February 10, 2020 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:  Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda?

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  Below email was received from Jovan on Tuesday January 28th and Dam or Water Reservoir Amendment from LARM:

All,
 
See below confirming that we are still covered for defense in this case but ultimately not an award of damages.  Most importantly is the attached endorsement which confirms you have coverage for dam and water reservoir related claims. 
 
As a reminder, this is the same position that LARM took previously in the case.  I will now communicate with your attorney to see if he is ready to push through with the next round of depositions given that LARM will be picking up his bill. 
 
Let me know if you have questions or concerns of any kind.  Thank you.
 
Jovan W. Lausterer
 
From: John Baum <jbaum@icapiowa.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 7:59 AM
To: 'SBRUCKNER@FraserStryker.com' <SBRUCKNER@FraserStryker.com>; Jovan Lausterer <jlaus@wahoolaw.com>
Subject: LARL-9854A1 Stoeber vs. Lower Platte North NRD
 
Steve and Jovan,
 
I apologize for the delay in completing the additional coverage review into this pending matter.  The good news is the result...there is coverage and a duty to defend the negligence count. However, there still is no coverage for any award of damages for the inverse condemnation count.  I will send a revised reservation of rights letter addressing this development.
 
Please contact me directly if any questions.
 
John P. Baum
Litigation Claims Manager| League Association of Risk Management Pool
5701 Greendale Road | Johnston, IA 50131 |  www.icapiowa.com
(T) 515-419-9885| john.baum@yorkrisk.com
 

Rationale:  The Director Retreat will be held Wednesday, February 19th at the Lake Wanahoo Education Building. 

Rationale:  The NARD Annual Washington DC Conference is being held March 14 - 18, 2020 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Washington D.C. Convention Center.  Attached find registration details.

Rationale:  Attached find Mountford's NRD/NARD Employee Benefits Report and Water Strategies Monthly Report.

Rationale:  Attached find Russell Oaklund's report from the GMDA Meeting held in Fort Lauderdale.

Rationale:  Mike Sotak of FYRA Engineering will be present to give an update on Wanahoo Stilling Basin.

Rationale:  Just a reminder of the 2020 Election Deadlines:

All incumbents must file by February 18, 2020
All other candidate must file by March 2, 2020

Attached find a listing of candidates that have filed.

Rationale:  Request for proposals for auctioneers were advertised in area newspapers on January 16, 23 and 30.  Proposals are due by 9:00 a.m on Friday, January 31st.  

A sub-committee (Birkel, Hilger, Pollard, Saalfeld and Ruzicka) will review and interview potential companies and bring a recommendation to the Board. 

Rationale:  Discussion took place on whether the District needs to advertise Committee and Board Meetings in the newspaper as a public notice.  Statute states we can advertise on our website only. 

Rationale:  Staff is in the process of obtaining bids for a new security system for the NRD Office. 

Rationale:  Mountford and NRCS Personnel conducted interviews on Wednesday, January 15th.  Ashley Keeler was hired to fill the vacant position at the Dodge County NRCS office.  Her starting date will Wednesday, February 5th. 

Rationale:  Grant Nuttelman reviewed the December Financial Statements with the Executive Committee. 

Rationale:  Attached find Gottschalk's time and expense sheets.

Rationale:  We do not have any unfinished business.

Rationale:  Nothing to report.

Rationale:  The O & M crew power sawed a bunch of Cedar and Pine trees at Czechland Lake as well as burned a large tree pile. Burned tree piles at Lake Wanahoo. Routine maintenance on equipment and moving snow.

Rationale:  Rosendahl Farms Seed & Feed sent in a grass drill revenue report and check for $453.00. This information is for the second half of 2019. The District receives one half the revenue.

Rationale:  After the Corps of Engineers reviewed the Bid Proposal protest they awarded the bid to the original low bidder, Young's General Contracting at $9.199 M. Young's will mobilize the week of February 3. The contract is for 270 days which takes us to late July early August.
A pre-construction meeting and site showing took place on Tuesday, January 21. Priority areas to start are 1) Flood way area inside the Fuse Plug Levee at Camp Ashland, 2) Levee tie in to high ground at Thomas Lakes, 3) partially repaired breach just north of Co. Rd F.
Lincoln Water Systems currently have a contractor in this area to recover their 36" raw water line. There was/is some concern as to whether two contractors can work in the area at the same time.
All details will be handled between the COE and the Contractor, NRD staff will assist in anyway we can.

