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NRD News and Events

The U.S. EPA is proposing to make the most significant changes to Rodenticides in 15 years

Monday, January 30, 2023

ALL rodenticides to be Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP)There will be no more General Use Rozol Pocket Gopher Bait, for example. Cancellation of spot/scatter and broadcast applications Cannot be made directly to food or feed crops;May only be made using tamper-resist...

Chemigation program works with partners to protect water

Friday, January 6, 2023

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s (NDEE) Chemigation Program works to ensure that those using irrigation systems to apply fertilizers and pesticides do not contaminate sources of irrigation water.The Chemigation Program works with local Natural Resou...

NDEE now accepting applications for Private Well Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is now accepting applications for the Private Well Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program.NDEE will administer $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through rebates for private well reverse osmosis systems, whi...

Livestock Waste Control Program

Sunday, January 1, 2023

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), through the Livestock Waste Control (LWC) Program, is charged with protecting Nebraska’s surface water and groundwater from discharges of livestock waste from the thousands of Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in Neb...

Reverse Osmosis Funding Available for Private Well Owners

Thursday, December 1, 2022

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has announced that funding will be available for private well owners to install RO systems to address high nitrate levels in drinking water. Information about the program requirements for eligibility can be found at the NDEE...

UNL study confirms irrigation's impact on humidity, yields possible link to rain

Monday, October 31, 2022

By: Nancy GaarderIncreased rain in Illinois and Indiana. Less rain in some Nebraska communities.Muggier weather. Changes in winds.Intense irrigation in Nebraska is having a complex effect on the weather, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say“Some of th...

Another dry winter in Nebraska could mean irrigation restrictions next year

Monday, October 31, 2022

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Severe weather, high winds and a lack of rainfall all worked against Nebraska’s farmers this summer.But the trouble started with much lower than average precipitation last winter.Nebraska’s water managers are keeping a close eye on the water leve...

83% of Nebraska kids have detectable lead levels, but unprecedented help is coming

Friday, October 28, 2022

By: Matt Chibe, Matthew MittliederLINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A recent study shows that more than half of all children in the United States have detectable lead levels in their blood, and Nebraska is even worse.According to research shared by the American J...

Precipitation Data Available on URNRD Website

Monday, August 22, 2022

The Upper Republican Natural Resources District (URNRD) has new Perkins County precipitation data available on its website.The Nebraska Water Balance Alliance (NEWBA) has installed 10 new precipitation recording sites within the HUC-12 watershed northwest and southeast of Gr...

Connecting Children to Nature

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Connecting Children to Nature NRDs play an important role in outdoor learning LINCOLN, Nebraska – Since their inception, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) have organized projects and programs to educate both youth and adults about conservation and natura...

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Regional/National Water News

Rising levels of nitrates still contaminating groundwater

03/15/2021

Nitrate levels in Nebraska’s groundwater are on the rise, especially in portions of Northeast Nebraska. The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) has analyzed the nitrate data gathered as part of the routine Groundwater Quality Sampling Program and found some...Read more

Report: Burst pipe at Mead ethanol plant leads to discharge of waste

02/18/2021

Chris Dunker A frozen pipe burst at the AltEn ethanol plant near Mead early Friday morning, causing waste to spill out of the property and onto a neighboring University of Nebraska-Lincoln research center site. Staff at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center,...Read more

More Farmers Are Planting Cover Crops Thanks To State Incentive Programs

02/10/2021

By DANA CRONIN • JAN 29, 2021 Last month, the Illinois Department of Agriculture opened applications for its second annual Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program -- which provides a crop insurance discount for each acre of cover crop a farmer plants. It filled up in less...Read more

Research shows grazing cover crops can add economic value

01/18/2021

By KAY LEDBETTER Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Growing dual-purpose wheat for both grazing and grain production is an important agricultural practice in the Southern Great Plains. But of late, more Texas Rolling Plains producers want to know if alternative systems to...Read more

Contract approved for flood mitigation evaluation

12/25/2020

Melanie Wilkinson YORK – The York City Council has agreed to enter into a contract with JEO Consulting Group which will now do a flood mitigation evaluation for the city. This goal of the study is to eventually reduce the size and number of flood plain designations in the...Read more

California Water Futures Begin Trading Amid Fear of Scarcity

12/06/2020

Water joined gold, oil and other commodities traded on Wall Street, highlighting worries that the life-sustaining natural resource may become scarce across more of the world. Farmers, hedge funds and municipalities alike are now able to hedge against -- or bet on -- future...Read more

U.S. agricultural water use declining for most crops and livestock production

11/16/2020

By Marianne Stein URBANA, Ill. – Climate change and a growing world population require efficient use of natural resources. Water is a crucial component in food production, and water management strategies are needed to support worldwide changes in food consumption and...Read more

Ogallala Aquifer’s shallowness has meant growers have to adjust

07/25/2020

Editor's Note The following is excerpted notes from Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Director of Communications Bob Kjelland who visited with Timothy Pautler, a third-generation family farmer and irrigator who lives at Stratton, Colorado, and serves on multiple boards and he...Read more

Emerald Ash Borer confirmed in Kearney

06/29/2020

by KHGI KEARNEY, Neb. — Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Kearney by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Kearney Park and Recreation staff discovered the tree on a street terrace, according to the NDA. The...Read more

Senate approves $2.8B plan to boost conservation, parks

06/22/2020

By: MATTHEW DALY Associated Press The Senate has approved a bipartisan bill that would spend nearly $3 billion on conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands WASHINGTON -- The Senate has approved a bipartisan bill that...Read more