WRAP Members: Click on the following button to access Panel documents. If you need the login, contact Rachael Herpel. |
 WRAP Meeting: January 22, 2009 Back Row: John Owens, Kirk Nelson, Lee Orton, Mike Linder, Dayle Williamson, Dennis Strauch, Kyle Hoagland, Ron Yoder |
Why organize a WRAP?
Several factors prompted University of Nebraska water research leaders and decision-makers to form the Water Resources Advisory Panel (WRAP). Water is a defining issue for our state, and a myriad of serious challenges face Nebraska’s water resources decision-makers. How these challenges are addressed will impact the future of water management in Nebraska, and ultimately, the sustainable use of this invaluable resource. Both UNL’s Land-Grant mission (teaching, research, and service), and its significant educational and research capacity in water puts the University in a unique position to help address these challenges. The Water Resources Research Initiative is an internal "push" toward integrating and promoting excellence in water research efforts at NU, on both the state and national levels. Another purpose of the Initiative is to enhance the University’s connections with state and federal agencies, as well as with NRDs, irrigation districts, agri-business organizations, NGOs, and others with strong ties to Nebraska water issues. In 2006 these factors converged making the time right to better connect the University with those who often rely on NU water-related research; thus, the WRAP was created.
What is the WRAP?
The WRAP is convened by Dr. John Owens, NU Vice President and IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Prem Paul, Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies to represent a wide cross section of the water-decision making community and provide advice and guidance to the University of Nebraska on state water research needs, education, and outreach programs.
Who are the current WRAP members? (when known, link is provided to individual's organization)
- Mr. Mark Brohman, Executive Director, Nebraska Environmental Trust
- Senator Tom Carlson, District 38, Agriculture Committee Chair, Nebraska Legislature
- Mr. Brian Dunnigan, Director, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources
- Mr. Eugene Glock, Cedar Bell Farms
- Mr. Frank Kwapnioski, Water Resources Advisor, Nebraska Public Power District
- Mr. John Miyoshi, General Manager, Lower Platte North NRD
- Ms. Marian Langan, Director, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center; Audubon Nebraska
- Senator Chris Langemeier, District 23, Natural Resources Committee Chair, Nebraska Legislature
- Mr. Mike Linder, Director, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
- Mr. Kirk Nelson, Assistant Director, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Mr. Jerry Obrist, Chief Engineer, City of Lincoln Water System
- Mr. Lee Orton, Executive Director, Nebraska Well Drillers Association
- Mr. Jay Rempe, Director of State Governmental Relations, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation
- Mr. Dennis Strauch, Director, Pathfinder Irrigation District
- Mr. Dayle Williamson, Office of Senator Ben Nelson
Also working closely with the WRAP are Kyle Hoagland, former Director of the Water Center, and Ron Yoder, Department Head of Biological Systems Engineering and Associate Director, Agricultural Water Management Extension and Agricultural Research. Rachael Herpel, Water Education/Outreach Specialist, serves as the liaison and coordinator for Panel activities and for water faculty activities associated with the WRAP.
What the WRAP and the NU Water Faculty have accomplished so far:
In 2006 the WRAP initiated a comprehensive process of surveying Nebraskans and identifying Nebraska's water research needs. WRAP members used the survey to develop a four-part state water research priorities list. In response to this list, faculty developed ten proposals and presented them to the WRAP, who then ranked them in order of importance to the state.
The WRAP's top ranked project is Riparian Vegetation Impacts on Water Quantity, Quality, and Stream Ecology. The first year of this project was funded internally by the NU Rural Initiative and IANR. Subsequent funding has been provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust. Additional information is available on the project website.
Substantial IANR funding for equipment for two of the other leading four projects, on top of NUs in-kind funding, enabled this research to get underway. Subsequent funding for the WRAP's second ranked project, Measurement of evapotranspiration, plant physiology, and other surface energy fluxes in relation to tillage practices, has been provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust. More information about this project is available on Dr. Suat Irmak's website.
The Center Pivot Water Conservation Project was developed in part to address the education and outreach needs identified during this process. Additional information is available on the project website.
Where we go from here:
Since 2006 the WRAP's membership has grown and changed. Consequently, in 2008 the WRAP initiated a process to review and, if needed, update research priorities. (The WRAP's progress is described in the Water Current articles below). The University and the WRAP will build on this early success, move forward with additional projects identified through this evolving process, and continue to work together to address current and future water issues facing Nebraska.
Contact Information:
To contact the University about the WRAP, please call or e-mail:
Ronald E. Yoder, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor and Head
Biological Systems Engineering Department
Associate Director, Agricultural Water Management Extension and Agricultural Research
University of Nebraska
Voice: 402-472-1413 (FAX 6338)
ryoder2@unl.edu
Rachael Herpel
Water Education/Outreach Specialist
University of Nebraska Water Center
Phone: 402-472-4977
rherpel2@unl.edu
Water Current Articles
Article title is linked to a PDF of the article. The date in parentheses is linked to the entire issue (also in PDF) of the Water Current.
- WRAP Update, Rachael Herpel (Summer 2009)
- WRAP Exploring Critical Issues, Rachael Herpel (Spring 2009)
- UNL Faculty Provide Updates to the Water Resources Advisory Panel, Rachael Herpel (Winter 2009)
- Water Resources Advisory Panel Updates Priorities, Rachael Herpel (Fall 2008)
- Water Resources Advisory Panel Expands; Members to Reconvene in September, Rachael Herpel (Summer 2008)
- Water Resources Advisory Panel Holds October Progress Meeting, Jessica Harder and Steve Ress (Fall 2007)
- Water Resources Advisory Panel Update, Jessica Harder (Summer 2007)
- WRAP Group Comes to Campus! From the Director, Kyle D. Hoagland (Spring 2007)
- UNL Faculty Respond to Advisory Panel State Research Priorities, Jessica Harder (Fall 2006)
- UNL Forms Public Water Resources Advisory Panel (Summer 2006)
