(Grand Island) Protecting lives, protecting property, and protecting the future was the key message behind the work the Central Platte Natural Resource District (NRD) is doing. The work of the Central Platte NRD was on display when 45 NRD board members, general managers, and staff from across the state toured the district.

The two day tour started by visiting sites around Grand Island and the eastern part of the district. The Central Platte Natural Resource District stretches 205 miles and covers 11 counties along the Platte River.

The first day of the tour included several dams and flood control projects in the district that protects property and lives in Grand Island and surrounding communities. The Wood River Project paid for itself in with one flood event in 2004 saving over $20 million in property damage. These projects are important because they protect lives and protect property from flooding.

On day two the group headed west learning about the Platte River Restoration Implantation Program and various other water quantity issues facing the residents of the district and how Central Platte NRD is working to protect ground water and habitat.

A highlight for the group was a tour the new Monsanto Utilization Learning Center near Gothenburg. The Central Platte NRD is a partner with Monsanto in protecting water quality and quantity into the future. The group learned about new techniques being used regarding irrigation efficiency and took a tour of the facilities and test plot sites.

“The Central Platte NRD is very grateful that Monsanto invested in Central Nebraska to do research on water efficiency” said Ron Bishop, Central Platte NRD Manager. “The research facility presents a great opportunity for farmers and the NRDs to continue to find better and more efficient water use technologies”.

The River Basin tour is an annual event hosted by Nebraska Association of Resource Districts (NARD) across the state highlighting NRD’s current projects and what districts are doing to protect lives, protect property, and protect the future for their district residents and the state. For more information about what natural resource districts are doing to protect lives, protect property, and protect the future visit nrdnet.org.

(NRD Board Members, managers, and staff members enjoy a stop at Hall County Park in Grand Island. The stop gave the members a chance to visit and stretch their legs.) Photo by Jeanne Dryburgh, NARD.

(NRD board members learn about new ways to protect groundwater as they toured the Monsanto Utilization Learning Center near Gothenburg.) Photo by Jeanne Dryburgh, NARD.