PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

 A public hearing will be held by the Middle Republican Natural Resources District to receive testimony on proposed changes to the Ground Water Management Area rules. The hearing will be at the Middle Republican NRD Office, at 208 Center Avenue, in Curtis Nebraska on June 9, 2026, at 9:00 AM. Written testimony may be sent to the Middle Republican Natural Resources District at PO Box 81, Curtis, Nebraska, 69025, jrussell@mrnrd.org and sowens@mrnrd.org; or, faxed to 308-367-4285. Written testimony will be accepted until the close of the hearing on June 9, 2026. The proposed changes will be considered at the regular board meeting following the hearing.

 The authority for these rules and regulations is the authority granted in the Nebraska Ground Water Management and Protection Act. The changes to the Rules and Regulations for the Ground Water Management Area update the language relating to updating references to legislation, the change in the Department of Natural Resources’ name and adding a rule under Chapter 3 – Permitting, as described in detail below.

The geographic area is the entire Middle Republican Natural Resources District. 

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

The major changes are listed below:

CHAPTER 3 – PERMITTING

RULE 3-1 PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A WATER WELL

3-1.7           If the applicant intends to withdraw forty (40) acre-feet or more annually, they must provide offset/replacement water in an amount that is equal to or greater than the amount they plan to withdraw. The offset/replacement water must be obtained within a one township area around the proposed well. The District will utilize airborne electromagnetic survey (AEM) information to evaluate the probable impact of the proposed well. Only wells that show no harmful effects to the surrounding wells or to compliance with the District’s Integrated Management Plan will be approved.  The applicant may, at his or her own expense, provide additional data and information to support their application. All approved wells will be metered with telemetry meters installed to MRNRD specifications.

 This notice is only a general description of the contents of the proposed rules and regulations. The full text of these rules and regulations is available on the district website at mrnrd.org or may be obtained by contacting the Middle Republican NRD, PO Box 81, Curtis NE, 69025 or at 308-367-4281.