Upper Republican NRD Acreage Retirement Program
The Upper Republican NRD anticipates offering an irrigation retirement program in 2012 similar to one offered in 2011 through a partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service under its Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP). Funding for the program is unknown at this time and will be dependant on what is made available by NRCS. In 2011, NRCS provided approximately $1.2 million and the URNRD $1.9 million. Payments under the 2011 program were determined by how much stream flow would be gained by retiring particular wells. Average, per acre payments were approximately $2,300 for permanent easements barring irrigation. The URNRD also has a program whereby acres enrolled are not assessed the District's $10 per acre occupation tax. No monetary compensation is provided for enrollment. The guidelines for that program are listed below and enrollment requires all landowners to complete and sign a form provided by the district.
Guidelines and Stipulations:
1. Eligible acres are any certified acres not enrolled in another irrigation retirement program.
2. Acres shall be enrolled until the landowner files notice with the district that the acres are to be removed from the program.
3. Enrolled acres cannot be irrigated during the period of enrollment .
4. Enrolled acres will not receive an allocation while enrolled.
5. Enrolled acres cannot be included in a pooling contract.
6. Carryforward shall be frozen during the period of enrollment.
7. Enrollment must occur no later than May 1 of each calendar year.
Stop in at the URNRD office to pick up a Retirement Program Form.
Upper Republican NRD Certified Acre Transfer Program
In accordance with Nebraska law, prior to the board of directors approving the request for the transfer of any certified irrigated acres from one tract of real estate to another tract of real estate the following procedure must be completed.