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Nebraska NRD Board: Lower Elkhorn, Dist 2

4-year term, $0The Nebraska Association of Resource Districts is governed by a 23-member Board of Directors, each representing a natural resource district. The NRD Board of Directors decides how much is collected from your property tax bill for the NRD and uses that money for projects such as building dams, drainage ditches, flood control, and recreation trails. NRDs are also responsible for preserving and protecting groundwater and other natural resources for future generations.

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  • Candidate picture

    Mark Hall
    (NON)

  • Candidate picture

    Lee Klein
    (NON)

Biographical Information

What specific solutions will help improve water quality and quantity, and reduce soil erosion in the NRD?

What measures can the NRD take to manage watersheds for both drought and excess rainfall events?

How can the NRD assure public access to recreation where flood control projects have attracted developers?

Education BS Computer Science UNL Engineering, MS Systems Management University of Southern California, multiple military leadership courses
Current Public Office, dates held Lower Elkhorn NRD, 2016-present
Past Public Office, dates held None
Military experience 1974-1975, 1978-2000, USAF
Volunteer experience Norfolk Public Library Foundation, 2016-present, Kiwanis International Norfolk Morning, 2000-2023, sacristan for church, Knights of Columbus No. 1973, school's sports booster club.
I promote the 4Rs nutrient management discipline by endorsing cost share for fertigation equipment as well as cover crops for soil health and nitrogen capture. I support updating the producer tools for reporting commercial nitrogen use as part of LENRD's rules and education programs. The district uses a recently developed drought monitor with rules to help ensure adequate aquifer recharge rates and protection of public and private well users. I have helped in refining the variance application scoring for new irrigated acres to protect current users and the recharge of the aquifers supports all users. I will continue to endorse cost share programs along with USDA/NRCS to mitigate soil erosion such as grass water ways and notill practices.
I continue to support good soil health practices in collaboration with USDA/NRCS partners. The district has a drought plan recently developed to support notifications and actions as necessary. I will recommend using the USDA/NRCS Watershed and Flood Protection Operations (WFPO) Program. Currently the district has sponsored three studies for the Battle Creek, Maple Creek, and North Fork of the Elkhorn watersheds. The district will continue to inform on drought conditions through multiple communication channels as well as the static water levels of numerous monitoring wells.
Our district is very rural compared to some other NRDs. When flood control projects are considered the district needs to evaluate the availability of lands for purchase or easements to allow for sufficient public access. When flood levies are considered could a trail be implemented. Is there sufficient lands available for wildlife habitat, native flowering plants and hunting opportunities.
Education Graduate of Battle Creek High School Course work at University of NE (Lincoln)
Current Public Office, dates held None
Past Public Office, dates held Nebraska State Senator, Madison County Commissioner, Battle Creek Village Board Trustee and Chairman, Lower Elkhorn NRD Board for over eight years Served as Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
Volunteer experience National Conn Growers Board and President, Nebraska Corn Board Member and Chairman, Eldorado Hills Community Association Chairman
There are so many things that are available to promote soil health in the Farm Program and now John Deere has offered to give it's See & Spray package to farmers with JD newer sprayers (A $25,000) package to help save 56% of their herbicide costs. All ofthese programs are avaiolable to all farmers.
I believe most of their programs are pretty good but could use some tweaking from time to tie.
Some have made public/private partnerships for lakes with some shoreline available for housing and 100% of the lake accessible by the public.