South Platte Natural Resources District Board of Directors looking to fill Subdistrict 4 Director vacancy

The Subdistrict 4 director vacancy, Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area overnight camping fees and scholarship funding were topics of discussion for the South Platte Natural Resources District Board of Directors (Board) at their meeting on March 13, 2024.

Director Marc Sprenger has relocated and now resides outside of Subdistrict 4 boundaries. The four-year term began January 1, 2023, and expires December 31, 2026. As of March 1, 2024, there is no representation in Subdistrict 4. Under state law, the Board is required to fill the vacancy within 45 days. The appointment will begin immediately, and the candidate will appear on the general election ballot for the SPNRD Board of Directors Subdistrict 4 for the remainder of the unexpired term, 2025-2026.

Subdistrict 4 boundaries include southwest Cheyenne County and western portions of the City of Sidney. Residents who are registered voters within that subarea are eligible and, if interested, encouraged to contact District General Manager Galen Wittrock to receive an application and other district information. Applications are due Monday, April 1, 2024. Interviews and an appointment of a new director may occur at the SPNRD regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

SPNRD SUBDISTRICT 4 (orange portion of map below)

Following recommendation from the District Operations Committee, the Board authorized staff to research options for establishing overnight camping fees at Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area. Currently, donations are encouraged and used for park upkeep. If approved, overnight camping fees will be effective in 2025. "Day use will remain free," said Chris Kaiser, SPNRD Natural Resources Conservationist. "Overnight camping fees, limiting the number of camping days, and boat docks were talking points at the Oliver Reservoir Community Meeting held February 8, 2024, in Kimball, Nebraska", he said.

The Board also approved funding for the scholarship programs. "The District has for many years supported education in varying ways. The most successful has been through scholarships," said Yolanda Hruska, Information & Education Coordinator. "To assist students who have an interest in furthering their education in natural resources, we offer a $500 Conservation Scholarship and Camp Scholarships to students residing in Kimball, Cheyenne, and Deuel counties," said Hruska. Both applications are available on our website, http://www.spnrd.org.

SPNRD sponsors Adventure Camp about the Environment and Nebraska Youth Range Camp. Camp scholarships cover registration fees and offer an opportunity for students to visit a new place and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities while learning about plants, animals, and conservation.

Jennifer Schellpeper, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, provided an update on the Joint Integrated Management Plan (IMP) 2023 Robust Review. The SPNRD is currently meeting its obligations under the IMP; therefore, the IMP will not need to be modified at this time.

The Public Hearing for amending the SPNRD's Districtwide Ground Water Management Area Rules and Regulations has been scheduled for Monday, May 13, 2024. at the SPNRD Office. The information session will begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by the public hearing at 5:00 p.m., or 30 minutes after the session ends, whichever is later. Procedures for the hearing, the timeframe for board action and effective date of the changes were also reviewed.

SPNRD Board of Directors meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at the District office located at 551 Parkland Drive in Sidney. The Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes are available at the office or visit http://www.spnrd.org.