Focus On Water Division
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Standard Operating Procedure

Water Quality Division
Water Quality Assessment Section - GW

Standard Operating Procedure Number: GW-160
Title: Reporting for the Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) Program
Written Date: September 1, 2000
Approved Date:


Purpose: To produce reports of Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) studies in a consistent manner.

Equipment/Materials Needed:
  • An approved GWMA study request as per SOP # GW-010
  • Adequate ground water quality data and background information collected and analyzed as per SOPs # GW-020, 050, 060, 061, 070, 080, 090, 091, 092, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150

Procedures:
1. Assemble all available data.
2. Write the report following the general example shown in Appendix A.
3. Internal review
3.1. At the project manager’s discretion, draft versions of the report can be circulated within NDEQ either in partial form (i.e. “pieces” of the report can be circulated at different times) or it can be circulated once it is substantially complete.
3.2. Circulate the draft report to the following individuals:
3.2.1. Program Specialists involved in the GWMA program
3.2.2. Ground Water Unit Supervisor
3.2.3. Water Quality Assessment Section Supervisor
3.2.4. Legal Counsel (or designee)
3.2.5. Water Quality Division Assistant Director
3.2.6. Deputy Directors
3.3. The target date for completion of the draft report is February 1, or another date as mutually agreed upon by the project manager, supervisor, and affected NRD.
4. Upon completion of the draft report, circulate it to the agencies and individuals listed in Appendix B.
4.1. Allow approximately 30 days for comments to be returned (this can generally be accomplished in less time, if necessary).
5. Upon return of comments from other agencies, incorporate those comments as warranted into the draft report.
6. Once review has been completed, work with the Unit and Section Supervisors (and Assistant and Deputy Directors, if necessary) to schedule a briefing of the Director.
6.1. If the Director requires revision of the report, proceed with those revisions.
6.2. If the Director agrees with the report, proceed to Step 7.
7. Issue the final report.
7.1. The target date for completion of the final report is April 1.
7.2. Order copies of the final report.
7.2.1. The number of copies will depend on the size of the area involved and the consequent number of people interested in obtaining the report. In general, the target number for the first printing of a final report will be 100.
7.2.2. The final report will be produced as follows:
7.2.2.1. Printed double-sided on recycled paper
7.2.2.2. Front and back covers of standard cardstock (any color), with title information printed on the front cover
7.2.2.3. Tape binding
8. Present the final report and recommendations to the affected NRD(s).
8.1. Contact the affected NRD(s) to schedule a convenient time and place for this presentation. It will normally be a regularly-scheduled board meeting.
9. Mail/deliver the final report to the agencies/individuals listed in Appendix C, including a cover letter explaining the reason for the report, and informing them of the public hearing scheduled as per SOP # GW-161.

Appendix A. General Format for GWMA Reports (NOTE: this is a general guideline only. The actual report format may be modified to better fit the particular conditions and results of a particular study).

  • Table of Contents
  • List of Figures
  • List of Tables
  • Executive Summary
  • Acknowledgements
  • Introduction
  • Background
  • Regional Setting
  • Previous Studies
  • Climate
  • Population
  • Physiography
  • Land Use
  • Soils
  • Geology
  • Ground Water
  • Surface Water/Ground Water Interaction
  • Historical Water Quality
  • Sampling Methods
  • Quality Assurance/Quality Control
  • Sampling Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations
  • References
  • Appendices

Appendix B. List of Agencies/Individuals for Review of Draft GWMA Reports.

Director


Conservation and Survey Division
113 Nebraska Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE
(Interoffice mail)

Director
NE Dept. of Natural Resources
4th Floor--NSOB
Lincoln, NE
(Interoffice mail)

Director
NE Health & Human Services
Dept. of Regulation & Licensure
3rd Floor--NSOB
Lincoln, NE
(Interoffice mail)

Director
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Division
406 Federal Building
100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, NE 68508

Director
UNL Water Center
103 Natural Resources Hall
University of Nebraska East Campus
Lincoln, NE
(Interoffice mail)

NDEQ Liaison
USDA-NRCS
3rd Floor Federal Building
100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, NE 68508

Manager
Affected NRD(s)

Note: This list can be revised or increased as necessary or desired.

Appendix C. List of Agencies/Individuals for Receipt of Final GWMA Reports.

SEND THE FINAL REPORT TO ALL AGENCIES LISTED IN APPENDIX B, plus the following:

Governor’s Policy Research Office
Room 1319, State Capitol
Lincoln, NE
(Interoffice mail)

Mr. Bob Kuzelka
Water Center
103 Natural Resources Hall
University of Nebraska East Campus
Lincoln, NE
(Interoffice mail)

Prof. J. David Aiken
Dept. of Agricultual Economics
207B Filley Hall
University of Nebraska East Campus
Lincoln, NE
(Interoffice mail)

Mr. Jim Cook
NE Dept. of Natural Resources
4th Floor--NSOB
Lincoln, NE
(Interoffice mail)

Mr. Dean Edson, Director
NE Assn. of Resources Districts
601 S. 12th Street, Suite 201
Lincoln, NE 68508

Managers
All 23 Natural Resources Districts
Nebraska State Senator(s) of affected area

Both U.S. Senators

U.S. Representative(s) of affected area

Mr. Ken Noonan
USDA-NRCS
3rd Floor, Federal Building
100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, NE 68508

Ms. Susan Seacrest, Director
The Ground Water Foundation
P.O. Box 22558
Lincoln, NE 68524

Ms. Kris Thorpe
Center for Rural Affairs
P.O. Box 406
Walthill, NE 68067

Nebraska Library Commission
Suite 120, The Atrium
1200 ‘N’ Street
Lincoln, NE (Interoffice mail)
(Send 3 copies)

Note: This list can be revised or increased as necessary or desired.