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Middle Republican NRD honoring retiring manager
CURTIS, Nebraska -- The public is invited to join the staff of the Middle Republican Natural Resources District to wish General Manager Dan Smith the best of everything as he completes a nearly 35-year career with the District and begins his well-earned retirement.
The public is invited to join the staff at the Middle Republican Natural Resources District office in Curtis, Nebraska on Friday Dec. 20, share stories and enjoy a hot beverage and good cheer.
Dan started his career with the NRD as assistant manager 34 years ago, just seven years after the NRD system was established. The focus of the district at that time was soil conservation and flood control. Dan didn't have the corner office during those early days his office, more often than not, was outside.
Wayne Heathers, the first Manager of the Middle Republican NRD and Dan's boss, recounted that he was a Jack-of-all-trades and took on new challenges willingly. This quality would explain his track record of accomplishments during his tenure.
* Several Flood Control Structures installed in addition to the existing structures installed in the 1960s.
* Ground Water Management Plan - revised 1994
* First Integrated Management Plan in the state - 2004
* Second Water Quality Management Area in the state.
* Purchase of the Riverside Irrigation Company (Retirement of 672 acres)
* 4,100 retired certified ground water acres in the District .
Dan received the following awards and nominations:
* 2011 Nebraska Land Improvement Contractors Assoc. for NRD Outstanding Leadership
* 2011 NARD Award for work and leadership on Republican River Basin water issues.
* 2013 Nomination for the NARD Hall of Fame award.
Joe Anderjaska, President of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts and Board Member of the District summarizes the nature of Dan's years of service, "Dan has served the District and the NRD system with professionalism, an unselfish dedication and a strong understanding of water policy across the state. After working with Dan Smith through these last 13 years, it's easy to see why he is so well respected as a true leader and pioneer in natural resources. I am truly honored to have been given the chance to work under Dan's leadership and to be able to call him a friend."
Looking back, Dan acknowledges the benefits of working with Wayne Heathers for a number of years. This, he says, "helped my transition to General Manager, making the process much easier."
Asked what he enjoyed most about working for the District, Dan replied, "the challenges with the changes in programs and priorities from an emphasis on watershed programs with a focus on minimizing flooding in the district to a focus on groundwater quality in the mid '90s and groundwater quantity more recently.
"I feel my greatest accomplishment during my years as general manager has been working with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources in the development of the Integrated Management Plan which has allowed the District, Basin and the State to move forward with water policy and programs and maintain an irrigated based economy for southwest Nebraska."
Looking forward, he sees the district gradually moving towards conjunctive management of water rather than focusing on surface water and groundwater
The Middle Republican NRD protects lives, property and the future of the District through a wide range of stewardship, management and education programs--from flood control to groundwater monitoring, from irrigation management to soil conservation and more.
Activities and projects of the Middle Republican NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected board of directors.
For more information, visit www.mrnrd.org or call 1-800-873-5613.