NRCS Receives Approval to Close Banner and Deuel County Offices

(LINCOLN) The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nebraska has received approval to proceed with the closing of four county offices, according to Steve Chick, NRCS State Conservationist.

Nebraska NRCS will begin actions to close its offices in the following counties: Banner (Harrisburg), Deuel (Chappell), Dundy (Benkelman) and Sherman (Loup City). "This process will take at least 120 days before any office actually closes its doors because of lease agreements and other factors," said Chick.

"We recently received approval from the National Food and Agriculture Council, which consists of USDA agency leaders, to proceed with our plan that was submitted to Washington in June," he said.

Earlier this Spring, Hayes (Hayes Center) and Dakota (Dakota City) counties were on the proposed closure list but were removed before the plan was submitted to Washington.

"Farmers and ranchers in these counties will be able to choose which adjoining counties they would like to have their records kept. We hope landowners would also consider Natural Resources District boundaries when selecting their USDA Service Center." he said.

"All counties would still receive the same program benefits and service from NRCS. Our employees will continue to be out on the land with the producer to provide technical assistance and information for conservation program," said Chick.

NRCS has one employee in each of these offices and they will be provided reassignment to another office. Natural Resources Districts also provide an office secretary in each of these offices and staff reassignment is the choice of the NRD.

NRCS in April and May held public meetings in each of the communities to discuss and listen to the public's comments. Over 240 people attended the six meetings, which varied from 20 to 75 people per meeting. In addition over 120 letters or e-mails were received.

"Present and potential workload were the primary factors in determining which offices to close. If our operating and employee budget continues downward, we will be looking for other actions to provide service efficiently and that may mean further office closings," said Steve Chick.

The Farm Service Agency in Nebraska, which has also proposed closing 10 offices, has not yet announced approval of their plan.

In related action, Kansas NRCS announced their plan approval in June to close nine of their county offices.