Phase II Groundwater Quality Management Area
7.5 to 9.5 PPM Nitrate-Nitrogen

Phase II Map

1.)  A continuation of Phase I activities will remain in effect unless modified or negated by Phase II requirements.

2.)  The District will require the certified operator to accomplish a deep soil sampling analysis (mandatory two foot sample, three foot sample encouraged, if applicable) for nitrate-nitrogen content on each field larger than 40 acres with more than 50 pounds per acre per year of actual nitrogen fertilizer applied.   The sample must be collected and analyzed using UENRD approved methods.  Approved sampling and analysis techniques will be included as part of the District's educational program.  This analysis will give the certified operator knowledge of usable and inaccessible nitrogen in the soil profile.

3.)  Certified operators must submit a report (Phase II Reporting Form) to the UENRD by February 1 following each crop year on forms provided by the District for areas larger than 40 acres where more than 50 pounds per acre per year of actual nitrogen fertilizer is applied.  The report may consist of, but is not limited to, the following sections:

Section I.  Nutrient Management
Section II.  Pest Management
Section III.  Irrigation Management

     An informational packet will be provided to each of the certified operators containing any necessary information and a list of possible information sources.  Similar reports are used by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  This continuity allows for greater information exchange and dissemination.  Many different sources of information will be available to certified operators should questions arise.  The District reserves the right to request additional information needed to assist in the successful implementation of this Groundwater Management Plan.

4.)  The District will encourage certified operators to incorporate credits from application of animal waste (solid or affluent) and municipality waste into the total nitrogen requirement for the specific crop where this application of waste is made.  An analysis of waste slurry will be encouraged to apply animal and municipality waste evenly over as many acres as possible.  The following rules and regulations apply to the application of animal municipal waste, accordingly:

a)  All required livestock waste facilities must be properly permitted by the State of Nebraska.

b)  Nitrogen application including livestock waste (solid or affluent) should not exceed crop need.

c)  Waste will not be spread on land subject to frequent flooding (subject to flooding more than once in a ten year period) or in areas during peak flood periods.

d)  Waste will not be spread within 200 feet of, and draining into, adjacent water bodies.

e)  Spreading of animal and municipality waste on frozen or snow covered ground will be discouraged.  Animal and municipality waste can be applied to land where slopes are four percent or less or have adequate erosion control practices.

f) A nitrogen analysis of animal waste slurry will be encouraged during the growing season if the slurry is applied through an irrigation distribution system.

5.)  Fall (September 23 to December 20) and Winter (December 21 to March 1) application of commercial nitrogen fertilizer will not be allowed before November 1 and will be discouraged until after March 1 on all soils.  Exceptions will be allowed for Spring and Fall seeded crops and meadows if the actual nitrogen fertilizer application rate is less than 20 pounds per acre.

6.)  The use of monitoring equipment (i.e., flow meters, rain gauges, hour meters, etc.) and distribution equipment (i.e. pressure regulators, low pressure nozzles, etc.) for efficient fertilizer and water distribution will be encouraged by the District.

Back to the Top

Back to Upper Elkhorn NRD Water Page

Back to Upper Elkhorn NRD Home Page

For more information on the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District contact them at tnaprstek@uenrd.org or call 402-336-3867.

_{Copyright 1999 Upper Elkhorn Natural Resource District
Last updated 12-07-04
Website by Midwest Internet Designs}