Central Platte Update: Summer 2019
The Central Platte region, like much of the eastern half of the state, has experienced numerous episodes of flooding this year beginning in March. Participants in the Water for Agriculture program have been responding in their various capacities to these challenges.
The Central Platte Local Leadership Team has met several times over the summer, exploring the results of the preliminary Water for Ag survey and interviews in the Central Platte region, and discussing potential topics the group might work on. At the August 15th meeting, the group chose to start working on a project to create a long-term funding mechanism for invasive Phragmites control and management within the region. Phragmites outcompetes native vegetation, lowers the local plant biodiversity, and decreases habitat for invertebrates, fish, and water-birds as well as clogs channels and exacerbates flooding.