Since 2015, the Lower Loup Natural Resources District and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources have worked together to develop a Voluntary-Integrated Management Plan. This plan is a “how-to” when it comes to the two agencies managing water use and supply in the Lower Loup Natural Resources District and was approved by the NRD Board of Directors and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in May 2016. LLNRD General Manager at the time, Leon “Butch” Koehlmoos said, “the integrated management plan’s chief objective is to achieve and sustain a balance between water uses and water supplies for the long term.” He said that the final product was the result of a joint effort between the NRD, DNR, and water-use stakeholders. Koehlmoos said that the IMP will allow for continued economic growth and still protect current groundwater and surface water users. He said that much of the plan reflects regulations already in place by the NRD and DNR so that the average user may not notice any changes in water regulation. He said that if any modifications were required in the future, those changes would have to be approved by both the NRD and DNR. The LLNRD Integrated Management Plan was created following a series of meetings where water use stakeholders offered guidance and suggestions in the plan’s various elements.
View the plan here.
DNR Adoption Order: https://dnr.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/water-planning/lower-platte/lower-loup-NRD/20160509_Order_LLIMP.PDF
All State Approved Integrated Management Plans: https://dnr.nebraska.gov/water-planning/approved-water-management-plans
