December 14, 2015 at 1:30 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.

 

Rationale:  The NACD Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 30 - February 3 in Reno, NV.  Any Director that wishes to attend needs to let Breunig know as soon as possible so travel arrangements can be made.

Rationale:  The NARD Legislative Conference is scheduled for January 26 and 27 in Lincoln.  We will once again have our Senator Dinner along with Lower Elkhorn, Lower Niobrara, Lewis and Clark and Upper Elkhorn NRDs on Tuesday evening.  Please let Jill know if you plan to attend so reservations can be made.

Rationale:  Attached find Excuse of Absence Requests from McDermott from the September Board Meeting and Birkel and McDermott from the October Board Meeting.

Rationale:  Attached to the Executive Committee Minutes find Bob Weaver's November Report.

Rationale:  We have not received Bob Weaver's monthly bill, but will attached it when we receive it.

Rationale:  Mountford will give an update on the self-insured NARD health insurance program and on the NARD retirement savings program.

Rationale:  With Clint Johannes's resignation that is effective December 31 a new director is needed to represent Sub-District 4.  The Matt Bailey, Chair of the VacancyCommittee will give a report (at board meeting) with the potential for selection of a replacement at the December Board Meeting.  Bailey reported that the committee will nominate Terry Sobota for the position (resume attached).

Rationale:  A Nominating Committee needs to be appointed for officer election in January.  All current officers are available for another term.  Chair Hannah appointed all past chairs act as the nominating committee with Hilger the Chair.  Past chairs include:Hilger, Johannes, Kavan, McDermott, Saalfeld, Sabatka.

Rationale:  Last fall we asked for legislation to allow NRD's to use electronic voting at board meetings.  Attached find the first draft for our proposal that was received from Dean Edson.

Rationale:  Jovan has been working with Richard Register to finalize an agreement.  We hope to have a final product by board meeting.  Jovan will review the agreement at board meeting (Closed Session will be needed).

Rationale:  The annual Director Retreat is scheduled for February 10.  Attached find a list of topics, are there other topics you would like to see added?

Rationale: 

Wanted to have discussion on two topics:

  Water Technician - We have funding to bring on a water technician in January

  Wanahoo SRA Superintendent - Need for person earlier in spring (April 1) and later into the fall (month of October)

Rationale:  The semi-annual interest payment for Loan #1606489 at Union Bank  is due on 12/15/2015 in the amount of $25,774.13. 

Rationale:  In the past we have handled all credit card processing on our own servers.  One of the drawbacks of this system is the annual security checks and requirements.  Prior to Thompson leaving he had contacted a firm that would handle this process for us on their servers.  Attached find a proposal from "Elavon" that would have them handling the processing and actually cost us less than what we are currently paying. The only upfront cost is purchase of a terminal (credit card machine) at a cost of $150.

Rationale:  There are no payments to make.

Rationale:  The O & M crew spent numerous days fencing Bellwood 3-B after the contractor finished the dam renovation. We have shut down the water hydrants at Czechland and Homestead Lakes. We broke up three old irrigation pads on the Wanahoo property and removed some old pipe sticking out of the ground. Also removed the Wanahoo docks and re-positioned the Homestead dock.

Rationale:  The District would like to purchase 1,000 trees from the Arbor Day Foundation for the Fremont Eco Fair (500), Conservation Sensation Day (300) and 200 for miscellaneous give away's. Last year the trees cost .92/tree. 

Rationale:  An updated Inter-local agreement between the NRD's and the NARD to purchase conservation trees through Bessey Nursery has been developed and extended to September 2018.  NARD will order and purchase trees from Bessey Nursery.  The Districts will then pay NARD for the trees they order.

Rationale: 

We currently have our used 15' mower advertised on Craig's List for $5,000.  We have had one interested party look at it.

The Districts options in purchasing a new mower are attached.

