Chemigation applications were due June 1st, 2017. New permits MUST be inspected prior to use. The Summer 2017 Volume 23, Number 3 South Platte Natural Resources District Newsletter Visit our website www.spnrd.org 1 Summer Tips and Reminders: • Flow Meters: If you notice your flow meter isn’t working properly, please make sure you let your con- tractor know. Flow Meters Urban tips • Check the toilet and faucets for leaks at least once a year. Repairing leaks is one of the easiest, most effective ways to save water at home. • Leftover water from cooking foods like pasta can be saved to water your plants. Make sure to let it cool down first! Please remember: Chemigating without a proper permit can lead to being found in violation of the District rules and regulations. Violators can be subject to penalties. What is Toxic Blue-Green Algae? What is commonly referred to as toxic blue-green algae is NOT technically a true algae. It refers to certain strains of cyanobacteria that produce toxins and can be harmful to animals, fish, and humans. Toxic Blue-Green Algae can dominate the algal populations of a lake when the right combination of water temperature, low water depths, and nutrients are present BUT may not be visible to the naked eye. SO…. What can we do about it?! The South Platte NRD has been participating in sam- pling for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae, and E.coli bacteria for years in coopera- tion with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). The samples are taken weekly from May through September at 50 different public recreational lakes across Nebraska, including Oliver Reservoir. Testing for E.coli is done in the lab at the SPNRD of- fice, and samples for toxic blue-green algae are sent to the NDEQ lab in Lincoln Nebraska. Neither 2016 nor 2017 samples have resulted in high levels of either toxic blue-green algae or E.coli, but if high levels are ever detected signs will be posted at the main entrances and in public beach areas. It is important for all visitors to watch public postings at all water recreation sites across Nebraska for information regard- ing Health Alerts. For more information you may either visit the NDEQ online at www.deq.state.ne.us or call the SPNRD office. Protecting Lives - Protecting Property - Protecting the Future
Transcript
Chemigation applications were due June 1st, 2017. New permits MUST be inspected
prior to use.
The
Summer 2017Volume 23, Number 3
South Platte Natural Resources District
NewsletterVisit our website www.spnrd.org
1
Summer Tips and Reminders:
• Flow Meters: If you notice yourflow meter isn’t working properly,pleasemakesureyouletyourcon-tractorknow.
Please remember: Chemigating without a proper permit can lead to being found in violation of the District rules and regulations.
Violators can be subject to penalties.
What is Toxic Blue-Green Algae? What is commonly referred to as toxic blue-green algae is NOT technically a true algae. It refers to certain strains of cyanobacteria that produce toxins and can be harmful to animals, fish, and humans. Toxic Blue-Green Algae can dominate the algal populations of a lake when the right combination of water temperature, low water depths, and nutrients are present BUT may not be visible to the naked eye. SO…. What can we do about it?!
The South Platte NRD has been participating in sam-pling for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae, and E.coli bacteria for years in coopera-tion with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). The samples are taken weekly from May through September at 50 different public recreational lakes across Nebraska, including Oliver Reservoir.
Testing for E.coli is done in the lab at the SPNRD of-fice, and samples for toxic blue-green algae are sent to the NDEQ lab in Lincoln Nebraska.
Neither 2016 nor 2017 samples have resulted in high
levels of either toxic blue-green algae or E.coli, but if high levels are ever detected signs will be posted at the main entrances and in public beach areas. It is important for all visitors to watch public postings at all water recreation sites across Nebraska for information regard-ing Health Alerts.
For more information you may either visit the NDEQ online at www.deq.state.ne.us or call the SPNRD office.
Protecting Lives - Protecting Property - Protecting the Future
2
This year the students from the Sidney High School team took third place at the 2017 Nebraska Envirothon State Championship. The event was held at the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area near Gering on Wednesday, April 26. 14 teams competed in the cham-pionship this year.
The Nebraska Envirothon is a competition for high school grades 9-12 where students compete to test their knowl-edge about the environment. Teams are made up of 5 stu-dents and they test on seven environmental study subjects. Those subjects are soils, aquat-ics, forestry, policy, wildlife, range and a current issue topic called the special topic ques-tion.
Third place earned the Sid-
ney team $500. The team members were Juniors Chan-tal Riggs, Kollyn Weimer, Mitch Porter and Seniors were Lind-sey Deaver and Will Castner.
Concordia High School took
first place and will attend the North American Envirothon competition in Emmitsburg, Maryland in July. The second place team was Sumner-Ed-dyville-Miller High School.
2017 Nebraska Envirothon
2017 Western Nebraska Children’s Ground Water Festival
Snow on April 28th wasn’t something anyone expected, but the 0.65 inch-es of precipitation made this year’s Festival memorable for the 146 fourth grade students who attended. Stu-dents from Sidney, Leyton, South Platte and Creek Val-ley Schools all gathered in Sid-ney to observe and participate in 10 stations that focused on how water af-fects our ev-eryday life, and how to protect and conserve it.
