RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GROUNDWATER QUANTITY MANAGEMENT SUB-AREAS, AND THE ADDITION OF CHAPTER 5, RULE 5-2, WITHIN THE LOWER LOUP NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
Groundwater Quantity: The Lower Loup Natural Resources District (LLNRD) monitors groundwater levels in the District with the goal of preserving groundwater levels. To achieve this goal, the District has been divided into 20 Groundwater Quantity Management Areas. Declining groundwater levels in portions of the District have necessitated the following:
A Public Hearing on proposed Water Quantity Management Sub-Area designations will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 4:15 p.m. at the Lower Loup Natural Resources District office in Ord, Nebraska.
The Public Hearing will be held to hear testimony on the Lower Loup NRD proposal designating Drought Zone 18 and Drought Zone 20 as Groundwater Quantity Management sub-areas, as per Chapter 8 of the LLNRD Groundwater Management Area Rules & Regulations, “Groundwater Quantity Management Sub-Areas; Designation; Controls.”
The Public Hearing will also allow for testimony related to the following proposed change to the LLNRD’s Groundwater Management Area Rules & Regulations:
Chapter 5 – IRRIGATION RUNOFF WATER
Rule 5-2
A. Cease and desist orders may also be issued for the operation of an irrigation system in a manner which allows for improper irrigation runoff water. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 46-708
1. for violations relating to improper irrigation runoff a schedule of compliance must include the identification and description of all procedures or measures to prevent, control, or abate improper irrigation runoff.
2. Such procedures of measures must include one or more of the following:
a. Irrigation scheduling using a District approved method;
b. Construction and utilization of irrigation runoff water collection and or retention systems such as furrow dikes, reuse pits, or dugouts;
c. Conversion of furrow irrigation to sprinkler or sub surface irrigation;
d. Discontinue or alter operation of center pivot, end-gun, or dump valve;
e. Execution and performance of an agreement in accordance with Rule 5-1 of these rules and regulations.
f. means to control improper irrigation runoff agreed to by violator and District.
A copy of the proposed controls may be obtained at the Lower Loup NRD Headquarters Office in Ord or online at www.llnrd.org.
Those persons unable to appear at the public hearing or those persons with lengthy testimony may wish to submit their testimony in writing.
In order to be considered by the Board of Directors for the purpose of this hearing, such testimony must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Lower Loup NRD Headquarters, 2620 Airport Drive, Ord, NE, 68862.
Persons with disabilities who wish to provide personal testimony may contact the LLNRD office to arrange auxiliary aids to accommodate testimony.