Rationale: 

Heimann is working on options for renting a tractor next summer. The State had contracts through Dinkel Implement and John Deere. The Dinkel Contract will not be renewed.  John Deere's contract expires in March 2016 and will be renewed primarily for NDOR and NE Game & Parks.  If there are enough tractors with John Deere the District could rent one. Platte Valley has also made an offer to rent a JD 8245R for $4,000.

Dinkel's rate was $11.80/hr  minimum 300 hours in the past

John Deere's rate was $13.25/hr  unsure if there's a minimum

Rationale:  The Wahoo Lions Club would like to do a fund raiser in which the shell of a car is placed on the ice of Lake Wanahoo. The Lions Club would sell chances to the general public, and the selling of advertising on the vehicle, as to the time of day that the vehicle would fall through the melting ice.  After the contest, the vehicle would then be removed from the Lake.  The Wahoo Lions Club, as a member of the Lions Clubs International, does have a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy. 

Rationale:  At the September 14th Board Meeting a motion was made to waive the normal bidding procedures and accept and approve ME Collins price for the Lake Wanahoo entry road paving project at an estimated cost of $169,333.70 with unit prices matching those as bid for the adjoining Saunders County Road 17 Project. Attached find an agreement with ME Collins.

Rationale: 

ME Collins has submitted a bill for work accomplished on the the Wanahoo SRA Entrance Road Project and is requesting payment of $136,919.14 of the total $169,275.70 project cost. Items needed to be finished are shouldering, grade and shaping ditches.  Attached find a detailed bill requesting payment.

Rationale: 

A letter was sent to Daren Sutton requesting payment for the hay taken from the Wanahoo property.  The request for payment was by November 23rd. No payment has been received.  Legal council will proceed as necessary to contact Mr. Sutton for collection of the hay.

It's estimated that Mr. Sutton harvested approximately 333 tons of hay, 555 bales.  His bid was $64.00/ton. He would owe the District approximately $21,312.

Rationale:  Attached is a spreadsheet showing Lake Wanahoo SRA revenue through October 31, 2015 for your information.

Rationale:  At the September Board Meeting staff was instructed to prepare an agreement with the City of Wahoo that would allow them to place a "Wahoo" sign on NRD property near the intersection of highways 77/92 and County Road 17.  Attached find a Commercial Lease Agreement.

Rationale:  The Erosion & Sediment Regulations are currently being updated.  We will approve the update in the near future.

Rationale:  Desirae TePoel started work with the District on November 30th.

Rationale:  We received a sponsorship request from the Nebraska Science Bowls, scheduled for February 2016. (see attachment). We have donated $250 to this event in past years. 

Rationale: 

- System water samples were taken, submitted to State and passed for November.

- All meters were read and bills sent out.

- Worked with Nelson Contracting to locate village water lines for new sewer lines.

- Met with Village board at their November meeting.

- Replaced 2 radio readers.

- Worked with M.E. Collins to install 15" casing below Wanahoo entrance and have marked both ends.

Rationale: 

- System water samples were taken, submitted to State and passed for November.

- All meters were read and bills sent out.

- Worked with Bob Byrket to complete Bruno system Sanitary survey (every 3 years)

- Replaced 1 radio reader

 

Rationale: 

- Contracting with USTI "asyst" for our new billing software.  Will transfer our data this month and hope to be up and running by January.

- Duke has the CASE 860 trencher ready for sale.  Recent sales of similar machines in the Midwest have been between $ 12,500 - $ 20,000.

- Once trencher has been sold, we will be ready to purchase Bobcat 5' trencher attachment for approx. $ 6,500.

- Met with Brainard Village board regarding potential connection to Bruno line.  This is one of two project options available to Brainard.  

 

Rationale: 

No new updates.

Rationale: 

No new updates.

Rationale: 

No new updates.

Rationale: 

The district received 5 well permit applications for approved new well variances from the Hydrologically Connected area.  The deadline for these permits is January 10th 2016.  The University well is really a remediation well for the Corps of Engineers and the clean up efforts at the Former Ordnance Plant.

