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CENTRAL PLATTE NRD


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Office Information

Name Address Phone Numbers
G. James Huntwork
District Conservationist
 		 2550 North Diers, Suite L
Grand Island, NE 68803-1214
 		 Phone: (308) 395-8586
Fax: (308) 282-3688
 


  • District Conservationist Biographical Sketch
  • Resource Needs and Concerns
  • Priorities Addressed by NRCS
  • Primary Programs and Services
  • Kearney Canal/Elm Creek EQIP Priority Area
  • Central Platte NRD homepage


    Photo of Central Platte NRD District Conservationist, James Huntwork

    District Conservationist Biographical Sketch
    G. James Huntwork
    District Conservationist

     

  • 1988 -- Graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture, Curtis (UNSTA) with an Associate Degree in Soil and Water Management Technology.
  • 1991 -- Graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (UNL) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Sciences.

    Upon graduation from UNSTA, began NRCS (SCS) career in July, 1988 as a Soil Conservation Technician at the Blair Field Office. Enrolled at UNL in August, 1989 and worked as a Soil Conservationist Student Trainee at Field Office locations in McCook and David City while attending UNL. Upon graduation from UNL, worked as a Soil Conservationist at the Hartington Field Office from January, 1992 through October, 1994. Transferred to the St. Paul Field Office and worked as a Soil COnservationist and Resource Conservationist at that location from November, 1994 through March, 1998. Began duties as the District Conservationist in the Central Platte Natural Resources District on March 30, 1998.

    Resource Needs and Concerns

    A diversity of resource needs and concerns exist and have been identified by local leaders within the Central Platte NRD. These concerns include:
    • water quality concerns associated with high groundwater nitrate levels
    • water quantity concerns associated with cropland flooding and high water tables in urban areas
    • water quantity concerns associated with Platte River target flows and how those flows will impact endangered species recovery
    • irrigation systems
    • human population expansion along the Platte River
    • grazinglands health
    • soil erosion on cropland
    • and quantity and quality of wildlife habitat



    NRCS role in addressing the NRD and Local Work Group Priorities

    Priorities are most often related to water management issues. High priority items include:

    • groundwater nitrate level reduction
    • efforts to manage Platte River flows so that the interests irrigated agriculture producers may coexists with endangered species recovery and urban interests
    • floodwater management to prevent property damage and limitations to agriculture production
    • efforts to improve overall health of grazinglands
    • soil erosion on reduction on cropland
    • enhance the quality and increase quantity of wildlife habitat within the NRD


    NRCS is the primary source for technical expertise and assistance required to address the priorities identified by the NRD and Local Work Group. NRCS is actively involved in providing technical assistance related to irrigation water management and nutrient management to address water quality and quantity concerns.

    Primary programs and services

    NRCS utilizes the following programs on a routine basis to address the resource concerns and needs identified by the Central Platte NRD and to Local Work Group:

    • EQIP, WHIP, WRP, CRP, NSWCP, Various local NRD programs


    A partnership between the Central Platte Natural Resources District, and University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service, and NRCS provides educational and technical assistance related to irrigation water management in the NRD. This partnership is called "SPLASH" and more detailed information is available by clicking on "SPLASH! In Nebraska" at the Nebraska NRCS Homepage.

    Kearney Canal/Elm Creek EQIP Priority Area

    The project area is approximately 99,800 acres in size and is located in Buffalo and Dawson counties in the Central Platte Natural Resources District. The land use is 10% dryland cropland, 30% irrigated cropland, 50% grazing land, and 10% other land. Primary crops produced include corn, soybeans, and wheat. The most significant resource concerns are soil erosion, sediment deposition, water quality, water quantity, flooding, species diversity associated with grazing lands, and wetland protection. The objective of this project is to provide the catalyst for implementation of a Resource Management Initiative to balance resources in the Platte River Valley. It is a coordinated effort to provide cost-share incentive, educational and technical assistance to producers who install conservation practices. This will result in reduced soil erosion level and soil sediment deposition in surface water reservoirs and wetlands. It will also serve to reduce the nitrate and pesticide load delivered to soil and water resources, decrease flood damage, increase plant cover on grazing lands, and increase diversity and quantity of wildlife habitat.

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