Foster County board approves Van Bedaf subsurface water permit with conditions; one member abstains

The Foster County Water Resource Board voted May 27, 2026 to approve Subsurface Water Management System Permit Application No. 20260003 submitted by Van Bedaf.

Ronn Stangeland moved to approve the permit with conditions; Alex Stedman seconded. The motion carried, with Manager Doug Zink recorded as abstaining.

The board’s written decision requires: proper erosion control be installed and maintained at all outlets; disturbed areas to be restored to previous conditions; the permittee must obtain an amended permit for alterations to outlet locations, new outlets, or improvements that would drain additional acres; and the permittee must ensure there is grade from the outlet lift pump to the natural watercourse in the SE1/4 of Section 34-146-66 so that flow follows the Flow Direction Map submitted with the application. If grading within the road right-of-way west of 70th Ave. NE is necessary to meet that condition, the permittee is responsible for obtaining permission from the applicable road authority and underlying landowner prior to work.

The board directed Rinke Noonan law firm to send the notice of decision to DWR (as referenced in the minutes) and to Maurice & Virginia, LLP. The minutes record that an application for appropriation of groundwater was distributed for review later in the meeting and that no members voiced opposition.

The board did not specify a further schedule for monitoring or additional filings in the published minutes; the decision lists required permit amendments for material changes of outlet locations or flow.