NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
RELATING TO THE TRI-BASIN REPUBLICAN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT AND THE
NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF WATER, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT
PROPOSED INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 46-718 and 46-743, the Tri-Basin Republican Natural Resources District (TBNRD) and the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (Department) hereby provide notice that the TBNRD and the Department shall hold a public hearing on February 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Central Time at the TBNRD office, located at 1723 Burlington St, Holdrege, Nebraska. As required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 46-718(1), the purpose of the hearing is to take testimony on the proposed Second-Generation Integrated Management Plan (IMP) jointly developed by the Department and TBNRD and the proposed controls. Prior to the public hearing, TBNRD and the Department will hold a public information meeting at the TBNRD office on February 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. This meeting provides the public an opportunity to learn about the IMP and ask questions prior to the public hearing.
Tri-Basin NRD
1723 Burlington Street, Holdrege, NE 68949
Phone: (308) 995-6688 Fax: (308) 995-6992 Email: tribasin@tribasinnrd.org
The geographic area for the proposed IMP, including for the proposed groundwater and surface water controls, encompasses the entire land area within the Republican Basin portion of TBNRD. A general description of the proposed IMP includes the following: I. Effective Date, II. Introduction, III. Authority and Background, IV. Map and Management Area Boundaries, V. Goals and Objectives, VI. Action Items, VII. Monitoring and Studies, VIII. Review and Modifications, IX. Information Considered, and X. Definitions. Section VI. of the IMP outlines the controls for groundwater and surface water management that are consistent with meeting the goals and objectives of the IMP. The groundwater controls are separated into Compliance Standards and other controls. The controls found in the existing IMP (available at https://dwee.nebraska.gov) will continue to be used in the proposed IMP. The proposed substantive changes to the controls include adding two Compliance Standards, clarifying Groundwater Regulatory Action Items, and ensuring the proposed IMP aligns with the other Republican NRD IMPs to be in compliance with the Republican Basin-wide Plan and Republican River Compact.
Any interested person may appear at the hearing and present written or oral testimony concerning the proposed IMP and proposed controls. Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and service necessary for participation by contacting the TBNRD or the Department by January 28, 2026. Testimony or other evidence relevant to the purposes of the hearing may also be submitted in writing to Tri-Basin NRD, 1723 Burlington St, Holdrege, NE, 68949, or the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, 245 Fallbrook Blvd suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68521, or by electronic mail at dwee.legalfile@nebraska.gov by 5:00pm, January 28, 2026.
The full text of the proposed IMP and proposed controls may be obtained via the TBNRD’s website at https://www.tribasinnrd.org or telephone (308) 995-6688 or the Department’s website at: https://dwee.nebraska.gov or telephone (402) 471-2363. Following the public hearing the TBNRD and the Department will make a joint decision within 60 days of whether to implement the proposed IMP with or without modifications and whether to adopt and implement the controls as proposed in the IMP.