Wells Permits Approved: #

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea
University of Nebraska	1	0	Remediation	Saunders	Todd Valley
Debi Gorley	1	65	Irrigation	Saunders	Todd Valley
Raymond Hemmer	1	127	Irrigation	Platte	Lower Newman Grove
Dean Hallgren	1	151	Irrigation	Platte	Newman Grove
Larry Kurtenbach	1	135	Irrigation	Madison	Upper Newman Grove
James L Mick	1	78.5	Irrigation	Butler	Bellwood

 

 

 

 

The total number of approved permits for 2015 is 43
Location of Approved Well Permits for 2015:  Correct as of 12/2/2015

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler	2	2	1	0	0	0	5
Colfax	1	3	1	0	0	0	5
Dodge	3	3	0	0	0	0	6
Boone	1	2	0	0	0	0	3
Madison	1	0	0	0	0	0	1
Platte	6	2	1	0	0	0	9
Saunders	6	3	0	1	0	4	14
Total	20	15	3	1	0	4	43

Rationale:  AM JJ Investments LLC has submitted a well permit application for a new supplemental well in the SE 1/4 SE 1/4 of Section 1-T17N-R3E Colfax County, Schuyler Subarea. The 68 acre field is currently gravity irrigated from well G-057647. They will be converting to pivot irrigation and will have two center pivots due to the odd size of the field. and instead of burying pipe, they would like to drill a new well so each pivot has its own well. The new well will irrigate 20 of the 68 certified irrigated acres.

Rationale:  Dean Novak has submitted an application for a new supplemental well in the SW 1/4 NW 1/4 of Section 9-T17N-R4E, Colfax County, Schuyler Subarea. The well will irrigate 44 certified irrigated acres previously irrigated by well G-063688 (located in the NW 1/4 SW 1/4 of the same section). The land was recently purchased, and Mr. Novak would like his own well on the property.

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

SQS #1  (Butler-Saunders)

All 30 of the irrigation well sites have been visited by staff and a water level was measured in 28 of these wells.  25 of these sites have a flow meter; the other five wells were not used in 2015.

 

SQS #2 (Platte-Colfax)

Three informational classes have been set.  Each of these classes will be held at Ag Park, Columbus:

1. Thursday, January 14, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.  (prior to afternoon certification class)
2. Thursday, February 11, 2016, at 1:30 p.m.
3. Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at 3:00 p.m.  (prior to evening certification class)

Attendance by SQS #2 producers is required.

 

Rationale: 

Several representatives from area companies have been asked to attend the Water Committee to describe their program on flow meter maintenance.

LPNNRD staff feel that we could do this internally at a comparable cost, since our District's primary focus will be on compliance of water allocations, not just maintenance.

Doug Jensen and Jim Panek from McCrometer Great Plains; Mark Vanosdall from Tri-City meters; and Tyler Mensik from an irrigation equipment dealership were in attendance.  Questions were directly to Tri-City Meters and McCrometer representatives.

The Water Committee will look at this further before requesting bids.  Currently only the 30 meters in the Butler - Saunders SQS would be inline for any maintenance program.

--------------------------------------------------------- 

Discussion then moved to allowing the use of mag-meters as part of the District Approved Flow Meters.  In 2014 when flow meters were first reviewed, little information was available on mag-meters.

Rationale: 

The last Water Banking meeting for the LPRBC was held at the Community College in Columbus NE on Tuesday November 17, 2015.  

• The board for ULNRD does not agree with the 'a Basin Plan' telling them how to develop excess water.
• The accounting for the Loup Hydropower is a concern to both the Loup and Platte sub-basins.  One sub-basin would benefit, while the other sub-basin will just be that much closer to being declared 'Fully Appropriated'. 
• Hesitation on whether or not the 'a Basin Plan' should recommend a 5 year cap on further development. The Lower Loup and Lower Elkhorn NRD's have not issued new irrigated acres for the past several years.

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The next technical committee meeting for the LPRBC is scheduled for Ord at the LLNRD on December 9, 2015.

