January 30, 2020 at 7:30 AM - Water Committee Meeting
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1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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2. REGULATORY
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2.A. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
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2.A.1. Variance Reconsidered
Rationale:
John Wotipka would like to reduce the number of acres on his application, LPN-V-014-0407, from 99 acres to 80 acres. This reduction in acres would increase the ranking score from 292.5 to 312.5. A flow meter and water use report is already in place on this field.
Juranek Ag (Galen) would like the Committee and Board to reconsider application, LPN-013-0240. Mr. Juranek would like to expand 68 acres on to his 516.09 acres that are currently irrigated with 7 wells. Given the soil conditions, with regards to soil type and irrigation system, Mr. Juranek cannot increase his score above the minimum 300 point threshold. He would like the Board to consider a good cause variance and allow for an expansion of acres without increasing the consumptive use. The three year rolling allocation would be set at 23.86 acre inches. Committee and staff discussed that in this situation with soil types and sub-surface drip irrigation, which would raise his score over the 300 points threshold, is not the correct irrigation system compared to a pivot. The soils have a tendency to crust and the groundwater levels could be within 1 foot of the surface.
Recommended Motion(s):
To approve Variance LPN-013-0240 for Juranek Ag with the conditions of a water flow meter installed, annual water use report and a 3-year rolling allocation of 23.86 acre inches. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
To approve variance LPN-V-014-0407 for John Wotipka if acres are decreased from 99 to 80 acres as proposed. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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2.A.2. Well Permit Program
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2.A.2.a. Well Permits Approved
Rationale:
No permits have been approved in 2020. |
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2.A.3. Morse Bluff Well Permit
Attachments:
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2.A.4. Special Quantity Subareas
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2.A.5. Lower Platte River Basin Water Management Plan Coalition (LPRBC)
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2.A.6. Voluntary Integrated Water Management Plan - LPNNRD
Rationale:
Staff and Bob Hilger met with NeDNR for discussion on the Goal and Objectives of the V-IMP. Jesse Korus presented preliminary findings of the SQS# 2 study, which is a joint project with UNL, DNR and NRD. Staff feels that Jesse could make a presentation to the Board sometime on this information. (attachments)
Discussion of the Acre Feet Allotment was explained and that the depletion numbers were a joint agreement with the Coalition. DNR also mention that they would like to continue a joint project with the NRD on installing more data loggers district wide. A followup meeting with DNR will be conducted in the Spring.
Attachments:
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2.A.7. Cost Share Programs
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2.A.7.a. Municipal Wells Water Use Information
Rationale:
City Water Usage Reports
Attached is 2019 information on total water pumped from wells for Towns/Villages/Cities/Well fields within the LPNNRD Boundary.
Attachments:
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2.A.7.b. Flow Meter and Variance Policy
Rationale:
Attached is some information on Flow Meter Policies and Variance approval. Staff is wanting some discussion on these policies and enforcement of them.
Staff showed the Committee the policy implemented on variances on new/replacement wells and expanded water use from existing wells that was implemented on July 13, 2009. Committee felt that this policy should be enforced and staff should proceed on bringing these individuals or tracts of land into compliance. The date that will be used is July 13, 2009. Letters will be sent out with the original paperwork with a deadline given to producers, who staff feels is out of compliance, to contact staff on meeting compliance on the flow meter policy. All variances are conditional, so the Board can issue a cease and desist order to take away the well permit and/or the certified irrigation acres that was granted upon the variance approval. 2019 District Wide Flow Meter Update- as of 1/28/2020 New or replacement wells: New or Replacement wells with flow meters that have reported for 2019: 423 New or Replacement wells WITH flow meters that have NOT reported for 2019: 45 New or Replacement wells WITHOUT flow meters or no records shown: 20 Variances: Variances with flow meters that have reported for 2019: 104 Variances WITH flow meters that have NOT reported for 2019: 20 Variances WITHOUT flow meters or no records shown: 9 Variances that were NOT expanded or PARTIALLY expanded: 6 Reporting in hours: Wells and variances that have reported in hours in the past; no flow meter requirement (before 2009): 63 Voluntary meters (that we know of): Wells that voluntarily installed flow meters that have reported at some point: 32 SQS #1 Update - As of 1/28/2020 We have readings for all of the wells in this area that are in use (25/25) SQS #2 Update - As of 1/28/2020 We have readings for 267 of the 279 meters in this area; still waiting on 13 reports; have been in contact or have left voicemails with all of the remaining people that haven't reported. (267/279)
Recommended Motion(s):
To authorize staff to send a letter to producers with a deadline of March 13, 2020 to contact NRD staff on how they will come into compliance on the flow meter policy approved by the Board on July 13, 2009. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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2.A.8. Bellwood Phase 2 Area
Rationale:
2020 is the eighteenth year for this Phase 2 Area.
