GRAND ISLAND - Central Platte Natural Resources District's initial allocation for a federal conservation fund that helps farmers convert gravity irrigation systems to more water-efficient pivots is considerably less than in recent years.
District Conservationist James Huntwork of Grand Island of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service said Thursday that CPNRD's current allocation for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is $571,798.
That compares to $1.5 million to $1.7 million received each of the past few years.
Huntwork hopes that more money is available later as other NRDs return unused funds. He also expects approval of his direct request for more EQIP money for Central Platte, but he doesn't know the amount.
Other projects funded by EQIP include planned grazing, erosion control and temporarily converting irrigated land to dryland production. Initial allocations for the other Hub Territory NRDs are Lower Loup, $643,570; Lower Republican, $318,635; and Tri-Basin, $360,769.
Huntwork said there also are EQIP funds for special initiatives in Nebraska, including $300,000 for the CPNRD to continue retiring irrigated acres west of Elm Creek to benefit Platte River flows.
Also Thursday, the directors approved an $8.74 million proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 and set a public hearing prior to the 2 p.m. July 23 board meeting at the CPNRD office in Grand Island.
The fiscal year 2008-2009 budget totaled $8.84 million. Much of the decrease was in the sinking fund, but CPNRD General Manager Ron Bishop said the general fund budget also is down more than $60,000.
The property tax asking could be nearly $500,000 less, he said, because of carryover. However, the specific numbers won't be known until the books are closed for the current fiscal year on June 30.
In other business, the directors:
• Were reminded that public hearings on the CPNRD integrated management plan and related rule changes are at 1:30 p.m. July 7 at the Lexington Holiday Inn Express and 1:30 p.m. July 8 at the CPNRD office in Grand Island.
• Approved a rule change for cost-share programs. A bill and proof of payment now must be submitted before an NRD cost-share can be collected.
• Heard a lengthy discussion by proponents and opponents of a proposed hike-bike trail project between Central City and Marquette.
