additionally, the District has tightened its water use regulations, lowering the total amount of ground water allocated in the overappropriated area of Lodgepole Creek. A moratorium on large capacity wells and new or expanded uses is in place.
The NRDs and the State of Nebraska have worked together to develop plans to protect the future of all Nebraska water users, including municipal, industrial, domestic, livestock and irrigation to protect everyone -- not just one organization or group.
In general the plans’ goals include protecting and increasing flows in the Platte River, working with all water users to resolve disputes, increase water use efficiency and reduce consumptive use.
Program Provides Options To Preserve Area’s Grassland Cover
With the potential expiration of contracts protecting more than 260,000 acres of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in the Panhandle by 2013, Panhandle natural resources districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service have teamed together to preserve regional grassland cover.
Preserving CRP Benefits in Western Nebraska, a three year program funded by the NRDs and a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET), seeks to ensure highly erodible land remains in cover, yet continues to produce income for landowners.
Originally focusing on lands at high risk for erosion, CRP removed them from agricultural production and established native or alternative vegetative cover in an effort to stop soil erosion. Since then, the CRP program has expanded to protect land and water resources, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.
With the large amount of acres that could potentially be returned to production due to expiring contracts, officials have been concerned over the possible loss of CRP’s benefits to air, water, soil and wildlife resources. With that in mind the NRDs, with the South Platte as lead agency, joined the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and NRCS for a NET grant to help landowners with CRP contracts maintain their grasslands.
Funding to build perimeter fences around CRP ground is one of the program’s main benefits. While NRCS programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) provide for assistance with other components to implement a livestock grazing system, perimeter fences are not.
To round out grazing practices, producers can use EQIP assistance for livestock water wells, pipelines, cross fencing, inter-seeding and re-seeding of land, and more.
For those who wish to maintain the benefits of the grassland, but do not want a grazing system, other options are also available through NRCS. Their specialists can help form a plan that could include windbreaks, wildlife habitat or enhancements, or other options.
The three-year program is ready to take initial applications, which will be accepted year-around. Those applications should be ranked and recommended for award approximately once every quarter.
For more program information, contact your local NRCS or NRD office.
Helicopter Scans Provide New Look At Geology
When the first Helicopter Electromagnetic (HEM) system took flight over the South Platte NRD in June of 2008, it was a relatively new concept in exploring Nebraska’s water formations. Test flights had been performed in the eastern part of the state, but in the west, with widely varying formations at vastly different depths – capabilities were still an unknown.
Since then, a number of additional flights, both contracted and flown as free demonstrations of companies’ capabilities, have traversed parts of the District.
Using a sensor underneath a helicopter flying 200 feet above the ground, very high and very low frequency magnetic impulses are used to read underground features, similar to MRI or CT scans used by doctors. Like doctor’s scans, the electromagnetic signals differentiate between different materials through signal reactions. Those differences allow scientists to determine the makeup, size and other aquifer variables.
The area’s wide range of geologic water holding formations has resulted in varying readings – depending on which system is used and which areas are flown. Two types of systems, which send and receive the impulses in different ways, have been successful in distinctive situations. With one method, readings were exceptional at shallower depths and less so in deeper layers. The second was the opposite, gaining in clarity in deeper reaches. This year a third company flew the block with the hope its systems would read the formations through all layers.
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| Preliminary reporting shows surface features of a test block overflown by electromagnetic equipment (top). The photo below shows scientists the geologic formations under the surface. USGS Graphics |
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Despite the difference, all the data gained so far has been useful to project scientists. Early on, as geologist Jim Cannia with the United States Geological Survey and geoscientist Steve Sibray with the Conservation and Survey Division reviewed information, it confirmed much of what their years of experience in the area had told them.
But as more information was gathered and interpreted Sibray, Cannia and others began to see geologic features no one knew were there.
Cannia says in some places the information is changing the understanding of the aquifer. The new “look” is also providing a greater understanding of how the aquifers developed.
“But mostly, it gives us a knowledge of how things actually are,” Cannia says.
The original two-year, $800,000 project, funded largely through a Nebraska Environmental Trust grant, was a joint effort between the South Platte and North Platte NRDs to fly over about 768 linear miles of ground. Of that, 220 were in the South Platte NRD in Kimball, Cheyenne and Deuel counties. Along the Lodgepole Creek portion the HEM made two passes 1,500 feet apart from near the Wyoming state line to just southeast of Chappell. The Sidney Draw survey involved multiple passes on a slanting line starting in Sidney draw southwest of Sidney and end northwest of town.
