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Cost Share Program Makes Rural Intersections Safer

Late summer brings beautiful cornfields, but tall crops can create dangerous blind spots at rural intersections. 

To improve safety and enhance our environment, the Papio NRD, Pheasants Forever, The Nebraska Environmental Trust, and Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, offer a cost share program for landowners to plant native grasses and wildflowers to increase visibility.

Through our Pollinator Safety Corners Program, landowners can take one to three acres out of crop production at a four-way rural intersection and convert it into a mix of short, native grasses or pollinator habitat.

Landowners receive 75% cost share for seeds and an annual payment of $250 per acre for five years. Some participants even add bee boxes to their safety corners.

With your participation, we can make these intersections safer for our communities and beneficial for pollinators. 

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact your Papio NRD field office representative.

Washington, Douglas, Sarpy Counties: John Zaugg (402) 670-4336 

Burt County: Jon Hansen (402) 253-9911

Thurston, Dakota Counties: Kaden Kneifl (402) 677-6988

Papio NRD Names New Reservoirs & Recreation Areas

The Papio NRD Board of Directors has named four of its upcoming flood reduction reservoirs and recreation areas that will be located in the Omaha metro.

Mad Bear flood reduction reservoir under construction near 168th & Giles Road in Gretna.

The projects will feature no-wake lakes (reservoirs) and recreation amenities, including trails, kayak/canoe launches, fishing access, and picnic areas.

The names include:

  • Marlin Petermann Recreation Area – under construction near 180th and Fort Street in Omaha. Estimated to be complete spring of 2027.
  • Mad Bear Recreation Area – under construction near 168th and Giles Road in Gretna. Estimated to be complete fall of 2025.
  • Forest City Recreation Area – under construction near 204th and Schram Road in Gretna. Estimated to be complete late summer of 2025.
  • Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Recreation Area – to be located near 192nd and Giles Road in Gretna. Construction estimated to begin in five years.

“As a veteran of the United States Army, I felt strongly that one of the new flood reduction reservoirs and recreation areas be named after the first Native American to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor: Sergeant Mad Bear,” said Papio NRD Board vice chairman, Dr. Larry Bradley. “Sgt. Mad Bear performed some of his meritorious duties in Nebraska. As I was raised by Oglala Lakota and am part Native American myself, naming these sites to honor notable, local Indigenous peoples is an important and meaningful tribute. In addition, recognizing the late Marlin Petermann is richly deserved, as his work at the Papio NRD directly enabled the construction of these (and many other) reservoirs and the naming of them possible,” said Dr. Bradley.

“I am honored to participate in the naming of two flood mitigation reservoirs and recreation sites after historic Native Americans that made a significant difference in Nebraska,” said Papio NRD Board Director, Jim Thompson. “These truly deserving individuals will be recognized by current and future generations who utilize these sites. Naming another reservoir and recreation area after the late Marlin Petermann is a most appropriate recognition due to his lifelong dedication and service to Nebraska’s natural resources,” said Thompson.

In response to public input for name recommendations, the board named the fourth Papio NRD reservoir and recreation area Forest City Recreation Area due to its historical significance to the City of Gretna. The name recognizes the area’s history, as the town was originally known as Forest City before the railroad’s arrival shifted development to present-day Gretna.

 

 

New Papio NRD Board Members Sworn In

Two recently elected members of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD) Board of Directors were sworn in at last night’s board meeting. 

Patrick Bonnett, who previously served on the Papio NRD Board from 2012-2016, replaces Mark Gruenewald in Subdistrict 9, who joined the board in 2017. Phil Davidson, City of Bellevue Community Relations Coordinator, defeated incumbent John Wiese in Subdistrict 11, who served since 2016.

Incumbent Larry Bradley, a former board member who rejoined the Papio NRD Board in 2017, retains his seat in Subdistrict 3 after defeating challenger Christian Mirch. Incumbents Ted Japp (Subdistrict 1), Rich Tesar (Subdistrict 5), and Danny Begley (Subdistrict 7) ran unopposed.

Additional members of the Papio NRD Board of Directors include Fred Conley (Subdistrict 2), Tim McCormick (Subdistrict 4), Jim Thompson (Subdistrict 6), Tim Fowler (Subdistrict 8), Kevyn Sopinski (Subdistrict 10).

 

 

New Director Fills Vacancy in Subdistrict 7 on Papio NRD Board

The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Board of Directors has filled its Subdistrict 7 vacancy.

The Board selected Omahan Danny Begley to replace Patrick Leahy, who had to resign due to moving to a residence located outside of Subdistrict 7. Nebraska state law declares a Papio NRD Director must reside in the subdistrict he/she represents.

Begley, who works for the Omaha Public Power District, took the oath of office on February 14, and will officially participate in his first board meeting Thursday night.

Subdistrict 7’s boundaries roughly comprise of the Dundee/Benson neighborhoods to west of I-680 on Dodge Street.

 

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