 

Rationale: 

We have received two invoices from Olsson Associates for services rendered on our V-IMP.  The first invoice is for a total of $4,502.03 and the second invoice is for $491.39 for a total of $4,993.42.

There is $22,527.48 left on this contract from the original amount of $174,700.

Rationale: 

A total of 325 kits have been mailed out, while just one kit remains outstanding (Mark Horejsi).  Another producer called on December 2nd for a sample kit.  The results for 320 samples have been received and mailed to producers.

 

Rationale: 

 

2015 is the thirteenth year for this Phase 2 Area.  Earlier this year this area was reduced from 32 sections to 21 sections - to be in compliance with Section G Ground Water Quality Management Area - Phase Two Rule 1 Phase Two Criteria.

 

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2004	0 to 25 ppm	46.3% (44 of 95)	8.4% (8 of 95)	45.3% (43 of 95)
2005	0 to 25 ppm	47% (44 of 94)	15% (14 of 94)	38% (36 of 94)
2006	0 to 24 ppm	41% (29 of 71)	14% (10 of 71)	45% (32 of 71)
2007	0 to 31 ppm	48% (48 of 100)	9% (9 of 100)	43% (43 of 100)
2008	0 to 28 ppm	53.75% (43 of 80)	7.5% (6 of 80)	38.75% (31 of 80)
2009	0 to 22 ppm	45.5% (41 of 90)	15.5% (14 of 90)	39% (35 of 90)
2010	0 to 35.7 ppm	48.65% (54 of 111)	11.71% (13 of 111)	39.64% (44 of 111)
2011	0 to 26.6 ppm	51% (56 of 110)	6% (7 of 110)	43% (47 of 110)
2012	0 to 28.9 ppm	57% (61 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	34% (36 of 107)
2013	0 to 25.8 ppm	50% (53 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	41% (44 of 107)
2014	0 to 22.3 ppm	51% (55 of 108)	13% (14 of 108)	36% (39 of 108)
2015	0 to 32.3 ppm	43.5% (30 of 69)	7.2% (5 of 69)	49.3% (34 of 69)

 

Rationale: 

2015 is the twelfth year of this Phase 2 Area.  The 55 sections of this area went into a Phase 3 Area to be in compliance with Section H Ground Water Quality Management Area - Phase Three Rule 1 Phase Three Criteria, effective September 1, 2015.  

 

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2004	0 to 47 ppm	30% (42 of 139)	10% (14 of 139)	60% (83 of 139)
2005	0 to 120 ppm	31.3% (74 of 236)	10.2% (24 of 236)	58.5% (138 of 236)
2006	0 to 53 ppm	28% (50 of 181)	14% (26 of 181)	58% (105 of 181)
2007	0 to 99 ppm	32% (75 of 231)	10% (22 of 231)	58% (134 of 227)
2008	0 to 46 ppm	28% (53 of 190)	12% (23 of 190)	60% (114 of 190)
2009	0 to 57 ppm	33% (72 of 216)	6% (13 of 216)	61% (131 of 216)
2010	0 to 57.5 ppm	31% (70 of 229)	7% (15 of 229)	62% (142 of 229)
2011	0 to 65.8 ppm	28% (67 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	63% (153 of 241)
2012	0 to 52.6 ppm	29% (70 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	62% (150 of 241)
2013	0 to 94.0 ppm	25% (63 of 252)	9% (23 of 252)	66% (166 of 252)
2014	0 to 101.0 ppm	27% (68 of 251)	9% (22 of 251)	64% (161 of 251)
2015	0 to 53.3 ppm	22.31% (52 of 233)	12.45% (29 of 233)	65.24% (152 of 233)

Also on September 1, 2015, the ten sections immediately north of this area became a Phase 2 Area.  These sections are:  Township 18 North, Range 2 East, sections 31 to 36; Township 18 North, Range 3 East, sections 31 to 34.  Though reports for the 2015 crop year aren’t required these producers will need to have soil samples prior to their 2016 corn crop.  The six water samples collected in November were from this new Phase 2 area.

