Middle Niobrara NRD  

Priorities Addressed by Partnership

Conservation Assistance
 

Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program

In FY 1998, the Middle Niobrara NRD received a total of $93,000 from the State of Nebraska. That money is passed on as cost share to landowners who install approved conservation practices. Typically most of the cost share money in the Middle Niobrara NRD is allocated for Planned Grazing Systems and Tree Planting. Other practices such as Grade Stabilization Structures, Dams, and Range Seeding are also provided assistance. The following represents the funds provided to cooperators during the year.

Wetlands and Riparian Habitat Assistance

The district signed an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help provide assistance to landowners desiring to protect or enhance wetlands and riparian areas. Funds are provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service with technical and administrative assistance provided by the NRD. A program was developed for providing assistance to cooperators. During FY1998, $5687.25 was provided to one project.

District Projects


Lake Minnechaduza Renovation

For several years the NRD has been working with several agencies and area landowners on the renovation of Lake Minnechaduza located near Valentine. Engineering studies have indicated that restoration of the lake and upgrading of the dam would cost between $900,000 and $1,200,000 depending on the amount of silt removed from the lake. Working with the City of Valentine, Cherry County, NPPD, Game and Parks Commission and adjacent landowners, a grant application was submitted for Environmental Trust Funds. The application did not score enough points to receive funds. Efforts are being made to reapply for funding in 1999.

Sand Draw Creek Improvement Project

Concern regarding erosion on Sand Draw Creek in Brown County continues to increase. With the assistance of the Ainsworth Irrigation District, Cherry County, and NRCS, the district developed an Environmental Trust Application for planning and construction of a dam and several other structures on Sand Draw Creek. In order to increase the possibility of obtaining the grant, the project was broken down into phases with the first phase cost estimated at $166,000. The application was revised and submitted to the Nebraska Environmental Trust for funding, however it was not scored high enough to receive funding.

Niobrara Scenic River Activities

Management of the Niobrara National Scenic River with the formation of a local council in 1997. The District has one representative on the council who is required to attend the group's monthly meetings. Much of the Council's first year was spent with basic issues such as establishing rules and securing funding. The State of Nebraska agreed to provide $175,000 in funds over a three year period. Some funding has also been provided by the National Park Service. The district's manager also serves as the chair of the Scenic River Advisory Commission which has not met since the formation of the local council.

Brewer Bridge Access Area

Brewer Bridge Access Area, which is located along the Niobrara River near Sparks, was constructed in 1990 and provides public access for users of the waterway. Increased use over the past 3 seasons has resulted in erosion problems on the launch ramp and parking area. As a result, it is necessary to upgrade both areas and the district is in the process of completing this work. District staff have worked with the National Park Service on possible design for the ramp. It is hoped that the work can be completed in time for the 1999 season.

Cowboy Trail Grant Assistance

The staff assisted the communities of Wood Lake, Nenzel, and Valentine with obtaining grants for constructing and installing trailheads for the new Cowboy Trail. ISTEA funds were received by the city of Valentine to construct additional connector trails in the community. An interlocal agreement between Valentine, Nenzel, Ainsworth, Johnstown, Bassett, and Long Pine for the purpose of obtaining Block Grants assistance for trailhead development was also completed. Construction activities  on many of the projectsstarted in 1998.


Ground and Surface Water Programs

District Water Levels

Since 1975, the district has measured water levels throughout the NRD. Data collected from the wells is shared with USGS and the UNL Conservation and Survey Division. They user the data to calculate statewide water level changes. For the cooperative effort, 40 wells are measured throughout the district. In 1996, 45 additional wells were measured in northeast Cherry and Western Keya Paha Counties as part of the watch area which was established in this portion of the NRD. The district's goal is to have six
monitoring wells per township in this area. Data collected is used to calculate baseline water levels which determine need for
additional management in the watch area.

Installation of Monitoring Wells

The district installed seven monitoring wells in northeastern Cherry County in 1998. The wells will be used for recording changes in water levels as well as collecting water samples. Chase Well Drilling of Ainsworth was hired by the district to complete the project.  Money provided through the natural resources enhancement fund was used to pay for the installation of the wells. Cost of the project was approximately $15,000.

Establishment of Groundwater Level Watch Area

In accordance with the district's Groundwater Management Plan, the NRD established two groundwater level watch areas in July 1995. These areas will be targeted for additional management. The areas are located in northeastern Cherry and western Keya Paha Counties. A baseline for the designation of a management or control area will be determined in the watch areas.

Well Registration Records

The District has all well registration information stored on a computer database. As new well registrations are received, they are entered on the computer. Copies of well registrations are kept on file at the district offices in Valentine and Ainsworth. Well registration information is made available to the public upon request. Well registrations were reviewed and updated in the groundwater level watch area portion of the NRD. This was done to determine how many wells were still active and to update ownership. There are plans to update well registrations district-wide in the future.

