Producers can be paid for reducing nitrogen levels

HARTINGTON — Producers will be paid for reducing their nitrogen application by the lesser of 40lbs or by 15%. You can find the application and guidance document online.

For this program, the state is divided up into three priority areas (A, B, and C). Priority area A is areas in the state with a NRD determined phase II or higher or are wellhead protection areas. This area has an incentive payment of $15 per acre. Priority B areas are areas not in priority A but are certified to irrigate. Priority B areas have an incentive payment of $12 per acre. The last priority area is C, which is the rest of the state and has an incentive payment of $10 per acre. The program limits eligible crops to corn, sugar beets, and potatoes.

LCNRD’s Priority A Areas are community wellhead protection areas and the townships that are part of the Bazile Groundwater Management Area including all of Creighton Township and Cleveland Township except sections 25-27 and 34-36, and sections 6, 7, 18, and 19 of Columbia Township. The Bow Creek Watershed is a Priority B Area and the remaining acres in the district are Priority C designated areas. To show the reduction in baseline nitrogen applications, each priority area has determined data requirements. Producers should work with LCNRD or their local NRD on data requirements.

The incentives are intended to be flexible in that they can be combined with other offers by NRCS, TNC, or other entities. Producers will need to confirm with those other programs. Producers are also given the flexibility to determine how they will reduce their nitrogen application but will work with their local NRD on the implementation.

LCNRD and the other NRDs will rank and score applications that best suit local concerns and the availability of funding. Applications will be submitted to the local NRD either by email or online and are due before January 15th, 2025. Contact LCNRD for more information on the application process. Producers have until January 15th, 2026, to document and show the reduction in their nitrogen application to be eligible for payments.

For general questions about the program please contact your local NRD or Alexa Davis at the Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR).

Alexa Davis: (402)471-3948 or alexa. [email protected] LCNRD: (402)-2546758 or [email protected] or 608 N. Robinson Ave., Hartington Web link for documents: dnr. nebraska.gov/lb-1368nitrogen-reductionincentive- program