Nitrates in groundwater are a topic that has received a lot of attention lately.
Recent articles from the Flatwater Free Press and Omaha World-Herald reported that high nitrate levels may cause uranium to become mobile and absorb into water. University of Nebraska Medical Center studies have shown a correlation between high nitrates in drinking water and the occurrence of cancer in humans.
To promote the responsible application of nitrogen fertilizer, the Lower Loup NRD Board of Directors recently made some changes to rules that deal with water quality. Those rule changes went into effect on April 15, 2023, and can be viewed anytime at www.llnrd.org.
The Lower Loup NRD Board of Directors did not pass the proposed rule that would have banned the fall application of commercial nitrogen fertilizer on irrigated land. Instead, the Board opted to allow producers to cooperate with the LLNRD to demonstrate good stewardship without the need for additional regulations at this time.
The Board of Directors has committed to revisiting the proposed ban of fall application of commercial nitrogen fertilizer on irrigated land at its February 2024 meeting.
The Lower Loup NRD staff continues gathering real-time scientific data in the field and is working with producers to promote efficient and effective ways to apply and utilize nitrogen fertilizer while also protecting our valuable water quality.