Water Quality Sampling

The district has developed a network of over 175 wells which are monitored periodically for water quality. Much of the monitoring focuses on nitrate levels in the district although pesticide monitoring is also done. All wells are measured biennially with wells in critical areas sampled annually. Samples collected are sent to a lab for analysis.

Residual Nitrate Management 319 Project

The Residual Nitrate Management Project (RNMP) worked with producers in North Central Nebraska. Project implementation was carried out by Cooperative Extension as part of an agreement with the NRD. Work focused on encouraging producers to utilize deep sampling to determine the residual nitrate which then could be incorporated into fertilizer budgets. Field work on the project was completed in the spring of 1998 with the final report due in the fall of 1998.

WQIP-STEAP 319 Project

During the early 90's, the district received a 310 grant in the amount of $60,000 to provide technical assistance to cooperators in the USDA-WQIP Project in the Ainsworth Irrigation District Area. Assistance during the four year life of the project focused on providing advice on fertilizer recommendations and the development of educational programs. A project Coordinator was hired at the start to implement the program. Cooperative Extension co-sponsored the project and proviced a considerable amount of staff
assistance. All outstanding WQIP contracts were completed by the end of 1997. Field work for the STEAP Project was also completed in late 1997, with the final report submitted to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality in July 1998. The project assisted with the implementation of best management practices on 15,000 acres in the Ainsworth area. Much of the work and data collected as a result of the project has been beneficial to the implementation of the district's groundwater management plan.


Alternative Fertilizer Resources Management 319 Project

Working with BKR Cooperative Extension, the district applied for and received a grant to assist with managing livestock waste in the Brown County area. The project will assist feedlot operations and local producers with properly utilizing feedlot waste and sewer sludge as fertilizer. A demonstration site will be developed to monitor the application rates of the waste products. It is hoped that livestock waste can be utilized as a fertilizer if applied at the appropriate rates. The NRD has contracted with BKR Extension
to complete this project. The district will receive $24,000 in grant assistance. The local contribution will be provided by Cooperative Extension. It is anticipated that the project will be completed in 2000.

Groundwater Management Area Establishment

The NRD is in the process of establishing a district-wide groundwater management area. rules and regulations are in the process of being developed and should be in place in 1999. Rules will focus on nitrate concerns particularly in the eastern portions of the NRD.  Prior to adopting the new regulations, several hearings will be held to receive public input. 

Information and Education Program


Scholarships to Range Camp

Each year the district provides scholarships to area youths who desire to attend 4H range camp or natural resources leadership camp. Both are held annually in Halsey. Generally, the NRD contributes $100 towards the registration fee. No students attended from the Middle Niobrara NRD in 1998.

College Scholarships

High School seniors planning to attend a Nebraska college or university and major in a natural resources related field are eligible to receive a $300 scholarship from the district. Kristen Nollette of Nenzel received the scholarship in 1998. The NRD hopes that this program will help encourage students to consider a career in natural resources.

District Newsletter

The district newsletter "Sand and Soapweed" is published on a quarterly basis. It is mailed to approximately 1000 persons and businesses throughout the NRD. This includes ranchers, farmers, landowners, and various agencies. The newsletter contains information on district programs and events.

Conservation Days and Water Fairs

The district participants in student Conservation Days and water fairs on a regular basis. Events are usually coordinated with other resources agencies such as NRCS, and Cooperative Extension. The past several years a Conservation Day for Cherry County 6th and 7th graders. Water fairs are usually held on alternating years for area 4th and 5th graders.

Children's Groundwater Festival

The district has been one of several local agencies participating in the Children's Groundwater Festival in Ground Island. it is held annually in March. The festival anuualy attracts 3500 to 5000 students from across the state.

Farm and Ranch Conservation Awards

Annually, two deserving farms and/or ranches are selected by the district to receive this conservation award. It was developed to recognize a long-term commitment to soil and water conservation, particularly the installation of on-the-land practices. Recipients receive an enlarged aerial photograph of their farm or ranch and are invited to attend the district's Annual Awards banquet. Area banks have assisted the NRD with the funding of this program. the 1996 recipients were Henry Rudnick of Ainsworth and Philomene Kime of Valentine.

Grassland Manager and Tree Planter Awards

The district selects outstanding Tree Planter and Grassland Manager Award recipients on alternating years. Recipients are honored at the annual awards dinner. Names of the award winners are submitted to the NARD as nominees for the State Outstanding Grassland Manager and Tree Planter Awards. In 1997, George Janssen of Gordon was selected as the district's outstanding tree planter.

News Releases

Throughout the year, the Middle Niobrara NRD staff sends news releases to area newspapers and radio stations to promote NRD activites and services.

KVSH Radio Spot

For several years, KVSH radio in Valentine has provided the NRD with a free radio segment once a month. The time is used to inform the public about district programs and activities.

North Central Nebraska Ranch Expo

Along with the Upper Elkhorn NRD, the district has co-sponsored a tent at the Ranch Expo in Bassett. Each NRD brings tree planting equipment and a tent is rented for exhibiting indoor items. Giveaway items are distributed during the two days. It is estimated that 500 people visit the display.