Applications Required for Irrigators That Are Planning to Add NEW Irrigated Acres

Application forms for landowners interested in developing new irrigated acres are now available online, at the ULNRD office in Thedford or can be mailed out upon request by calling the office at 308-645-2250.  The forms are available now so that each applicant has the appropriate time to complete the form, but landowners are reminded that applications will only be accepted by the NRD till December 31.  Landowners will be notified of their application’s outcome by January 31.

According to state statue and the Upper Loup NRD Ground Water Rules and Regulations, through year 2012 the district is allowed up to 2,500 new acres of groundwater irrigation annually.  If applications for new irrigation acres exceed the 2,500 a ranking process will be used to determine the acres that will be approved.  The criteria reviewed in the ranking process include the status of groundwater and surface water levels, the concentration of irrigation, the type of acre being developed, the type of irrigation system to be used, and the soil classification.