Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District

Nitrogen Management Certification Program

Nitrogen Management Certification is required for all persons in the district who are applying fertilizer.

Certification consists of attending a class once every four years. Classes are conducted by staff from the MNNRD .

 

In 1984, the Nebraska Unicameral passed legislation requiring the State's natural resources district's to develop groundwater management plans by January 1, 1986. The plan was to evaluate the status of the district's groundwater and develop a procedure for protecting it into the future. Along with the other 23 NRD's, the Middle Niobrara NRD developed such a plan. In 1991 LB 51 passed which required NRD's to amend their Groundwater Management Plan to address groundwater quality. Districts could designate Groundwater Quality Management Areas to preserve or enhance groundwater quality.

MNNRD GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT POLICY - Quality

 

Most of the groundwater in the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District is of good, to excellent quality. Although the sandy soils have a high potential for groundwater contamination, the absence of pollutants has helped maintain near pristine conditions in many parts of the NRD.There are some areas of the district that are beginning to show an increase in levels of contaminants, particularly nitrates. The most notable area is located in western Rock and eastern Brown Counties. This area has been under intensive crop production for over 25 years. Agricultural fertilizers are the most likely source of the nitrates found in this region's groundwater. To stop further degradation of this resource, some form of intensive groundwater quality management must be implemented for this portion of the district.

 

Establishment of Groundwater Management Area For Nitrates

 

For the purpose of addressing nitrate contamination in the Middle Niobrara Natural NRD, management zones will be created effective July 1, 1996. These zones will allow the District to tailor management to the potential for groundwater contamination in a specific area. It will also allow the NRD to channel its funding and staffing resources to those parts of the District with the greatest need. The entire district will be established as a groundwater management area for nitrates.

 

Management Zone 1

Less than 50% of the wells monitored by the District have nitrate levels above 5 ppm;

and less than 20% of the land has been developed for cropping

 

- Require permits prior to drilling new wells greater than 50 gpm

- Require nitrogen fertilizer applicators to be certified

- Monitor selected wells biennially for nitrates

- Establish a well abandonment program

- Voluntary use of approved Best Management Practices

- Collect water, pesticide, and fertilizer use data on a voluntary basis

 

Management Zone 2

Less than 50% of the wells monitored by the District have nitrate levels above 5 ppm;

and 20% or more of the land has been developed for cropping

 

- All zone 1 activities

- Well monitored annually

- Voluntary fertilizer management program

 

 

Management Zone 3

50% or more of the wells monitored by the District have nitrate levels greater than 5 ppm

 

- All zone 1 and 2 activities

- Require reporting of water, pesticide and fertilizer use

- No fall nitrogen fertilizer application

- Require producers to develop nitrogen management plans

- Require the use of two or more BMPs for the approved list

- Require soil sampling and fertilizer recommendations from approved lab

 

 

Management Zone 4

50% or more of the wells monitored by the District have nitrate levels greater than 10 ppm

 

- All zone 1, 2, and 3 activities

- Require the use of 3 or more BMPs from the approved list

- Require the use of UNL fertilizer recommendations

- Require irrigation water sampling