The stations were split be-tween the Cheyenne Coun-ty Community Center and the Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp. The 37 volunteers, including 10 High School Seniors from Leyton High School, put together pro-grams that had the kids
jumping, crawling, and moving all day. From the oversized games, water, dirt, and worms these stu-dents walked away from this year’s Festival with souve-nirs, knowledge, and an ap-preciation for conservation.
Presentations this year were: Nutrients for Life, Thunderstorm, Earthworm Tunnel, Our Water in “Jeop-ardy”, Operation Conservation, What’s Down There, Ground Water Model, Water Tricks, Nitrates in Your Water, Water-shed Enviroscape.
Wild Cat Hills, Gering 2017 Nebraska Envirothon Final Results
TeamsOral
Presentation Forestry Policy Range Soils Aquatics Wildlife Total
growthonpine trees it couldbe thePine Tip Moth. The damage be-comes unsightly but is seldom fataltothetree.
• Make sure your trees get at least 1inchofwateraweek,especiallyifitisdryandifthetreeisanewplanting.
• Ifyourconservationtreesinyourtreerowareapproaching4’to5’inheightmakesureyoucutlargerholesinyourweedbarrier,thiscanreducetheriskof trunkgirdling (whichcan lead tothetreeprematurelydying).
With so many outdoor rec areas around Nebraska it is no wonder Goldeneye and Goldenrod are mostly unknown. These hidden jewels tucked into Deuel County NE are quiet spots managed by the SPNRD that host opportunities for
hiking, hunting, fishing and wildlife watching.
Goldenrod is located where U.S. 385 and Interstate 80 meet; East of Chappell, Nebraska about 3 miles.
The 97 acres has a nice combination of wooded area and open grassland that hunters and hikers alike can enjoy. Goldenrod is one of the few public
hunting areas in our district.
This year about 3.5 acres were planted into a food plot using assorted small grains and forbes.
Goldeneye is located near Big Springs, Nebraska and the 23 acre property features a small pond; perfect for a nice day of fishing.
Easy access to the fishing spot isn’t just great when you have your rod and reel, go ahead and use the area to hike, hunt, and do a little wildlife viewing.
Goldenrod and GoldeneyeWildlife Management Areas
Fisherman have caught blackcrappie, bluegill, channel cat-fish, largemouth bass and yel-
lowperchfromthepond.
Huntingincludesdove,pheas-ant,rabbitandwaterfowl.
GOLDENEYE
GOLDENRODHunting includes deer,doves, turkeys and rab-
bits.
There isplentyof roomforhiking,wildlife
viewing,ortentcampinginoneoftheopenareas.
Contact the SPNRD office for copies of Rules and Regulations
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Davis transitioned to the Administrative
Manager postion after Linda Suhr moved to Stromsburg, Nebraska. Davis started with the South Platte NRD on July 13, 2015 and served as the Information & Education Coordinator for a year and a half.
Staff Rod L. Horn General Manager/Treasurer Galen Wittrock Assistant Manager Don Davis Administrative Manager NaManet Keller District Secretary Travis Glanz Water Resources Coordinator Ryan Reisdorff Water Resources Specialist Chris Kaiser Natural Resources Coordinator Shelly Gerk Information & Ed. Coordinator Tyler Sanders Water Resources Technician Michelle McMillen NRCS/NRD Field Office Secretary Hilary Cook NRCS/NRD Secretary/Technician
Board of Directors Bill Halligan Chair Tim Maas Vice-Chair James C. Johnson Secretary Larry L. Rutt Phil Grabowski Kathy Narjes Chris Meyer
The Pipeline is published quarterly by the South Platte Natural Resources District, 551 Parkland Dr. P.O. Box 294, Sidney, NE 69162 (308) 254-2377Edited by Shelly Gerk
Information & Education Coordinator.For the latest NRD news and program updates,
visit our Website at www.spnrd.org
March 27, 2017 the South Platte NRD welcomed Shelly Gerk to the staff. Gerk came to the District after 8+ years with the Sedgwick County Farm Service Agency in Julesburg, Colorado as a Program Technician. She has spent her entire life around agriculture and grew up farming with her family in Northeast Colorado. After returning from active duty in the Air Force she resumed farming until starting at the Farm Service Agency in 2008.
The Information and Education Coordinator position has multiple duties to include keeping the website current, updating social media like Facebook, writing press releases, newsletters, and coordinating events like the annual Western Nebraska Childrens’ Ground Water Festival. The Ground Water Festival is held every April and teaches area students about the importance of ground water and how to help protect this valuable natural resource.
Gerk replaced Don Davis who transitioned to the Administrative Manager position.
NEW INFORMATION & EDUCATION COORDINATOR
DON DAVIS MOVES TO ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER
POSITION
Staff Changes:
Around the Office
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Flow Meters
All wells in the South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) that pump more than 50 gallons per minute
MUST have a flow meter installed, AND only contractors approved by the SPNRD Board of Directors can perform those installations. But did you know……
To help defray the associated routine maintenance and repair costs the SPNRD provides a cost-share program. Only routine maintenance and repairs performed by an approved contractor are eligible for these payments.
