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About
Natural Resources Districts
What are Natural Resources Districts?
The Nebraska
Legislature enacted laws in 1972 to combine 154
special purpose entities into 24 Natural
Resources Districts. A merger in 1989 reduced
that number to 23 Natural Resources Districts.
These Districts are unique to Nebraska. Natural
Resources Districts are local government units
with broad responsibilities to conserve and
protect natural resources. Major Nebraska river
basins form the boundaries, enabling Districts
to respond best to local needs.
Power & Authorities:
Each Natural Resources District has the power and authority to levy a tax of no more than $.04500 for each one hundred dollars of taxable property. The 2004 fiscal year tax levy for the Twin Platte Natural Resources District is $.013681. Each Natural Resources District has the power and authority to levy a tax, with limits, for each one hundred dollars of taxable property. The levy limit established by State Statute Section 77-3442 for Natural Resources Districts is 4.5 Cents; plus up to 1.0 cent for ground water management activities as allowed by State Statute Section 2-3225, plus 3.0 cents for ground water management activities for Natural Resources Districts designated as fully appropriated or over appropriated as allowed by State Statute Section 2-3225. The Twin Platte Natural Resources District was designated as fully appropriated and over appropriated in 2004. The 2010-2011 fiscal year tax levy for the Twin Platte Natural Resources District is 6.9101 cents. The money from the tax is used along with other funding sources (cost-share programs, grants, and special assessments) for Twin Platte Natural Resources District operations.
Natural Resources Districts can offer technical
and financial assistance to public and private
cooperators for activities that support Natural
Resources Districts stated purposes. Natural
Resources Districts can provide specialized
equipment materials and services to landowners
that are not otherwise readily available, and
assist them in soil and water conservation.
Natural Resources Districts have the necessary
authorities to manage the ground water resources
to insure the future sustainability of the
ground water. By cooperating with, combining,
and administering funds of other state, local,
and federal agencies, Natural Resources
Districts provide a wide variety of services to
protect Nebraska's natural resources.
A locally elected
board of
directors
governs the Natural Resources Districts. The
Twin Platte Natural Resources District has 11
board members from Arthur and Keith Counties,
the northern two-thirds of Lincoln County, and
the western two-thirds of McPherson County.
Elected sub-district 1 represents the Sandhills
region and a part of the City of North Platte;
sub-district 2 represents the canyonlands and
harder rangelands of southern Lincoln County,
the croplands of east central and northeast
Lincoln County, and a part of the City of North
Platte; sub-district 3 represents a part of the
City of North Platte; sub-district 4 represents
the North Platte River and South Platte River
Valleys in Lincoln County and a part of the City
of North Platte; and sub-district 5 represents
the cropland of southern and western Keith
County and the City of Ogallala.
General Purpose and Mission:
The purpose
of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District
shall be to engage itself in a general program
of management, development, and protection of
the soil and water resources found in the
District.
The mission
of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District is
to be a leader in conserving, protecting,
developing, and maintaining the natural
resources of the District for the health and
welfare of the people of the Twin Platte Natural
Resources District.
The methods
to meet the responsibility of the Twin Platte
Natural Resources District, as authorized by
Nebraska statutes, are leadership, technical
assistance, cost-sharing, monitoring, data
collection, construction, operations,
information, education, and regulation.
Priorities for Goals:
The following priorities are assigned to the
goals to designate those areas where the Twin
Platte Natural Resources District will place the
most emphasis. These priorities reflect need for
activity and do not assign importance of any one
goal over another.
First Priority:
-
Erosion Prevention and Control,
and Soil
Conservation
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Prevention of
Damage from Flood Water and Sediment, and Flood
Prevention and Control
-
Development, Management,
Utilization, and Conservation of Ground Water
-
Development and Management of
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
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Range Management
-
Forestry Management
Second
Priority:
-
Water Supply for any
Beneficial Uses
-
Development, Management,
Utilization, and Conservation of Surface Water
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Pollution Control
-
Solid Waste Disposal and
Sanitary Drainage
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Drainage Improvement and
Channel Rectification
-
Development and Management of
Recreation and Parks Facilities
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