South Platte NRD looks at initial reports from CSD, NOGC

A review of initial information from the Conservation Survey Division and the Nebraska Oil and Gas Commission was seen at the March South Platte NRD meeting.

Thad Kuntz, principal hydrogeologist for adaptive resources, presented some of the findings from the CSD and NOGC. The oil and gas well geophysical logs data is being added to information already gathered for the hydrogeology of Western Nebraska project, which is funded by a Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) grant and three NRDs, the Twin Platte, North Platte and South Platte.

Kuntz pointed out that while not all of the logs have been entered, those that have been are showing some interesting characteristics of the aquifers in Western Nebraska. Most everyone has heard of the Ogallala Aquifer, the primary aquifer in the State of Nebraska. Kuntz said there is evidence that shows Lance and Fox Hills aquifers are present in Kimball, Banner and Scotts Bluff counties, and that some of the Arikaree aquifer is located below the Ogallala aquifer. More details will be presented after all of the logs have been entered and analyzed later this year.

Following Kuntz’s presentation, the board approved pooling renewals and new pooling agreements, and the board also approved a resolution amending the interlocal agreement regarding the NET grant “Preserving CRP Grassland Benefits in Western Nebraska” which extends the grant into 2017.

The Sidney envirothon team, which took first place at the West Regional Envirothon competition on Feb. 10 in Gordon, was awarded a scholarship in the amount of $350 to cover the entry fee and help cover costs for the team to travel to Nebraska City for the Nebraska State Envirothon on April 27.

The board also approved the budget for the district’s 2016 Community Forestry program and approved a Corners for Wildlife application from Randy Faessler. Range Camp and Adventure Camp about the environment scholarships were also approved for the 2016 camps held in June. Andy Bremer was appointed by the board to the Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area Advisory Committee as a representative of the City of Kimball.