Access digital copies of guides and regulations publications from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
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53 ASSESS the feasibility of a state- and/or federally funded short-term set-aside program directed toward focus areas A "short-term set-aside" incentive (diverse food plot idled for three years) was offered in the NEPOA from 2016-2020 (approximately 250 acres enrolled) but no other state or federal funding has been identified to expand the program at this time. The Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) is a form of "short-term CRP" but is only available in the Prairie Pothole Region currently but may be expanded to other states. NGPC will continue to seek opportunities to establish short-term habitat through SHIPP and other "working lands" programs authorized under the USDA Farm Bill (e.g., EQIP, CSP, etc.). B2� NGPC Technical and Partnership Assistance Affecting USDA Conservation Programs BEGIN work on a proposal for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program that emphasizes pheasant and quail habitat NGPC and partners were successful in securing RCPP grant funding through USDA for several initiatives that provided benefits to upland gamebirds: Divots in Pivots (wetland easements in Rainwater Basin), Cover Crop for Soil Health and Wildlife (select counties in SC/SW Nebraska), and Grassland Birds (multi-state project including select counties in SE/SC Nebraska). ASSESS the feasibility of employing at least one partnership biologist in each county within our Focus on Pheasants focus areas to promote beneficial habitat practices and more fully take advantage of habitat improvement opportunities NGPC currently helps fund 17 Farm Bill Biologist (FBB) and eight Coordinating Wildlife Biologist (CWB) positions statewide, which have coverage responsibilities spanning across all of Nebraska's 93 counties. Since the start of the plan (2016), positions have been added in Alliance (FBB), Curtis (CWB), Ainsworth (FBB), Sidney (NGPC Biologist II), Lewellen (NGPC Biologist II), Enders (NGPC Biologist II – relocated from North Platte), Grand Island (FBB), Lincoln (FBB and CWB), York (CWB), and Neligh (CWB). B3� NGPC Technical and Partnership Assistance Affecting NGO Conservation Programs CONTINUE fostering development of the Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council The Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council was formed in 2015 and includes representation from private landowners, prescribed burn associations, and conservation organizations. The council is an advocate for the safe use of prescribed fire, has been actively involved with local, state, and national policy matters, and hosts the annual Prescribed Fire Conference in Kearney each winter. B4� Wildlife Management Area Habitat Management Activities BEGIN discontinuing use of food plot seed treated with neonicotinoid insecticides where untreated seed can be obtained, such that risks to pheasants and the food supply for their chicks (i�e�, insects) are minimized The use of non-neonicotinoid seed is now a requirement in all crop lease agreements on NGPC lands. Lessees are allowed time to transition but a "drop-dead" date of conversion to non-neonicotinoid seed is defined in existing agricultural leases. Food plot seed donated by PF Chapters/others for use on WMAs also must be neonicotinoid-free to reduce potential negative impacts to wildlife. BEGIN discontinuing the planting of Canada wild rye due to its potential to cause nocardia and similar infections in dogs Canada wild rye is a native, cool-season grass species (without a lot of alternatives) that is still being used in USDA mixtures and in plantings on some NGPC lands - this continues to be left up to biologist discretion. ASSESS the feasibility of an upland game focus area spanning public and private lands in the Platte River valley As mentioned above, the Central Platte POA was one of the eight priority areas identified in the original plan and included four wildlife management areas that were intensively managed for upland gamebirds (primarily quail). Despite these habitat improvements, very few hunters utilize these areas for upland bird hunting (primarily used for deer/turkey hunting). Grassland habitat occurring on these WMAs will continue to be managed with periodic disturbances to benefit upland gamebirds and other wildlife.