January 30, 2020 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  Attached is the 2020 DNR Conservation Practice Cost Docket.  Elliott has been asked by field office staff about moving ahead with 2020 SWCP application estimates.  
Attached is the 2019 SWCP Policy for review/update for 2020.  Staff plan on getting input from NRCS field office personnel as well and would like to have updated policy for approval at the March Board meeting.  Note, the 2020 LFC guidelines have been added to existing policy.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  George Cejka - Lands for Conservation (LFC) payment.  5 acres * $190/acre = $950 total payment.

Rationale:  Bill Bos reported on upcoming projects that he is promoting  in the watershed. 

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  Mark Mainelli, Mainelli/Wagner, was present to discuss the bench/levee project that is planned alongside the UP Railroad Bridge replacement that is moving forward to be replaced this coming summer.  Colfax County will move forward with final designs for channel improvements and benching needed north and south of the bridge replacement. LPNNRD has budgeted funds in anticipation of being a financial partner on the channel/benching improvements.  As landowner discussions, final plans and cost estimates are completed, Colfax county will move forward with completing necessary easements, permits and contractor bid packages.  It is anticipated that segments of this project work can move forward this fiscal year. 

Rationale:  Janel Kaufman, FYRA, has submitted the completed draft Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan to the Nebraska NRCS.  The compiled document includes the main body and all Appendices, which can be reviewed at the following link:  https://fyraengineering-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/p/jkaufman/EjvH82G1R_9AvSFrzYuOmFwB-HdZUEg3tG55cbx0PYANXQ?e=CM1acb
Attached is FYRA's 1/27/20 invoice totaling $14,932.50 for completed contract work. After this payment, a maxium of $25,784.11 will remain under contract.
We had a conference call with the Nebraska NRCS on January 22, to discuss the next steps and timelines for plan review and approval.  While we are still working with Weston on establishing a Dam Breach overlay and NRCS is still investigating archeological findings at Dam Site 83, the draft plan has been forwarded to the NRCS in Little Rock Arkansas for review.  It is anticipated that the plan will receive NRCS approval by July, 2020. 

In anticipation of possibly receiving federal construction funds later this year to build a portion of  the lower eight structures (Sites 55, 66, 77, 82, 83, 84, 85 & 86), we need to begin discussing establishment of a priority ranking of these eight sites by this summer. FYRA's suggested first five sites are: 1. Site 77; 2. Site 84; 3. Site 55; 4. Site 85; and Site 66 as an alternate (FYRA's structural data and various structure cost estimates are attached). Olsson is also reviewing the eight sites for priority suggestions. This will be a topic presented and discussed at the LPNNRD Director Retreat on February 19. 

 

Rationale:  On January 17, representatives from NDEE, NRCS, UNL Extension and LPNNRD participated in a conference call to plan the upcoming public meeting at St. Johns School Gym in Weston, scheduled for  February 25, 2020. The pubic meeting is to promote certain water quality land treatment practices in sub-basins in the Wahoo Creek Watershed.  Over the past seven years, we have been targeting special federal EQIP funding (Water Quality Initiative) from NRCS and grant funding from NDEE and NET for landowner water quality practices and programs.  Initially, reducing sediment loads, nitrogen and phosphorus were primary focuses along with E-coli.  NRCS and NDEE now wish to promote practices to reduce E-coli and atrazine in the priortiy Whaoo Creek sub-watersheds North Fork Wahoo Creek, Dunlop Creek and Miller Branch. 

Rationale:  Attached is an $2,451.05 Olsson January 16, 2020, invoice and progress report for contract work completed on Wahoo Creek Dam Sites 26a, 26b. and 27.  After this payment, $1,807,405.13 will remain under our $1,999,978 contract. Our hope is that full design activities can begin this spring after the Wahoo Creek Plan is at or near approval. 

Rationale:  As a requirement for completion of the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan, we have Dam Breach Overlay Districts approved by Saunders County and City of Wahoo.  We have met with the Village of Weston to discuss this requirement and a public informational meeting on establishing an overlay district for the village will occur at the Weston fire hall at 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 3, 2020.  After this, Weston zoning will meet on the matter on February 19th with an anticipated pubic hearing to approve the overlay district on Monday, March 2, 2020. 

Rationale:  LPNNRD is moving forward with the second round of multi-jurisdictional meetings for updating our Hazard Mitigation Plan.  We had tremendous participation during the first round of meetings so we are expecting a large turnout again.  The first of the second round of meetings will be held 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at the David City Library.  The second meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m.,Thursday, February 13, at the Lake Wanahoo Education Building.  A letter sent to participating entities is attached.

Attached is a $25,431.10 JEO invoice for completed HMP contract work.  Of this amount, FEMA/NEMA will reimburse us 75% of the total and Fremont and Schuyler will reimburse us for their 25% share of their flood risk assessments. 

Rationale:  John Dorcey will be at Projects Committee to discuss an EQIP project concern he has with a neighbor; Mr. Dorcey paid $1,680.00 to extend an 8" underground tile outlet through a portion of his property.  The tile outlet was part of a terrace system designed by NRCS under an EQIP contract.
Staff informed Mr. Dorcey that the standing NRD policy does not allow for any cost-share assistance on completed projects without prior approval.
After listening to Mr. Dorcey and considering all aspects of the situation the committee decided to not make any formal decision until further NRCS review..