Development of up to 2,500 new acres of groundwater irrigation annually was approved by the Upper Loup Natural Resources District Board of Directors and the Department of Natural Resources.
If applications for new irrigation acres exceed the 2,500 a ranking process will be used to determine the acres that will be approved. Cross Hatched area represents the Niobrara River Basin Reversal. This area is alloted 174 acres annually and 696 acres through year 2015.
The criteria reviewed in the ranking process include the status of groundwater and surface water levels, the concentration of irrigation, the type of acre being developed, the type of irrigation system to be used, and the soil classification.
Application forms are available now so that each applicant has the appropriate time to complete the form, but landowners are reminded that applications will be accepted by the NRD December 1-31, and landowners will be notified of their application’s outcome by January 31.
A $15.00 dollar non-refundable fee will be required with each application. The application form requires information on the landowner and/or their contact person; field description and FSA aerial photo depicting the field; the number of acres of new irrigation requested, and the application fee.