Rationale:  A couple of weeks ago Gana Excavating stock piled fill material for the two breach holes on the Brand and Diers properties. A new corrugated pipe replaced an old one and the breach is filled on the Brand property. They are adding fly ash to the fill material to help with the moisture content. They have run out of fill material and the borrow site is too wet. They hope to resume next week depending on the weather. Construction slowed early on because of the very cold temperatures and snow.
On the remaining Rawhide Ditch damage JEO is planning to have final plans and specifications ready for authorization by our February 10th board meeting. They will then advertise and hold the bid letting. If we receive an appropriate bid we will authorize a contract at the March 9th board meeting.

Rationale:  Mike Sotak of FYRA Engineering will be present to give an update.

Rationale:  We are waiting to have a meeting with Corps of Engineers personnel to discuss any discrepancies. 

Rationale:  Clear Creek Drainage District is requesting to abandon the tail end of Ditch 1 which runs in the area of Thomas Lakes and empties in to the Platte River through gate valve culverts in the levee. This segment of ditch was severely damaged by the March 2019 flooding in which Clear Creek Drainage District repaired. They do not receive any local funding from the area to take care of it and they would like LPNNRD to take it over. We would recommend they keep it and we develop an inter local agreement to assist in the O & M.

See attached four aerial photos of the area from 1999 to present.

Rationale:  Staff is recommending purchasing a new 3/4 ton extended cab pickup. The existing 2007 Dodge 3/4 ton now has a snow blade mounted on it and will be used on the Lake Wanahoo grounds. We would sell our 2010 Chevy Crew Cab.
Currently on the State of Nebraska contracts list is a Chevy 3/4 ton Extended Cab 4 X 4 pickup for $30,730 and a Ford F-250 3/4 ton Extended Cab 4 X 4 for $31,349.
We have budgeted $34,000. (Motion)

Rationale:  We would like to amend our District Park Regulations for two purposes.
We receive questions from the public as to whether they can target practice or sight in a firearm on our public hunting areas at our recreation sites.
Staff recommends amending our regulations stating that "target practice and/or sighting in firearms is prohibited" on any of our recreation areas.
Reason being, we don't have designated areas on any area for this practice which leads to safety concerns for the public and neighbors. (Motion)

We are asked by a few ice fishermen every year if they can use a motorized vehicle to pull their equipment on to the ice and access our lakes. Staff recommends that a motorized vehicle such as a "Snow Dog" (see photo) or equivalent can be used by a handicapped individual or an individual with a Medical release form from a doctor to access an NRD lake for the purpose of ice fishing. We are not allowing ATV's or UTV's. Individuals would have to apply for this permission and receive a permit from the NRD office.

Rationale:  Nothing new to report.

Rationale:  As of 1/29/2020, the District has collected $10,482.50 in the month of January. This brings the year to date total to $14,952.50.

The guard shack was staffed the weekend of 1/25-26 generating a total of $1056.68.

Rationale:  Elbert Traylor would like to discuss the possibility of installing a dog training facility on the Lake Wanahoo property. 

Rationale:  Staff has been seeking bids for the construction and installation of the potential primitive cabins. There is a potential of Board discussion and possible approval at the February 10th Board Meeting.

Rationale:  The current KTIC ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd promote the guest speakers and famers panel at the February 26th class and will run through February 26th. The ads are attached. 

Rationale:  Why track analytics? Analytics is a great way to see what people are viewing on our website. By looking at the data from our website and keeping an eye on specific pages like the Lake Wanahoo page, Czechland Lake, Contact and Downloads pages, we can continue to provide updated important information to the District.
In mid-September we started tracking analytics on our website and filtered out all of the office computers’ IP addresses to achieve a better reading on our analytics.
The traffic channels help us to see how people are finding our website. The direct URL is always going to be towards the top of the list, but it is also good to look at where other users are coming from - whether it is from a different website or search engine (referral column) or through our social media platforms.

An update on analytics for our website and social media pages through January 28th. 