Rationale: 

 Three on-line test requests were received in November.  One of these has completed the test and a certification card was sent.

 

Cert. Number	Cert. Date	Name	Re-Cert.	Comments
6527	11/10/15	Marian Meduna	No	First-timer

 

 

 

 

Staff met with UNL County Extension Educators on November 23^rd to work out the class schedule for 2016.  Michael Rethwisch, UNL Extension Educator for Butler County, has health issues and will be likely unable to help with classes in 2016.  The number of producers to certify in 2016 will be approximately 300. 

[class schedule is attachment]

Rationale: 

Landowner Brach Johnson wants clarification on 'No action taken' at the last Board meeting on November 9th on his request for getting his property of 32.8 acres in the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 7, T18N, R2E Colfax County, to be listed as certified irrigated acres (please see attached document).  This is in the Platte - Colfax SQS subarea.  

The acres in question were granted irrigation permission in 2010 (at the time this area was open to additional irrigated acres).  The land was and remains in CRP.  The acres were originally certified along with the adjoining 120 acres (to complete the circle), however no crop was ever planted and the tract was never irrigated.  Since the land was not irrigated within two years of approval the acres were de-certified. Since this tract is in the SQS we would leave ourselves open to criticism (and potential legal action) if we would allow this tract to be irrigated when it has no irrigated history.  Jovan Lausterer agrees that we should not allow this tract to be irrigated and related similar circumstances in the Lower Elkhorn NRD where the district court upheld that LENRD's identical definition was legal and appropriate.

Mr. Johnson is requesting a formal vote from the Board on whether this ground is listed as certified irrigated acres or not.

 

Rationale: 

No new updates.

 

Rationale: 

No new updates

Rationale: 

One new well has been reviewed and approved by Gottschalk for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

 

Rationale: 

 Five wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Kevin Ziegenbein	Irrigation	$650.69	Saunders
Knuth Trust	2 x Domestic	$309.00	Saunders
Frontier Coop	2 x irrigation	$1,184.35	Colfax

Rationale: 

Katie Cameron (ENWRA coordinator) is requested we send our planned flight lines for the Water Sustainability Fund (WSF) application to the FYRA contractor.  We are interested in flying both SQS areas with the Platte - Colfax SQS having a higher priority.  This application will be turned in this December.

Katie is also working on updating the ENWRA Long Range Plan, which was little changed at the last ENWRA meeting held on November 10, 2015.

 

Rationale: 

During the development of the Lower Platte River Voluntary Basin-wide Management Plan, several discussions amongst the seven NRDs (Coalition) have focused on mitigating drought, or very low streamflow conditions, in the Lower Platte River to meet the needs of public water supplies for over half of Nebraska’s population and instream flow rights. If groundwater or surface water were able to be stored in upstream portions of the Basin and retimed to meet these shortages, the Coalition then questioned how much of that water released into the river would actually make it to the lower reach of the Platte River and past the streamflow gage at Louisville.

One particular area of interest for potential streamflow loses in the Platte River is between approximately Fremont and the confluence with the Elkhorn River.  See attached proposal.

A previous study done by Lower Platte North NRD in the early 1990's (Sandpit Lever Recorder Study) indicated a connection between the Platte River and ground water, but the study named above should provide much more information about this hydrologic connection.

 

Rationale: 

Attached is more information on the Tile Drain Study proposed by USGS.  They will seek a WSF grant to help pay for this project.  The question on the location and number of tile drains in our district was a concern stated during our Stakeholders Meeting for our V-IMP.

USGS gave a presentation on details on the quantity and quality objectives of the study to the Water Committee.  After much discussion, no motion was made to approve moving ahead with this project.  Committee members would reconsider this study in future years when fewer study applications are being pursued.  

Rationale: 

Staff completed the collection of the Fall GWEL readings in November.  As anticipated, most of these fall readings were up in comparison to Fall 2014.

