​LPSNRD protects irrigation water sources from contamination by fertilizer or pesticides, as established in the Nebraska Chemigation Act. When fertilizer or pesticides (i.e., fungicide, herbicide or insecticide) are applied through an irrigation system (chemigation), LPSNRD works with other agencies to ensure chemigation applicators and irrigation systems comply with the requirements of the Nebraska Chemigation Act and Title 195, “Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Chemigation.”​

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is responsible for certifying chemigation applicators and NDEQ has contracted with the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension to administer training and testing.  Chemigation certification information and training dates/locations can be found at http://deq.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/Chemig. Applicators must be recertified every four years.

The responsibility of Natural Resources Districts is to permit and inspect injection sites and required safety equipment:

Obtaining a Permit for a NEW System

• Complete the Application for a Chemigation Permit and submit to LSPNRD, along with the appropriate fee, at: Lower Platte South NRD, P O Box 83581, Lincoln, NE 68501-3581
  • Permit fee: $60.00
  • Renewal fee: $30.00
  • Special permit: $60.00
  • Emergency permit: $250.00
• All new chemigation systems must be inspected prior to chemigation​.
• It is the applicant/permit holder's responsibility to schedule the required inspection with the district within 45 days.

Renewing an Existing System Permit

• All current permit holders will be notified by U.S. Mail (usually in early May) to renew their permits prior to June 1st.
• Failure to renew a permit prior to June 1st will result in the system needing a new permit and an inspection will be required.
• Systems for which renewal permits are issued are inspected every three years (unless changes are made to the system).