Pooling renewal, application deadline approaching

Several items presented at the February South Platte NRD Board meeting include the approval of pooling renewals already received for the upcoming allocation period that begins in 2016 and runs through 2019.

Pooling renewals and applications are due to the South Platte NRD by Feb. 29.

The 2015 annual Ground Water Quality Monitoring Program report was presented to the board by Chris Kaiser, natural resources coordinator for the South Platte NRD. The report showed that for the third year in a row the Lodgepole Valley Ground Water Management Area (GWMA) in Deuel County has been under the 65 percent maximum capacity level, or MCL, trigger. The Sidney GWMA remains in Phase II, which requires producers in that subarea to abide by the district’s nitrogen reporting program. This is the 23rd year that nitrates have been monitored in the district with monitoring wells sampled quarterly and irrigation and domestic wells sampled twice per year.

Kent Zimmerman, natural resources projects assistance director with Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, presented to the board changes the State Erosion and Sediment Control Act program due to legislation adopted in 2015.

Amendments to the district’s recreation areas rules were also approved by the board which prohibit the use of ATVs and UTVs within the recreation area boundaries, except by management personnel of the district or on the frozen surfaces of the lake at Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area. Harry and Ann Gillway were also granted permission to run a kayak, paddleboat and paddleboard vending business during the summer of 2016 and to serve as camp hosts at Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area. They will also provide information and assistance to visitors.

The board also voted not to approve the GrowSmart IM3000 Flow Meter to the district’s list of approved flow meters.