Chemigation Renewal Permits Due June 1st Each Year

Farmers planning to chemigate during the 2024 growing season must renew chemigation permits by June 1 to meet state deadline requirements.

Chemigation is the application of any chemical, fertilizer or pesticide through an irrigation system. To legally chemigate in Nebraska, an operator must be certified to apply chemicals and obtain a chemigation permit from their local Natural Resources District (NRD).

"Farmers holding chemigation permits, even if they are uncertain whether they will chemigate later this year, should consider renewing their permits by June 1," said Josh Schnitzler, Water Resources Manager for the Lower Elkhorn NRD (LENRD). Schnitzler is encouraging area producers to reapply by the state-required deadline to avoid the increased cost and possible delays of an inspection.

An irrigation system that has not been renewed prior to the June 1 deadline cannot apply chemicals through the system until a new permit is obtained.  Chemigation renewal permits cost $20.  New chemigation permits cost $50, and the applicant cannot use the system until it passes a mandatory inspection.  All permits must be submitted to the LENRD office at 1508 Square Turn Boulevard in Norfolk.

By renewing a permit by June 1, a producer may proceed with chemigation. An inspection does not have to be performed prior to chemigation for a renewal application. However, a random chemigation inspection may be necessary later in the season as part of the LENRD's routine summer inspections as required by state law.

Applicants must have the signature of a certified applicator on their application form.  In order to be certified, a person must complete a chemigation safety course and pass an exam once every four years.

If chemigating is necessary on short notice, emergency permits can be obtained at a cost of $250. Please allow 2 working days for emergency permits.

For more information on renewing or obtaining chemigation permits, call the LENRD office in Norfolk at 402-371-7313 or visit http://www.lenrd.org/chemigation