Meeting Moved For September 2

By Gordon HopkinsJefferson County Commissioners have decided to move their September 2 meeting upstairs to the courtroom to accommodate the larger than usual crowd expected for a controversial well project being discussed. In Thursday, August 14, the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Committee voted unanimously to recommend a special use permit for two wells to be drilled on the property of Bill and Mary Glenn, approximately two miles north of Alexandria State Lakes. That recommendation was then forwarded to county commissioners for consideration.The wells being proposed is not for private use but instead will provide water to customers of the Little Blue Natural Resources District (LBNRD).There has been considerable opposition from members of the public who fear the impact on their own wells. At a previous meeting, commissioners emphasized they are only reviewing the proposed permits for appropriate land use. They will not be making a determination based on other factors.Commissioner Michael Dux said, “We are not for or against a project. We are for land use only.”LBNRD also applied for an in-state and out-of-state groundwater transfer permit from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources in February of 2025. According to Scott Nelson, LBNRD General Manager, they are, “Waiting for their review.” At the Planning and Zoning meeting in August, Nelson said, “We have a permit to bore under the Burlington Northern Railroad that was recently approved.” Nelson more recently clarified, “I misspoke, it is with Union Pacific Railroad out of Omaha.”

Todd Roth

Fairbury Cemetery Association

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