[Comparison table is attachment]

Rationale: 

The latest public availability meeting was held by the Corps of Engineers on November 18, 2015 at the Yutan VFW hall in Yutan NE.  Ed Louis is the new Project Manager for this site.  He has worked on this project before so is really returning to familiar ground.  

• Presentation was given on the 2014 Containment Evaluation to keep the contaminate plumes in check (see attached map).
• The new containment well EW-18 is in the process of being drilled and will use UV light to treat the RDX (an explosive compound) at the source.
• The COE plans to drill at least 3 test holes deep into the Omadi Sandstone (part of the Dakota formation) to see if contaminates have entered the bedrock.  We may be able to also obtain regular water quality parameters at these depths, since this is of recent interest to the ENWRA NRD's.

Rationale:  USGS has sent a joint funding agreement to the LPNNRD for their continued gauging sites on Wahoo and Shell Creeks and the continuous reading ground water monitoring site south of Mead.   The agreement has the LPNNRD share at $16,490 and this has already been listed as an item in the Water Programs budget.  The agreement runs from October 1, 2015 to September 31, 2016.

Rationale: 

Staff is busy working out the details for the upcoming GMDA conference in Sacramento CA on January 5-8, 2016.

Current registration stands at ~80.

 

Rationale: 

Arnie Stuthman again addressed the Water Committee about 45 acres he wants to irrigate in the Platte - Colfax SQS area.  He purchased a pivot and buried underground pipe from an existing well to the property and then mailed in his request to the LPNNRD in early 2013 for additional irrigated acres.  His original request was lost in the mail. 

 

 

Rationale:  Gottschalk presented the attached SWCP summary.

Rationale:  None

Rationale: 

14-B-57 Celestine Chapek Basins w/Tile $ 5,471.74

14-S-62 Glenn & Eileen Chvatal Terraces/Tile $ 1,352.80

14-S-63 Merlin Fick Terraces/Tile $ 1,891.48

Cottonwood John Sousek Terraces/Tile $ 4,712.00

  $ 13,428.02

After Committee Meeting a request for payment for James Fehringer 14-P-40 was received in the amount of $12,500.  Matching funds of $12,500 will also be requested from Shell Creek Grant. A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to authorize $12,500 payment to James Fehringer for water sediment basins with tile. (Total project cost $54,435.30) 

Rationale:  NONE

Rationale:  NONE

Rationale:  NONE

Rationale:  NONE

Rationale: 

PAYMENTS:

James Smaus 3 Contracts:

  1) 20-15-5 $ 3,161.24 (contract work) $ 3,630.00 (Lands for Cons. 16.5 ac.)

  2 21-15-5 $ 3,025.77 (contract work) $ 4,290.00 (Lands for Cons. 19.5 ac.)

  3) 8-15-5 $ 2 ,417.26 (contract work) $ 1,870.00 (Lands for Cons. 8.5 ac)

  $ 8,604.27 $ 9,790.00

Rationale:  For the past three years, we have been using the 2012 conservation practice unit price docket when NRCS no longer used or updated the docket for their use.  The NRD's have since searched for a replacement method that NDNR would except for using state conservation funds with little progress.  Earlier this year,  NRCS has established unit prices for various conservation practice extents for NRD use which is based on federal EQIP practice payments to landowners.  These unit prices seem reasonable and allows us to use updated information. The NDNR endorses use of NRCS's EQIP price list for their conservation program funds allocated for NRD use. The committee is asked to review and approve the attached NRCS conservation practice price list for the 2016 program year.  

