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Proposed NRD Rules Changes Go To Hearing

Monday, February 13, 2023

Proposed changes to water-use regulations including the 2023-2027 allocation will have a public hearing on March 14 before a final vote by the Upper Republican NRD Board of Directors.The proposal from the board that will have a public hearing at 9 a.m. on the 14th includes a...

Funds Available to Help Restore and Protect Rangeland

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Nebraska producers have funding available to help address the spread of invasive woody vegetation on rangeland. Landowners should apply at their local NRCS field office by Feb. 17, 2023, for funding to adopt management practices that help treat the spread of Eastern redcedar...

The U.S. EPA is proposing to make the most significant changes to Rodenticides in 15 years

Monday, January 30, 2023

ALL rodenticides to be Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP)There will be no more General Use Rozol Pocket Gopher Bait, for example. Cancellation of spot/scatter and broadcast applications Cannot be made directly to food or feed crops;May only be made using tamper-resist...

Chemigation program works with partners to protect water

Friday, January 6, 2023

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s (NDEE) Chemigation Program works to ensure that those using irrigation systems to apply fertilizers and pesticides do not contaminate sources of irrigation water.The Chemigation Program works with local Natural Resou...

NDEE now accepting applications for Private Well Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is now accepting applications for the Private Well Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program.NDEE will administer $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through rebates for private well reverse osmosis systems, whi...

Livestock Waste Control Program

Sunday, January 1, 2023

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), through the Livestock Waste Control (LWC) Program, is charged with protecting Nebraska’s surface water and groundwater from discharges of livestock waste from the thousands of Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in Neb...

Reverse Osmosis Funding Available for Private Well Owners

Thursday, December 1, 2022

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has announced that funding will be available for private well owners to install RO systems to address high nitrate levels in drinking water. Information about the program requirements for eligibility can be found at the NDEE...

UNL study confirms irrigation's impact on humidity, yields possible link to rain

Monday, October 31, 2022

By: Nancy GaarderIncreased rain in Illinois and Indiana. Less rain in some Nebraska communities.Muggier weather. Changes in winds.Intense irrigation in Nebraska is having a complex effect on the weather, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say“Some of th...

Another dry winter in Nebraska could mean irrigation restrictions next year

Monday, October 31, 2022

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Severe weather, high winds and a lack of rainfall all worked against Nebraska’s farmers this summer.But the trouble started with much lower than average precipitation last winter.Nebraska’s water managers are keeping a close eye on the water leve...

83% of Nebraska kids have detectable lead levels, but unprecedented help is coming

Friday, October 28, 2022

By: Matt Chibe, Matthew MittliederLINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A recent study shows that more than half of all children in the United States have detectable lead levels in their blood, and Nebraska is even worse.According to research shared by the American J...

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Regional/National Water News

Feds slap restrictions on more than 1,000 miles of Keystone pipeline after Kansas oil spill

03/08/2023

By Celia Llopis-Jepsen, KCUR March 8, 2023, 4 p.m Oil spills on the Keystone pipeline that runs from Canada to Texas are becoming more frequent and serious, federal regulators said Tuesday. So the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered Canadian company TC Energy to lower...Read more

Dicamba use deadline to remain as June 30 in Nebraska

02/27/2023

LINCOLN, Neb. —Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton recently sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) objecting to a label revision for the herbicide dicamba and a proposed early cutoff date for its use. NDA was recently...Read more

USDA Invests More than $48.6 Million to Manage Risks, Combat Climate Change

02/21/2023

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest more than $48.6 million this year through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership for projects that mitigate wildfire risk, improve water quality, restore forest ecosystems, and...Read more

Nebraska joins other states to fight new WOTUS rule

02/16/2023

BY: CINDY GONZALEZ LINCOLN — Nebraska on Thursday joined 24 other states in a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s new rule defining so-called Waters of the United States, or WOTUS. The multi-state coalition said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps...Read more

'Potential for a lawsuit': State leaders clash over $567M canal project

12/30/2022

Engineers finish evaluating Perkins County Canal Project PERKINS COUNTY, Neb. — The fight for water between Nebraska and Colorado is also dividing state leaders. The Perkins County Canal Project would divert water from the South Platte River into Nebraska as Colorado...Read more

Bison return program is now helping Native American ranchers build herds

11/08/2022

About 330 bison coming from Nebraska preserve operated by the Nature Conservancy BY: PAUL HAMMEL - NOVEMBER 3, 2022 LINCOLN — For years, Wayne Frederick and his father managed a herd of bison held by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of south-central South Dakota. But now, a unique...Read more

Nebraska on pace for second-worst wildfire year ever; 2023 outlook is dim

11/07/2022

Drought and strong winds spawned large, fast-moving fires in spring, summer and fall BY: PAUL HAMMEL - NOVEMBER 7, 2022 LINCOLN — Worsening drought, coupled with strong, sustained winds, have combined to put 2022 on track as the second-worst year for wildfires in Nebraska...Read more

Dry wetlands impact birds that migrate to and from Nebraska

11/02/2022

by Risell Ventura KEARNEY, Neb. — Just a couple of days ago, the Platte River was lacking flowing water. Now as water is starting to flow again, NTV News spoke with the Crane Trust and the Rowe Sanctuary about how the drought can impact the birds that migrate to and from...Read more

Ricketts says Colorado is not delivering enough water on the South Platte

09/21/2022

By Fred Knapp, Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media Sept. 21, 2022 Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said Colorado is not delivering all the water it is supposed to from the South Platte River. Ricketts made his remarks in a presentation at the public library in Ogallala on...Read more

Topsoil protection should be stressed in the next farm bill, U.S. House Ag panel told

09/17/2022

BY: ARIANA FIGUEROA - SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 WASHINGTON — Farmers and academics at a hearing this week stressed the need for members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee to support regenerative agriculture farming practices in the upcoming farm bill in order to protect...Read more