Attention Upper Elkhorn NRD Residents!

Water Law Changes!

The Upper Elkhorn NRD will be holding three informational meetings to discuss the updates to the UENRD Rules and Regulations to implement the Groundwater Management and Protection Act.  These updates will address the potential for new groundwater irrigated acres in both the Niobrara River Basin portion of the Upper Elkhorn NRD and the Lower Platte River Basin. 

Meeting dates and times are as follows:  

        August 30, 2011                             7:00 PM             Atkinson           Community Center

        August 31, 2011                             7:00 PM             Neligh                 American Legion Hall

        August 31, 2011                             7:00 PM             Bassett                 RC&D Office

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

RELATING TO PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR

THE UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT

The Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District (“District”) will hold a public hearing in compliance with Sections 46-707(1), 46-714(12), 46-739, and 46-743 of Nebraska Revised Statutes on Monday, on September 12, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. at the  Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District at 301 N. Harrison Street, O’Neill, NE.  The purpose of the public hearing is to take public comment on proposed rules and regulations  following the determination that the Lower Niobrara River Basin (Basin) is not fully appropriated.  The proposed rules and regulations will apply to the entire District but have special application to those areas of the Lower Niobrara River Basin and the Lower Platte River Basin that were previously determined by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to be fully appropriated.  The proposed rules will provide, in part, to: (1) limit on the number of new irrigated acres within the District to a total of 2,500 acres for the area previously designated as fully appropriated; (2) create an application process for the irrigation of new  acres; and (3) require flowmeters on new irrigated acres.

A complete copy of the proposed rules and regulations are available by mail upon request, in person at the District office, or on the District’s website at www.uenrd.org.

Any interested person may appear at the hearing and present written or oral testimony concerning this matter. Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and service necessary for participation by contacting the District by September 8, 2011.  Testimony relevant to the purposes of the hearing may also be submitted in writing to the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resource District, 301 North Harrison Street, O’Neill, NE 68763.