The Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (UNWNRD) Board of Directors voted to accept applications for 2023 to allow irrigation wells and additional irrigated acres in groundwater management sub-area 3, or southern Sheridan County, for the fifth year.
In 2018, the UNWNRD Board of Directors began the process of amending the Groundwater Rules and Regulations due to increasing groundwater levels and other concerns raised by the residents of southern Sheridan County. “Ranchers in the area are still losing hay meadows due to rising groundwater and surface water encroachment. The continued expansion of irrigated acres makes sense for the residents of Southern Sheridan County,” noted Mike Strasburger, UNWNRD Director.
According to the rules and regulations the UNWNRD Board will allow for up to 1,300 total additional irrigated acres in sub-area 3, with a maximum of 130 acres per application. A list of criteria will be used to rank each application in order to ensure a prime location for each of these expansion sites. NRD staff will be available to work with any landowner interested in submitting an application. Applications will be accepted through April 1st, 2023. Approvals will be made no later than July.
For additional information or to begin the application process please contact Lynn Webster, UNWNRD Assistant Manager, at 308-432-6190 or webster@unwnrd.org.