Rationale: 

We have received a bill from Mainelli Wagner & Associates for work on the Shell Creek Channel Stabilization Road 10 - Road H

Total Contract Price $25,000

County Responsibility $10,000 Billed to Date $6,756.93

NRD Responsibility $15,000 Billed to Date $6,456.08 Amount Due $3,375.00

 

Mainelli Wagher & Associates Submitted a bill for Shell Creek Channel Stabilization Three Sites

Site 1 - East of Road 10- H Total Contract $21,600 Amount Due $11,376.65

Site 2 - Road 6 - I Total Contract $12,940 Amount Due $7,562.00

Site 3 - Raod 12 - Hwy 30 Total Contract $14,500 Amount Due $8,003.76

  Total Due $26,942.38

Rationale: 

Attached are two cover crop payments that are ready for committee approval.  These will be 100% reimbursed from NET grant funds.  

Also attached is a newspaper article about pictures of new Watershed signs (designed by school kids) that were installed.  The payment for the signs was approved last month. 

After Committee Meeting a request for payment for James Fehringer was received in the amount of $12,500.  A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to authorize $12,500 payment to James Fehringer. 

 

Rationale:  Eric Smith, Platte County NRCS Resource Conservationist is organizing a Soil Health, Conservation Clinic to be held January 29, 2016, at Ag Park, Columbus.  He has asked if LPNNRD will consider being one of the event sponsors.  Other potential sponsors are being contacted and details worked in,  but as a sponsor, he would like up to a $500 contribution to help offset expenses.  UNL Extension has committed $500 which will be toward the building rent and other expenses.  A lunch will be provided as part of the participants registration fee.  The primary speaker will be Gabe Brown from Bismark North Dakota, who is a well known advocate of the benefits of Soil Health.  Other speaker topics may include cover crops and no-till.   If the committee/board commits us as a sponsor, we could off set much of our contribution from our approved NET grant funds that are earmarked for education activities.   

Rationale:  Jeff Henson, JEO,  was present to give an update of their progress with the Wahoo Creek Water Quality Plan Phase I as attached.  The Land Use and Condition Assessment and Stream Stability and Ecological Assessment have been completed.   Remaining tasks includes identifying and establishing Stream Monitoring Reference Sites  based on work to be completed in Phase II. 

Rationale:  We have been notified by NDEQ that our EPA 319 grant application for the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan - Phase II has been accepted and recommended to be funded in the amount of $168,215 (see attached letter).  The next step will be to complete a Project Implementation Plan (PIP) with NDEQ.   We will learn in February, 2016,  if our accompanying Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant in the amount of $106,000 will be recommended for funding.  Also attached is our September NET Grant application which details our objectives for the Phase II effort. 

Rationale:  Attached is the November LPRCA Update.

Rationale:  No new information to report.

Rationale: 

 The Army COE's contractor continues to work on landowner concerns (drainage, wet areas).  

Attached is a summary of our total contributions (both cash and in-kind) to the Schuyler 205 Shell Creek Levee study and construction as October 16, 2015.  Since 2005, LPNNRD contributed $319,698.08 cash and $36,322.48 in-kind ($356,020.56 total) during the study and design phase and $250,000 cash and $111,086.24 in-kind during the construction phase ($361,086.24 total).

For all project phases, LPNNRD has contributed $569,698.08 cash and $147,408.72 in in-kind services for a grand total of $717,106.80.  In addition, we have $125,000 in the FY 2016 budget for a cost-share payment to Schuyler toward the completed Shell Creek levee construction.  

Rationale:  No new information to report.

Rationale:  Jeff Henson, JEO, was present and gave an update on progress made on the remaining HMP project tasks under contract which are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.  Our Hazard Mitigation Plan update has been completed and accepted by FEMA.  JEO's A written report is also attached. 

Rationale: 

Segment 4B

We are still waiting on the Contractor to fix the gates and finish the fencing, before we can deem the project complete. 

Segment 5

The Contractor has the following items to complete:

  1. Install Gates

  2. Big Sandy Modification

Camp Ashland

The fuse plug has been reinstalled with no notch.  COE will need to order a modification next Spring to install the notch for the Salt Creek flows.

Rationale: 

Ann Crockett/Kay Jurgens Lands for Conservation $11,000.00  (50 acres)

Conservation work $1,361.22 (5% - with EQIP)

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.