Website Data
Dates	Users	Sessions	Traffic Channel 1	Traffic Channel 2	Traffic Channel 3	Traffic Channel 4	Top Page	Views	Devices	Percent
October 1-30	710	904	Organic  58.4%	Direct  25%	Referral  13.3%	Social  3.3%	Home	543	Desktop	58.73%
							Lake Wanahoo	355	Mobile	36.48%
							Staff	121	Tablet	4.79%
							Czechland Lake	100
							Contact	95
November 1-30	535	637	Organic 62.4%	Direct 21.5%	Referral  14.1%	Social 2%	Home	424	Desktop	51.3%
							Lake Wanahoo	266	Mobile	42.5%
							Downloads	97	Tablet	6.10%
							Staff	93
							Contacts	77
December 1-31	640	797	Organic 54.1%	Direct 29.3%	Referral 12%	Social 4.6%	Home	596	Desktop	64.12%
							Lake Wanahoo	259	Mobile	30.73%
							Downloads	127	Tablet	5.15%
							Staff	107
							Contact	107
January 1-31	942	1,297	Organic 57.7%	Direct 22.4%	Referral 16.5%	Social 15.5%	Home	828	Desktop	63.42%
							Lake Wanahoo	699	Mobile	32.3%
							Downloads	172	Tablet	4.28%
							Staff	156
							Contact	106

 

Facebook Data
Date/Post	Total Views/Impressions	Total Reach	Total Engaged Users	Followers
October 2019	9446	6772	1273	873
Top Post: Wanahoo Ed Building Available	6732	4,551	1150
Top Post: Shared picture from Pork Chop Island	538	434	36
Top Post: Area Land Judging NARD article	529	407	24
November 2019	5341	5174	324	885
Top Post: Wahoo Public Survival Club Presentation	1076	1018	145
Top Post: Progress on Clear Creek Levee	540	531	40
Top Post: Daryl presentation-East Butler	394	380	41
December 2019	7148	6833	522	895
Top Post: NRD/NRCS continuing collaboration	876
Top Post: LPNNRD accepting I&E/receptionist applications	564
Top Post: John Miyoshi joins NCF board or directors	391
January 2020	4135	3990	112	938
Top Post: NWS-Valley Spring Flood Outlook	521	525	17
Top Post: Tree Benefits/Order trees	374	366	10
Top Post: Nitrogen Certification Classes scheduled	361	350	10

 

Twitter Data
Date/Post	Impressions  (# of times users saw tweet)	Engagements  (# of times users interacted)	Followers
October 2019	2,643		300
Top Post: order trees	507	5
Top Post: image from Wanahoo/nature quote	248	8
Top Post: PCI shared picture	199	4
November 2019	4,931	104	302
Top Post: Tree Planting Program	1355	26
Top Post: Progress on Clear Creek Levee	390	24
Top Post: Daryl Presentation- East Butler	244	16
December 2019	8709		303
Top Post: UNL Stress webinar	921	8
Top Post: World Soil Day	702	11
Top Post: 2020 nitrogen certification classes	666	7
January 2020	7669	83	308
Top Post: NWS 2020 Spring Flood Outlook	1428	12
Top Post: Tree orders	1182	15
Top Post: Prescribed fire training workshops	1090	12

Rationale: 

Date	School/Group	Grade/Age	# of students	Topic	Staff
Tuesday, Jan 14	Wahoo Public	Middle School	75	Don’t Lose Ground - soil activity	Sabatka/Elliot
Thursday, Jan 23	Survival Club (WPS)	8th	18	Fishing with John Miyoshi	Gottschalk/Nelson
Friday, Jan 24	Wahoo Public	4th grade	86	Every Kid Outdoors	Gottschalk/Nelson

Rationale:  Please welcome Kara Nelson as the LPNNRD’s new Information and Education Assistant and Receptionist. She started on January 21^st

Rationale:  Normal monthly testing completed, meters were read 1/29, bills will go out 1/31.

