The Nebraska State Legislature has given Natural Resources District specific responsibilities as it oversees the quality and quantity of groundwater, as well as other natural resources throughout Nebraska. Below are the Upper Big Blue NRD’s Rules and Regulations organized into ten chapters.

• Rule 1: Public Participation at Official Meetings of the District
• Rule 2: Conduct of Informal, Non-adjudicatory Public Hearings
• Rule 3: Conduct of Formal, Adjudicatory Hearings Before the District
• Rule 4: Enforcement of the Groundwater Management and Protection Act
• Rule 5: Groundwater Management Area #1 and #2
• Rule 6: Upper Big Blue NRD Park Regulations
• Rule 7: Chemigation - Title 195 of the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment
• Rule 8: Erosion and Sediment Control Act
• Rule 9: Scientific and Other Data Used for Development of Integrated Management
• Rule 10: Upper Big Blue NRD Lower Platte River Basin Groundwater Management

Additional:

• Phase I, II, and III Rules and Regulations, Reporting Requirements
• Hastings Wellhead Protection Areas Rules and Regulations

Recent Orders:

• Order to Amend Rule 6 - NRD Park Regulations - Effective July 28, 2026

Proposed Changes to Rule 5:

• Rule 5 - Draft - Proposed Changes Removing Dryland Reporting Requirements
• Rule 5, Chapter 22 - Draft - Proposed Changes Removing Dryland Reporting Requirements
• Rule 5, Chapter 26 - Draft - Proposed Changes Removing Dryland Reporting Requirements
• The Board of Directors will vote to adopt these amendments at a future regular board meeting.