Chemigation
In the mid-1980’s the Nebraska Legislature passed the Chemigation Act to protect our ground and surface water from possible contamination. The operator of a chemigation system is required to obtain a permit before chemigating. Permit holders are primarily liable for any damage resulting from chemigation and for maintenance expenses on their chemigation equipment.
Certification Requirements
Chemigation training is offered at face-to-face events and online. Either option can be utilized, regardless of whether you are seeking certification for the first time or renewing your certification. Both training formats include an exam that you must pass to become certified (or recertified).
Please Scroll down to see locations and link to Courses
Inspections
Under provisions of the Nebraska Chemigation Act, Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) are responsible for inspecting each irrigation system through which any agricultural chemical will be applied to ensure that mandatory safety devices are installed and functioning. All operating permits are subject to periodic random inspections to ensure continued compliance. Any new system must be inspected before chemigation can begin.
Chemigation Permit Fees
New Permits: $75 per injection site
Renewal Permits: $25 per injection site
Emergency Permits: $500 per injection site
All permits are good for one year, expiring on June 1. New permits approved at any time during the calendar year expire on June 1 of the following year.
As a courtesy to operators, renewal applications are mailed out from the UNWNRD office. However, it is the responsibility of each operator to contact the UNWNRD if he/she does not receive the necessary permits, to complete the required information and to return renewal permits by the deadline. Any permit not renewed by June 1 is subject to cancellation – the operator must then pay the new permit fee and have the system inspected to be eligible to chemigate again.
Penalties
Violators of the Chemigation Program will be submitted to county attorneys. Penalties consist of Class I, II, III or IV misdemeanors or a civil fine.
Chemigation Applicator Permits
The chemigation certification program is responsible for training Nebraska producers about the Nebraska Chemigation Act and the Rules and Regulations as developed by the NDEE. Certification applicants are required to attend a training program and pass an exam. The Act allowed the NDEE to contract with the University of Nebraska to deliver the training program.
The 2024 in-person trainings have ended.
A chemigation applicator certification card will be issued to successful applicants by the NDEE. The certification expires on January 1, 4 years after it is issued. For example, certifications issued in 2011 will expire on January 1, 2015.
Online certification
Training for Initial and Recertifying Chemigators- the online training program covers all of the information presented at the in-person training events and uses the same test. It consists of a series of modules which contain text, video clips and calculators to provide chemigators with the necessary information to employ chemigation in an effective, efficient and environmentally safe manner while safeguarding farm workers involved in chemigation.
In order to complete your training, you need to study each chapter and complete any activity related to that module. Each module/activity is “locked” meaning you will not be able to proceed until completing the previous section. Please Note: You must complete all video verifications for each Chapter (1-9) before the option to take the Chemigation test will appear.
Proceed to Nebraska Chemigation Training.
In-person certification
January 14 – 1 pm. CT : WCREEC, North Platte (402 W. State Farm Rd.)
January 21 – 9 am. MT : Arthur County Courthouse, Arthur (205 Fir St.)
January 28 – 1 pm. MT : Keith County Fairgrounds, Ogallala (1000 W. 3rd St.)
February 13 – 1 pm. CT : Logan County Courthouse, Stapleton (317 Main St. #8)
April 10 – 9 am. CT: WCREEC, North Platte (402 W. State Farm Rd.)
RSVP: (308) 532-2683
*Please RSVP at least one day prior to training date*
*Please arrive 15 minutes prior to class starting*
Links:
- Chemigation Program: Chemigation Program | NDEE NE
- Chemigation Applicator Search Page (links to old page) Search Chemigation Applicator List
- Agriculture Chemical Secondary Containment: Agricultural Chemical Secondary Containment | NDEE NE