Rationale:  The Nebraska Rural Water Association (NeRWA) has completed the rate study for the Bruno RWD.  Attached is a brief breakdown of NeRWA's rate assessment and recommendation for the Bruno line.  NeRWA final rate projection was for a 38% rate increase (accounting for depreciation) on the Bruno line.  That is a substantial increase that should not be assessed at one time.  It is the recommendation of the RWD to start with a 13% increase (applying to usage and monthly service fee) and apply a multi-year step increase, similar to the Colon RWD.
Elliott was contacted by the Dept. of Health and Human services (DHHS) in regards to our lead and copper testing for the Bruno RWD.  Currently, we do not test the Bruno system for lead and copper.  DHHS claims that we "fell through the cracks" but do indeed need to test to conform to Nebraska Public Water System Title 179 regulations.  This will be an unexpected added expense to the Bruno sampling budget.  Total lab fees will be $560.00 for the first year.  Then, assuming no excessive levels requiring further testing, the routine will mirror Colon's lead and copper schedule and we will sample for lead and copper every three years.

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.  

Rationale: 

No permits have been approved in 2020.

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.  

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.
 

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)
 

Rationale: 

2020 is the eighteenth year for this Phase 2 Area. 

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% (31 of 72)	8% (6 of 72)	49% (35 of 72)
2016	0 to 35.1 ppm	34% (25 of 74)	11% (8 of 74)	55% (41 of 74)
2017	0 to 23.5 ppm	36% (27 of 74)	15% (11 of 74)	49% (36 of 74)
2018	0 to 30.9 ppm	40% (25 of 63)	11% (7 of 63)	49% (31 of 63)
2019	0 to 24.5 ppm	48% (22 of 46)	9% (4 of 46)	43% (20 of 46)

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.  
As 2020 is the fifth year of this Phase 2 Area it meets the criteria outlined as 80% (24 of 30) of the wells are over the 10 PPM threshold.  

A  

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
2016	1.47 to 41.8 ppm	29% (10 of 34)	9% (3 of 34)	62% (21 of 34)
2017	2.44 to 25.4 ppm	23% (8 of 35)	(0 of 35)	77% (27 of 35)
2018	1.75 to 29.3 ppm	25% (5 of 20)	10% (2 of 20)	65% (13 of 20)
2019	0.80 to 35.9 ppm	7% (2 of 30)	13% (4 of 30)	80% (24 of 30)

 

Rationale: 

2020 is the fifth year of this Phase 3 Area.  

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	23% (55 of 238)	12% (29 of 238)	65% (154 of 238)
2016	0 to 50.5 ppm	25% (58 of 228)	10% (22 of 228)	65% (148 of 228)
2017	0 to 53.4 ppm	25% (60 of 238)	6% (14 of 238)	69% (164 of 238)
2018	0 to 56.9 ppm	26.5% (50 of 189)	6.3% (12 of 189)	67.2% (127 of 189)
2019	0 to 39.4 ppm	26% (52 of 199)	11% (22 of 199)	63% (125 of 199)

 

Rationale: 

The LPNNRD has received # 1 livestock permit applications from DEQ since the last Water Committee meeting.

Name	Livestock	Type of Permit	Legal Description	County
Beller Feedlot	cattle	Expansion	SW1/4 13-20N-4W	Platte

 

 

 Description of permit application Expanding the feedlot  to another 7000 head

Rationale: 

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

Rationale: 

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

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Selma Schmit Limited Partnership	Irrigation	$1,000	Butler

 

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. 

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

• Fertigation or split applications
• Cover Crops
• Manure Management
• Grants
• UNL involvement

Committee and staff discussed the possibilities of grant funding for chemigation equipment, remote flow meters, weather stations and funding for a UNL research project.  

Rationale:  Thoughts on Water Flow Meters

• Grants usually only go for 3 years and normally 2.
• Grants usually are designed for a designated management area.
• Is a Water Flow Meter the Cost of Doing Business?
• All High Capacity Wells including livestock and industrial?

This was last proposal from last Committee Meeting

• Year 1 - All wells in Nitrate Management Areas
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 2 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 2 - Dodge, Colfax and Butler County
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 3 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 3 - Platte, Boone and Madison
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 4 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 4 - Saunders County 
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, 
• After the fifth year no cost share available and all meters not installed would be required to install at their cost.

LPNNRD would set a date that all  high capacity wells are required to have meters during the fifth year.  

Meter Details (this would stay the same)

• Meter Installation handled by Private Companies
• Meter Maintenance will be contracted out with about 1000 meters a year.   

Quote seen at a water conference "If water is not measured it can't be managed."
 
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. 
 

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.  

Rationale:  Committee and staff discussed how saltwater intrusion is influencing the aquifers in Florida.  Complete report will be given at Board 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..

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.