PUBLIC HEARING Scheduled Regarding a District-Wide Change to the Upper Big Blue NRD's RULE 5 for Water Quality

 
YORK, NE --  A Public Hearing concerning proposed changes to the District’s Rule 5 is scheduled for March 1, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at the York City Auditorium (612 Nebraska Avenue, York, Nebraska).  
 
The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District Proposes New Rules for Fertilizer Application.
Increasing nitrates in groundwater have been a concern in the Upper Big Blue NRD for several years.  Several communities in the District have found it necessary to construct new wells to comply with state and federal drinking water standards.  Some communities have built, or are considering, treatment plants.  Many rural residents have also replaced wells or installed private water treatment systems.
 
Nitrate is found naturally in the environment, however excess nitrates that are causing groundwater contamination come primarily from the use of commercial fertilizers.  Nitrogen fertilizer is needed to produce corn, however, the amount and timing of the fertilizer application can reduce the risks of groundwater contamination.  Anhydrous ammonia is the most common form of nitrogen fertilizer used throughout the District.
 
Since 1996, the NRD has required that farmers wait until November 1st to apply anhydrous, and to wait until March 1st to apply other formulations of nitrogen fertilizer.  In some parts of the District where groundwater nitrate is the highest, farmers are required by existing regulations to attend training classes, take soil samples, and calculate crop nitrogen needs.
 
Despite these efforts, groundwater nitrate levels have continued to rise.  The proposed changes to District Rule 5 are designed to encourage farmers to adopt fertilizer management practices that will reduce the opportunity time for nitrate leaching out of the crop root zone.
 
The proposed new rules give the farmer the following fertilizer application options:
1)  Anhydrous ammonia applied between November 1st and February 29th must also be applied with a nitrification inhibitor;
2)  Nitrogen fertilizer applied on or after March 1st, and before planting at a rate greater than 150 pounds per acre, must also include a nitrification inhibitor;
3)  Pre-plant nitrogen fertilizer applied on or after March 1st at a rate less than 150 pounds per acre DOES NOT require a nitrification inhibitor.
 
Nitrification inhibitors delay the conversion of nitrogen fertilizers to the nitrate form.  This holds the nitrogen in the crop root zone longer, resulting in less opportunity for nitrogen loss.  As an alternative to using a nitrification inhibitor, Option #3 allows the farmer to apply a lower rate of fertilizer before planting, and then apply additional nitrogen if needed after planting when an actively growing crop can utilize it.
 
THE PUBLIC IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS PUBLIC HEARING AS IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE UPPER BIG BLUE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT.