On September 21, 2023, the Upper Big Blue Board of Directors voted to move Zone 4 to a Phase II Management Area, beginning January 2024. This was based on the monitoring well sample results for the summer of 2023, which showed a median nitrate level of 7.1 ppm for the zone. The following townships will now be subject to Phase II requirements: 

• York County: Stewart (12N-01W), Thayer (12N-02W), Morton (12N-03W) 
• Polk County: Map North Canada (14N and 15N-1W), Map North Osceola (15N-2W), Map South Osceola (14N-2W), Map South Canada (13N-1W), Map East Stromsburg (13N-2W). 

All operators of land within a Phase II Management Area are subject to the following requirements: 

• Nitrogen Certification Training once every 4 years 
• Irrigation scheduling equipment is required in at least one field in a Phase II area 
• Soil samples are required in years when corn or sorghum will be grown following a non-legume crop and/or when livestock, municipal or industrial waste has been applied within the last 12 months 
• University of Nebraska Recommended Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Rate 
• An annual report is required for all dryland and irrigated fields by April 1 

See all the requirements for Phase I, II and III here.