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Regulations for Soil & Water

Landowners, farmers and others should be aware of several regulatory requirements established to protect soil and water quality:  Chemigation Permits  Well Registration  Well Decommissioning  Sedimentation & Erosion  Improper Irrigation Runoff Chemigation Permits      State law requires anyone who chemigates (applies agricultural chemicals through an irrigation system) to follow several regulations. The people who will be applying chemicals must obtain certification. Certification is granted by the Department of Environmental Quality after the applicant attends an educational course sponsored by the Cooperative Extension.      Anybody who chemigates also must have a chemigation permit to indicate that the chemigation system includes devices to protect chemical spills and prevent personal injury. Natural resources districts issue these permits, which are good for one year.      Any accidents must be reported to the NRD within 24 hours of the incident. The district’s telephone number is (308) 632-2749. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. After normal working hours contact the Nebraska State Patrol at 402-471-4545. Well Registration      State law requires water well owners to register wells with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources soon after they are drilled. This includes all domestic, stock, irrigation, industrial, monitoring, observation, injection and municipal wells, regardless of the pumping capacity. The only wells exempt from registration are small domestic wells drilled before Sept. 9, 1993; test holes; and dewatering wells with an intended use of 90 days or less.      Landowners also must register new or replacement wells within 30 days after completion. There is a registration fee. Law also requires that registrations be kept up to date. When land changes ownership, the new owner must contact DNR to change the name on the well registration. There is no fee.      Owners of illegal wells can be served with cease-and-desist orders to shut the well down and have it decommissioned (filled and sealed).      Well registrations can be checked on-line at: Nebraska Registered Water Wells database Sedimentation & Erosion The North Platte NRD has established rules and regulations to enforce the Erosion and Sediment Control Act. The program requires landowners to prevent erosion or sedimentation on their land beyond soil-loss limits established for different soil types in the District. This program is important because conservation and preservation of the land, water and other resources of the district (a) substantially reduce the sediment and erosion damage within the district, (b) safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the district’s citizens, (c) preserve the value of land and its productive capability for present and future generations, (d) prevent the pollution of streams and ponds, and (e) reduce the danger of flooding      The NRD investigates complaints about sedimentation and erosion. The District will work with the parties involved to solve the problem, and has the power to issue cease and desist orders to enforce statutes or rules and regulations. Improper Irrigation Runoff      Irrigators who use groundwater are required by state law and NRD rules and regulations to control or prevent the runoff of their irrigation water. Several methods may be used to prevent used irrigation water from running onto neighboring property, or a landowner may reach an agreement with their neighbor.      The NRD investigates complaints about improper irrigation runoff. The District will work with the parties involved to solve the problem, and has the power to issue cease and desist orders to enforce statutes or rules and regulations.