KHAS Weather
NRD celebrates 40 years
High winds forced Husker Harvest Days to close a little earlier than expected Wednesday, but that didn't stop thousands of people from stopping by Wednesday morning to check out what's new and exciting.
One place where they're celebrating is at the Natural Resources District building. It's their 40th Anniversary. News 5's Josh Egbert has more on the big celebration and something new they're working on. For 40 years now Nebraska Natural Resources District has been educating and protecting agriculture all across the state, and they look forward to doing it for 40 more. joe-"We're very unique; we're the only system like this," said NRD President Joe Anderjaska. Since 1972, they've been providing conservation programs in the state. "We're locally elected, and I think we're an envy of all the states," Anderjaska said. At Husker Harvest Days, NRD has a one-stop-shop set up with their partner's. It's an educational experience for all ages. "It's a system that really can work, and i think we've done a really great job," said Anderjaska. As part of their 40th anniversary celebration, Colorado blue spruce seedlings are being given out along with Nebraska prairie seed mixes and wildflower seeds. When they're not celebrating, they're educating visitors about a proposal to protect Nebraska's water. "We started on it probably about 2 years ago," said Ron Bishop, Central Platte NRD. The Central Platte and Twin Platte Natural Resources Districts have proposed a plan to convert the irrigation system managed by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to a groundwater recharge system. "Conjunctive management and trying to free up some water for the Platte river to meet the demands of the river," Bishop said. The proposal would drill an estimated 450 new groundwater wells that will be needed to replace the current surface water irrigation for the project to work. The cost of doing that would be shared between the NRD's and farmers. It would also help meet the requirements of LB 962, which is to return the Platte River to 1997 levels of use. "We can do it with one project without hurting any of the irrigators over there," said Bishop. Future studies on the proposal still need to be completed by Central Public power as well as more discussions. "It seems to be a real win, win for us," said Bishop. "The NRD hopes that proposal does go into effect soon in case Nebraska does experience another drought like they experience this year. |
On DemandLocal Gas Prices
Most Popular
KHASTV LinksKHASTV on FacebookWeather Closings |
Most Popular