PUBLIC NOTICE

BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN THE MIDDLE REPUBLICAN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS BY REISSUE REVISED STATUTES OF NEBRASKA, SECTIONS 46-701 TO 46-754, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1. The ground water controls for The Middle Republican Natural Resources District are those rules and regulations contained in Chapters 1 through 6 and Appendix 1. of the “Rules and Regulations of the Ground Water Management Area”. 
2. That all rules and regulations pertaining to the administration of the management area are contained within the “Rules and Regulations for the Ground Water Management Area.
3. The Rules and Regulations of the GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA, Effective July 1, 1998 are hereby amended and revised. 
4. The Rules and Regulations for the Ground Water Management Area as amended, including the ground water controls relative to the Integrated Management Plan are approved and shall become effective April 1, 2020.

A hearing was held on March 10, 2020 for the purpose of receiving testimony relative to proposed revisions to the districts “Ground Water Management Area, Rules and Regulations”.  The Board, at a regularly scheduled board meeting on March 10, 2020, approved all revisions as presented.  

The following is a summary of the revisions to the rules and regulations:

The purpose and geographic area of the Management Area are not changed.

General Rule of Interpretation now provides for the updates and changes to State Statute.

Rule 4-3.1.1. Well Spacing.  Clarifying the language in the well spacing requirements.

Rule 4-4.  Flow Meters.  Clarifying improperly installed meters. 

Rule 4-4.12. Backflow Preventer Required.  Requirement to have one installed.

Rule 4-6.  Certification.  Irrigation uses 4-6.4.1.  The owner of an irrigation well is responsible for the amount of water pumped and the acres irrigated by that well.  It is the responsibility of all parties associated with certified irrigated acres a well serves to have an agreement or come to a resolution as to who owns those certified acres.

Rules 6-3.2 through 6-3.7 Chemigation Permit. Further defining the requirements, fees and responsibilities of Chemigation applicator.

Rules 6-5.2 through 6-5.4.1 Compliance and Enforcement Actions.  Requirements for staying in compliance and setting a timeline to correct any violation before District action will be taken to revoke a person’s Chemigation permit. 

Rule 6-6 Civil Penalties for Violation of the Nebraska Chemigation Act.

Penalty fine amounts for violations.