Lincoln to be home to new regional conservation service office

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced Tuesday that it will be placing a regional hub office in Lincoln.

Under a reorganization, the service has created the Office of the Assistant Chiefs, a move it said will enhance leadership in the field and strengthen accountability. The office replaces the Office of the Regional Conservationists, reducing bureaucracy while enhancing communication, consistency, and decision-making at the regional and state levels, the service said in a news release. Each assistant chief will oversee regional operations and work directly with state conservationists.

The Lincoln office, which will be one of four across the country, will supervise an 11-state region in the middle of the country stretching from the Mexican to Canadian borders. No details were given on where specifically the office will be located or how many people will work there. NRCS has an existing office at 1121 Lincoln Mall.

Nebraska’s two U.S. senators praised the decision to locate the office in Lincoln.

“Decision-makers should be as close as possible to the people they serve. Locating this regional hub in Lincoln recognizes the expertise, innovation, and stewardship Nebraskans demonstrate every day,” Sen. Pete Ricketts said in a statement. This modernization will improve accountability and efficiency.”

Sen. Deb Fischer said putting the regional office in Lincoln, “marks an important step in bringing decision-makers closer to the people they serve.”

"I was proud to push for this placement and look forward to working with the administration to ensure our ag producers and landowners have the tools they need to drive real results for rural Nebraska and America,” Fischer said in a statement.