(Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND – The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) Board of Directors approved three agreements to implement a new Pilot Nitrogen Technology Program aimed at encouraging the adoption of sensor-based technologies across the Central Platte, Lewis and Clark, and Lower Niobrara NRDs.
The program aligns with priorities identified by the Governor’s Water Quality and Quantity Task Force and is designed to incentivize and reduce risk for producers adopting model- and sensor-based nitrogen management practices. These approaches have demonstrated the potential to improve both farm profitability and environmental stewardship.
A unique feature of the program, not commonly included in traditional cost-share efforts, allows participating producers to receive up to $80 per acre to offset any loss in profit resulting from following program recommendations.
The Board approved the following agreements:
- Grant Reimbursements: A contract with the Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) will allow the District to receive reimbursements through the One Red Grant and Water Resources Cash Fund. These funds will support partnerships with technology providers offering sensor-based nitrogen management tools. The District will administer the program through approved providers to ensure compliance, data security, and proper management of producer information. Reimbursement requests must be submitted to DWEE by February 15, 2027.
- Program Requirements: Eligible crops include corn, potatoes, and sorghum. Required data must be submitted to DWEE by January 15, 2027, including participant information, nitrogen application details (date, product, rate, and method), yield data, and management practices such as tillage, cover crops, and inhibitor use.
- Passthrough Payments: An agreement with Sentinel Ag will support program implementation and payment distribution. Sentinel Ag will enroll producers by December 1, 2026, assist with program administration, and provide the District access to collected data. Total reimbursements through CPNRD will not exceed $900,000.00.
Producers interested in participating in the Pilot Nitrogen Technology Program may contact Kelly Cole, Central Platte NRD at 308-395-7134 or cole@cpnrd.org.
OTHER BUSINESS
New Office and Education Building
- Wireless Provider: The Board approved an agreement with Five Nines for $3,193.00 to design the wireless network for the new office. The project will develop a heat map to identify access point placement, coverage, capacity, and channel and power settings. Five Nines will also provide recommendations on equipment, quantities, and network readiness to support current and future connectivity needs.
- Fiber: The Board approved an estimate of $45,345.00 from Lumen to install approximately 4,800 feet of fiber from a splice point located 1,000 feet south of 13th Road. The project will use a combination of plowing and directional boring along and under roadways to connect to the building’s basement and provide four active ports to provide 1 gigabit of data for the new facility.
- Lower Level Plan Estimate: The Board approved a change order estimate of up to $550,000 to construct 11 offices, a breakroom, and a conference room within 4,135 square feet of the new office building’s basement for tenant use.
CPNRD’s new office and education center is approximately 90% complete, with a completion date of May 2, 2026. The maintenance shop is scheduled for completion in June.
CPNRD Flow Meter Program
In 2025, Central Platte NRD received a Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant to install 100 mechanical flow meters with telemetry across the District. This program gives producers a unique opportunity to access both historical and real-time information about their groundwater pumping rates and volumes through a private, secure online login. The information collected will be used to provide data for CPNRD’s groundwater management database. Research has shown that producers using mechanical flow meters save an average of $7,500 over a 10-year period.
The Board approved the following for the NRD’s Flow Meter Program:
- Seim Ag Technology: A contract for $650,661.00 to purchase and maintain 100 flow meter packages.
- McCrometer: The Board approved a five-year service quote for $17,500.00 to provide telemetry data for 100 flow meters.
Clear Creek Dam #6 Repair
CPNRD owns and maintains the Clear Creek #6 dam near Shelby, NE. The dam was built in 1981 for flood control and is currently classified as a significant hazard structure. Safety inspection reports in 2024 identified rutting and erosion that had occurred along the crest of the dam and in the auxiliary spillway. The Board approved a bid of $72,095.30 from Kokes Construction of Ord to improve the surface embankment and add gravel, seeding, fertilizer, mulch and fencing with gates.