Last year, additional flights were made southeast of Big Springs and along additional areas of Lodgepole Creek across the District. A “test block” was also flown for the first time north of Sidney by another company demonstrating different technology.
While readings from the 60-foot-wide passes don’t look like much area on a map, they represent a mountain of information that would take almost insurmountable amounts of time and money to accumulate through older methods.
Geologists traditionally used bore holes to collect subsurface information. Cannia says to get the information garnered by flights in the South Platte and North Platte NRDs, it would take about 5,600 bore holes, costing more than $8.5 million and “who knows how much time.”
Even so, bore holes are still a significant part of the equation. As Sibray explains, bore holes allow for comparisons between actual rock types. He says that data, combined with readings from the electromagnetic studies, help provide a complete picture. Sibray says part of the significance of having helicopter studies in the mix is that for studying larger areas, “it will make things much more cost effective.”
Once enough information is gathered within an area, the scientists may be able to determine the size of aquifers, determine their holding capacities and the affects of water withdrawal. Understanding the different formations should also provide a better understanding of how water flows toward and through aquifers, calculate how much water is there, and gives a feel for the sustainability of the aquifer.
As the knowledge continues to grow, Cannia and Sibray agree the new information should provide useful to the NRD boards of directors as an additional tool for ground water management.
The USGS report from the first flights is currently in the agency’s review process, after which it will be published and released. In the process, the data, information and conclusions are peer-reviewed by specialists in the pertaining fields to ensure the quality and integrity of its science.
WANTED: Local weather watchers for NeRAIN
Volunteers are needed in Cheyenne, Deuel and Kimball counties to volunteer for a special project for studying the complex patterns of rain, hail and snow in Nebraska.
NeRAIN, (the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network) is looking for volunteers – preferably with Internet access -- willing to report measurements of precipitation using high quality backyard rain gauges.
The 13 NRDs in the project area, which covers most of the state, received a $15,000 grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust to purchase the rain gauges. Gauges will be provided to volunteers free of charge.
The project aims to include as many as 80 volunteers – one per township – in Cheyenne, Deuel and Kimball counties. To date, 30 volunteers are taking part in the South Platte NRD.
Christ Kaiser, natural resources coordinator at the NRD, is the local NeRAIN coordinator.
Kaiser encourages residents throughout the district to apply to participate in the program. Because the goal is to have a volunteer in each township in the district, the NRD will select from the applications based on geographic area. After the volunteers are selected, Kaiser provides a brief training session and provides the gauges.
Precipitation reports by volunteers will be transmitted via the Internet to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources each day. Climate analysts will process the data and prepare detailed maps showing rainfall patterns. Scientists and water managers will study these maps to learn how storms develop and move across the region and to make water-use decisions.
NeRAIN information will be updated daily and available for public access on the web at http://dnrdata.dnr.ne.gov/NeRAIN/.
For more information or to volunteer, call the South Platte NRD at (308) 254-2377.
Citizens' Group Monitors Environmental Impact
In keeping with its mission to protect and manage natural recources, one activity the District is involved with is the Citizen’s Monitoring Committee (CMC) at Kimball.
The local group, established by the South Platte NRD and the Kimball community, monitors the environmental impact of operations at Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. (CHESI).
The facility is an incinerator operation five miles south of Kimball which disposes of about 54,000 tons of hazardous waste each year.
Under an agreement between the District and CHESI, the groups work together to maintain the program, which provides the District the opportunity and ability to monitor the facility’s impact throughout its active life and 30 years after it closes.
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are the agencies that regulate operations, while SPNRD and the CMC work with CHESI based on the voluntary agreement, which allows local input.
Part of the CMC’s mission is to collect information regarding the plant’s operation and look out for the welfare of residents. The committee has a comprehensive monitoring program, which employs specialists from MILCO Environmental Services to help perform reviews of Clean Harbors’ monitoring practices, files and records.
The Committee recently hosted NDEQ and EPA officials at an information session. The meeting was part of the process required for CHESI to renew its primary operating permit in accordance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act. CHESI is also seeking changes to its permit to operate a Class I Air Contaminant Source.
The CMC encourages area residents to attend such sessions, as well as regular meetings throughout the year, where they can receive information regarding the CHESI operation and given an opportunity to ask questions regarding permits, technical data or other items.
The Committee is chaired by Larry Stahla. Vice-chair is Jim Cederburg and Duane Janicek is secretary. Peggy Sanders and Will Brown also serve. All are from Kimball. SPNRD board member Jim Johnson and General Manager Rod Horn are also on the committee.
