Serving all of Eastern Laramie County since 1908

Articles written by Rod Horn


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  • Platte Lines: Natural resources protections provided through new legislation

    Rod Horn|Jun 4, 2015

    With the end of the current session, this is a good time to give you updates on some of the bills we have been watching during the first session of the 104th Nebraska Legislature. Most bills passed and approved by the governor become law three calendar months after the Legislature adjourns. However, bills may take effect before that date if they contain an emergency clause or a specified operative date. None of the bills reviewed here contain an emergency clause. LB 206 – The Legislature gave final approval to LB 206 on May 20th by a 47-0-2 vot...

  • Platte lines: Setting allocations an important and complex process

    Rod Horn|Apr 9, 2015

    In the last column, we introduced a general overview of the allocation system used by the NRD as one of the tools used to maintain adequate ground water supplies. As the District moves forward to set allocations for the irrigation years 2016-2018, we want to share how the process works and what we’re trying to accomplish. In 2004 the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources designated the entire South Platte NRD as full appropriated, or using as much ground water as there was ground water recharge. Later that same year, the South Platte R...

  • Preparations made for determining allocations

    Rod Horn|Mar 5, 2015

    The District is beginning the process of review and evaluation of its ground water management in preparation to set ground water allocations for irrigators over the next allocation period (2016-2018). The 2015 growing season marks the end of the second allocation period the District has imposed after beginning to use allocations as part of its ground water management practices. The board of directors felt this was a necessary step after seeing ground water levels drop drastically, in some instances more than 30 feet, from historic levels. The p...

  • Platte Lines - District prepares for changes to rules and regulations

    Rod Horn, South Platte Natural Resources District General Manager|Dec 31, 2014

    The District recently hosted a series of meetings with the Ground Water Management Advisory Committees representing each county within the District, outlining proposed changes to the Districtwide Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations. Many of these changes are housekeeping measures. But one significant change is importing the District's Chemigation Program rules into the Districtwide regulatory document. This past session, the Nebraska Legislature adopted changes to the Nebraska...

  • The NRD Budget: Providing Major Benefits For Low Cost

    Rod Horn|Nov 6, 2014

    In September, the District Board of Directors approved the current annual operating budget of $2,959,361. These are the funds the District uses for operating expenses and projects and programs for its current fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015. Of that budget, only 44 percent, or $1,312,448, of the funding needed is derived from new property tax, or about 2.5 percent of your total tax bill. Our overall tax asking figure is 5.6777 cents per $100 in valuation, or $56.77...