Natural Resources Conservation Service Report
Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, reported that USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting enrollment for the General Conservation Reserve Program through April 17, 2026. FSA will announce dates for Grassland CRP signup soon. Jason Scholz, Resources Conservationist of Grand Island, reported on a new Regenerative Pilot Program currently offered through NRCS. Primary regenerative practices include conservation crop rotation, contour farming, cover crop, forage harvest management, forest stand improvement, irrigation water management, nutrient management, pest management, prescribed grazing and no-till. Secondary practices can be added to the application. Scholz said applications are funded in order of highest ranked applications until funds are expended.
Manager’s Report
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, shared comments he plans to submit on behalf of the Central Platte NRD to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding the proposed Perkins County Canal Project. In the comments, Vogt noted that over the past 20 years, Nebraska and other water management organizations are estimated to have lost approximately 1 million acre-feet of water during the non-irrigation season due to Colorado’s use of water supplies that could have been secured if the project had been in place. He stated the project offers a direct way to help recover those losses while protecting against future reductions in water supply.
The USACE is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed project on the human and natural environment.
Violation Report on Irrigated Acres
Luke Zakrzewski, GIS Image Analyst, reported that all 17 producers who received violation letters in January for irrigating land that was not certified or approved through a transfer are expected to come into compliance.
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Jesse Mintken, Assistant Manager, reported that planning has begun for the update of the regional Central Platte NRD Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is due for renewal in 2027. CPNRD sponsored the initial plan in 2010 and its 2016 update. The two most recent updates were supported through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which previously provided a 75% federal cost share. Mintken noted that the BRIC funding has since been reduced to a 50% federal cost share, increasing the District’s local share to approximately $93,000. JEO Consulting Group’s Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Planning team assists in the plan update and will begin discussions with FEMA regarding the local funding portion.
Jurisdictions that participate in the planning process and adopt the plan locally become eligible to apply for FEMA grants aimed at implementing mitigation projects to reduce future losses from natural hazards. Those jurisdictions include Dawson, Buffalo, Hall and Merrick counties; Eustis and Oconto.
Nebraska Association of Resources District (NARD)
Deb VanMatre, CPNRD Representative, reported that the NARD Board met in March to approve sponsorships and elect officers for their Board and the NARD Risk Pool Board which governs the health insurance program for NRD employees. VanMatre was elected secretary and treasurer of the NARD Board of Directors and NARD Risk Pool Board. Other elected officers:
– Ryan Reuter of the North Platte NRD was elected president
– Mason Hoffman of the Little Blue NRD was elected vice president
– Marty Graff of the Middle Niobrara NRD now serves as past president
In addition to the president, vice president, secretary-treasurer and past president, the NARD Board executive committee includes Paul Bethune, Legislative Committee chair representing the Upper Big Blue NRD, and Deb Hansen, Information and Education Committee chair representing the Lower Niobrara NRD. The NRD managers elected Jasper Fanning, general manager of the Upper Republican NRD, as chair of the Managers Committee; and Kyle Hauschild, general manager of the Nemaha NRD, as vice-chair of the Managers Committee. The Managers Committee includes managers from all 23 Natural Resources Districts. The committee meets five times a year to coordinate NRD activities with state and federal agencies, conservation partners and other parties to protect Nebraska’s natural resources.
Water Task Force
Tom Downey, Nitrate Legacy and Drinking Water Representative, reported that the Governor’s Water Quality and Quantity Task Force delivered its final report to Gov. Jim Pillen on March 25, 2026, outlining 14 goals aimed at protecting groundwater and surface water while supporting agricultural production and economic growth across the state. Downey noted the recommendations included new funding sources for groundwater and surface water projects, nitrogen use efficiency, rural drinking water systems, soil health practices, and expanding regional water systems.
The Task Force includes 20 members representing agriculture, natural resources districts, engineering, water management and state agencies. Members met four times over the past year and worked through four subcommittees focused on nitrate contamination, drinking water access, conservation, water quantity and funding.
Financial Report
The March financial report was approved.
Cost-Share Programs
Seven applications for $28,522.76 were approved for planned grazing, burn preparation, sensor-based nutrient management, soil moisture sensor and tree planting through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs.
The Central Platte Natural Resources District Board of Directors met Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the District office, 215 Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island, for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
Upcoming Board Meetings
April 23, May 28, June 25
