Battle Creek dam proposal continues to be the center point for LENRD

NORFOLK, Neb. -- The Battle Creek dam proposal was discussed at length during The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District's Thursday meeting.

After hearing a proposed amendment to the Battle Creek dam proposal by JEO consulting, two board members, Matt Steffen and Rod Zohner, said they would not support the construction of the dam if the LENRD had to use eminent domain to obtain the land.

"These farmers, that's their job, I mean they farm that's their job," Zohner said. "If we take their farms away, we're taking their jobs away. You can't take that away from them...It's just too much."

Another board member took a different stance, pointing out that it was the LENRD's responsibility to protect the city of Battle Creek. Chad Korth said he wasn't pro-dam, but said a solution needs to be found that will work best for everyone involved.

"Don't we all have a responsibility to protect the people of Battle Creek," Korth asked. "To me, we need to figure out what's the best. I'm not pro-dam or pro-whatever, but something needs to happen to help protect Battle Creek. So, what is the answer? I don't know, but we do need to do something that protects our ag people and our people that live in our communities."

No actions were taken at the meeting for the dam proposal, as no actions can be taken at a sub-committee meeting.