Cost share for routine maintenance to landowners/operators is $30 per meter once every three years. Cost share on repairs covers 50% of the repair cost, up to $150.00 in a three-year period.
In addition, the SPNRD also offers replacement flow meter cost-share. Meters must meet certain requirements, with no one meter location receiving SPNRD replacement cost-share more than once every ten years. Those requirements are that the existing flow meter can no longer be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty; has become inoperable at least two times in the previous three years, and/or the repairs are equal to or greater than 50% of the cost of a new flow meter; and the replacement meter must be replaced with the SPNRD board-approved mechanical flow meter with the lowest failure rate. Replacement cost-share amounts will be based on a maximum amount of 50% of the county average value, based on NRCS guidelines. These figures are reviewed annually and the replacement cost-share amounts follow those guidelines.
The SPNRD has five meters approved for use in the District; McCrometer, Sparling, Seametrics, GrowSmart, and Valley 3000.
Damages to propeller caused by welding too close to installation
Ultrasonic Tester
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Did you know that every year the SPNRD donates trees to District communities and organizations for Arbor Day as part of our Community Forestry Pro-gram?!
In 2017 the SPNRD donated 46 trees ranging in sizes from 2’ tall to 6’ tall to differ-ent organi-zations for their Arbor Day celebra-tions. Tree species in-cluding American Elm, Oak, Pine, and Hackberry were spread throughout locations like Kimball, Sid-ney, and Gurley this year.
The funding for the program is part of the Com-munity Forestry budget and has been active for over a decade.
We are always looking for more participants. Any community and/or organization can request to be in-cluded. Please call Galen at the office for more details on eligibility.
Tree donaTions forarbor day
sPnrdsummer CamP sColarshiPs
ACE and RangeIn 2017 the South Platte NRD is excited to
have awarded 1 Nebraska Youth Range Camp Scholarship and 6 Adventure Camp about the Environment Scholarships! These schol-arships cover the entire camp fee for the stu-dents. Both camps are in June and are held at the Halsey State 4-H Camp.
The Nebraska Youth Range Camp has an energetic curriculum for students ages 14 to 18 that includes rangeland management, conservation, ecology, animal science and wildlife. The camp may be range based but every student, regardless of background, is welcome here and will take away substan-tial information that will help them become more aware of Nebraska’s most predominant land use. Attendees do not need a back-ground or any prior experience to make use of the information provided in this summer camp held from June 5th through June 9th.
Adventure Camp about the Environment is for students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The camp is held from June 14th through June 17th. The camp experience teaches students about nature using tubing, water rockets, outdoor cooking and other outdoor adventures. The main focus of the curric-ulum is to learn about Nebraska’s natural resourc-es with the experts during hands-on activities in water, soil, wildlife, forestry and range.
Students are not limited to just one of these camps. If a student falls in the proper age range for both camps they are encouraged to attend both! The fun is educational and the experiences are beneficial no matter what interests the kids have!
The SPNRD has a Scholarship Program every year for these camps, please contact us to get information on apply-ing for next year’s fun!
https://www.nrdnet.org/programs/education
http://www.nesrm.org/YouthRangeCamp.html
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Eve
n in
chilly
weath
er the reservoir is a great spot for wildlife watching and relaxing.
Oliver ReservoirFor Conservation and Recreation
Oliver has the charm of an old fashioned campground with the ben-efits of spacious campsites and drink-ing water. Outdoor rec options are numerous as campers can hunt, fish, swim, hike, and relax in a beautiful setting only 10 miles West of Kimball and right off I-80.
Originally designed as an irriga-tion impoundment on Lodgepole Creek created over 100 years ago, Ol-iver has transformed into a resource
for farmers, hunters, campers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The 917-acre property features a 270-acre lake perfect for multiple activities.
This year the staff at the South Platte NRD added a new parking area and updated numerous campsites with new fire pits. The fire pits have a cooking grate that can be flipped over the top for grilling out.
Campsites offer trailer spots (but not hookups) and tent sites. Restrooms are conveniently located across the grounds.
The peace and quiet is sure to recharge your bat-teries. Take a trip over to see the only water-based Rec Facility in the southwest panhandle of Nebraska.
Park information, rules and regulations can be found at the main entrances or you can contact the SPNRD for more details.
The Newsletter
South Platte Natural Resources District
South Platte Natural Resources District551 Parkland Dr. P.O. Box 294Sidney, NE 69162
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGEPAID
OGALLALA, NE69153
PERMIT #10
In This Issue
Flow MetersChanges to Staff
Beach Watch2017 Nebraska State Envirothon
Recreation Areas
Nebraska’s NaturalResources Districts
Protecting Lives • Protecting PropertyProtecting The Future
Seasonal Reminders Page 1
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