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2.A.9. Richland - Schuyler Phase 2 Area and Hearing Information
Rationale:
A hearing was conducted Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 8:30 am. Page 18, Section H in the Groundwater Rules and Regulations outlines the criteria needed to move this area into a Phase 3 Area. (attached) The map attached shows the area, highlighted in yellow, that is being proposed to move into a Phase 3 Management Area. The public notice is also attached describing the legal descriptions of the 10 additional sections. The minutes and documents submitted into the record are attached for Board review.
Recommended Motion(s):
To move the Schuyler - Richland Nitrogen Management Area Phase 2 Area to a Phase 3 Area as per testimony and documents presented from hearing conducted on January 30, 2020. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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2.A.10. Richland - Schuyler Phase 3 Area
Rationale:
2020 is the fifth year of this Phase 3 Area.
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2.A.11. LPNNRD Operator Certification
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2.B. LIVESTOCK WASTE PERMITS
Rationale:
The LPNNRD has received # 1 livestock permit applications from DEQ since the last Water Committee meeting.
Description of permit application Expanding the feedlot to another 7000 head |
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3. GROUND WATER PROGRAMS
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3.A. DECOMMISSIONED WELL PROGRAM
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3.A.1. Well Estimates
Rationale:
# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.
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3.A.2. Plugged Wells
Rationale:
# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.
Recommended Motion(s):
To approve the cost-share reimbursement payment of $1,000 to Selma Schmit Limited Partnership for the proper decommissioning of one irrigation well in Butler County Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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3.B. LOWER PLATTE NORTH NRD GROUND WATER STUDIES
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3.B.1. Vadose Soil Sampling
Rationale:
An invoice for $13,229.16 is attached per contract from EA Engineering for vadose soil sampling conducted in the Nitrogen Management Areas. The meeting on February 26 in Schuyler starting at 1 pm will feature Dan Snow - UNL Water Center discussing the results.
Attachments:
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3.B.2. Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA)
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3.B.3. Nitrogen Management
Rationale:
Staff is starting to look at potential BMPs for the management areas. Again more discussion is planned for the meeting in Schuyler.
Some discussion ideas
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3.B.4. Lower Platte River Consortium
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3.C. Water Flow Meters
Rationale:
Thoughts on Water Flow Meters
This was last proposal from last Committee Meeting
Meter Details (this would stay the same)
The purpose of installing flow meters for the LPNNRD is to get a better understanding of sustainable aquifers for future generations. This will also allow the LPNNRD to be pro-active instead of re-active if water consumption becomes an issue. A producer can utilize the flow meter on how the well is actually performing and increase irrigation management efficiency. The Committee recommended to start setting aside funding, like $200,000 a year, into a sinking fund for the purpose of a grant match.
Discussion:
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3.D. GROUND WATER QUALITY SAMPLING
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3.E. Watersmart Grant Update
Rationale:
At last month's Board Meeting a quote from the Metos Company was approved for $38,075.34, which the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is paying $19,037.67. Staff submitted the grant assuming that the cost would be closer to $105,000, which is reflected in the FY2020 Budget. The BOR portion of the grant was for $52,500. Staff was wondering if the Committee would consider expanding this grant to other areas within the District? Staff would look at more remote reads for data loggers, weather stations, water flow meters and maybe Platte River cameras and level sensors.
Recommended Motion(s):
To allow staff to negotiate with the METOs Company for additional $60,000 of equipment to fulfill the WaterSmart Grant funding, upon the Bureau of Reclamation approval for the change of scope area. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4. SURFACE WATER PROGRAMS
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4.A. USGS STREAM FLOW GAUGING SITES
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5. OTHER
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5.A. GMDA Winter Conference
Rationale:
Committee and staff discussed how saltwater intrusion is influencing the aquifers in Florida. Complete report will be given at Board Meeting.
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5.B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
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