September 28, 2016 at 8:30 AM - Operations & Education Committee Meeting

Rationale:  There are no postponed motions to consider.

Rationale:  Mohrman Farms, Platte County have two CREP contract payments, 1.1 acres at $20.68 and 5 acres at $90.90 for a total payment of $111.58.

Rationale:  The O & M crew finished all the major areas in need of shredding, repaired two washed out culverts at Sand/Duck Creek 24 (see photo), sprayed the regrowth of Autumn Olive at Czechland Lake, sprayed trees on Sand/Duck site 15 and the old Wanahoo nursery, cleared trees and unplugged the culvert from Trouble Creek into Rawhide Ditch.

Rationale:  Paula Hoppe a local resident and Joel Jorgansen of the Game & Parks Commission presented a Wildlife Viewing Proposal on the Wanahoo wetland area just south of County road O. There is a fairly active bird watching community that use the Lake Wanahoo wildlife areas and they have identified over 200 species of birds on the property. Hoppe and Jorgansen have three viewing alternatives but are strictly looking at the North Alternative for the simplest access and least infrastructure. (See attached proposal) The District could help develop two small parking areas for 8 - 10 vehicles and keep a path mowed for access to a viewing platform that the viewing group would provide. (Also see letters of support attached.)

Rationale: 

Dan Ourada collected 114 bales (84.17 tons) of hay from the grassland area of Czechland. His payment to the District is $4,376.84.

We will be considering mechanical tree removal bids for the grassland area at Czechland during the October Board meeting. Bids are due Friday, October 7th at 4:00 pm.

Staff has started filling the geo-web on the east shoreline with gabian sized rock.

Rationale:  Robert Schmit has submitted an invoice of $10,130 for the renovation of his Bellwood Dam. Krivanek Construction did the work. Our Board of Directors approved $4,000 in assisting Mr. Schmit in repairing his dam back in July. Staff has not inspected the site.

Rationale:  The District is committed to assist in the construction of a box culvert for Paul Gifford and the Rawhide Land Partnership on Watson St. and Ridge Road. Staff is working with the City of Fremont on finalizing this project with Paul Gifford. The District has $26,956.90 in escrow for this project. Find attached estimated cost on different sized culverts from FYRA Engineering and the estimated savings using a 90 foot culvert versus a 125 foot culvert.

Rationale: 

Meduna Family Farms harvested 196 round bales and 18 tons in square bales in the late cutting, we have not collected the final numbers.

Provine Helicopters aerial sprayed the wetland areas of Wanahoo on Saturday, September 17 at a cost of $3,504.  See attached invoice and aerial flight paths.

Rationale: 

In the Lake Wanahoo Project here are what the stake holders have invested in the project. Corps of Engineers $15 million in environmental restoration from the breakwater north, land purchased from the dam north and $2 million in recreation, NE Game & Parks $1.4 million in fisheries enhancement, City of Wahoo and Saunders County $1.25 million each and NE Environmental Trust $1.2 million for fisheries and land purchase.

The Corps of Engineers will require the District to file a Section 408 form if changes to the operation of the project are being requested (see attachment).  This request is to see if there are any negative impacts to the federal project and if so how those impacts will be mitigated. The Federal investment in the project is environmental restoration and recreation.

NE Game & Parks have sent comments with concern about negative impacts on the the health of the fishery and effect on the recreation (see attachment).  They remind us of their $1.4 million investment in the fishery and urge that they be included in any discussions for development of a long term operational plan for Lake Wanahoo.

Find attached a letter from Nebraska Dept. of Natural Resources Director Gordon Fasset regarding the results from the Natural Resources Commission meeting. The Commission members do not believe they have a role with the project in overseeing the board's decision to operate the dam and lake.

In light of the above events it seems the best course of action would be:

     1.  Reestablish a Lake Wanahoo Lake Level Advisory Panel.

     2.  Continue to work with The Corps of Engineers concerning the Section 408 process.

     3.  Conduct a "Public Meeting" to receive input from all interested parties prior to any formal decision being made on changes to the Lake Wanahoo lake level.

It was requested to have the Lake Level Panel meet sometime prior to the November 30 O, E & RW Committee meeting date.  Staff will attempt to set the first meeting date for October 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Rationale:  The Corps of Engineers has postponed the October 18 GI Study Public Meeting to catch up on some study items.  They are proposing a Stakeholders Update meeting either November 3rd or 4th and the Public Meeting on November 8, 9 or 10th.

Rationale:  David Marshall submitted a bill of $2,200 for jetty repair on the Platte River in Colfax County. The repair is on the Platte River Reserve Island (formerly Tomek Island).

Rationale:  A Public Hearing for the updated Erosion & Sediment Control Regulations will be Wednesday, November 2 at 8:15 a.m. which is during the O, E and Rural Water Committee.

Rationale: 

The KTIC Radio Ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd for September have featured the rental availability of the grass drills.  We will continue this promotion for October.  The ads are attached.

Rationale: 

The Lower Platte South NRD coordinated the 2016 State Range Judging Contest.  Breunig & TePoel attended the contest to assist in scoring.

Rationale: 

We will be hosting the East Central Region Land Judging Contest on October 12^th in Saunders County.  Registrations are due September 30^th.  The event will begin at 9 am and the scoring will take place at our office.

Rationale: 

 Test Your Well Night will be on September 29^th from 6-8 pm at David City Public High School. Students from the Natural Resources Class and the FFA Chapter will test the nitrate levels of water samples brought in from the public. 

Rationale: 

We will be hosting the Information & Education Committee Meeting for NRD I&E staff from across the state on October 17^th-18^th.  The group will take a tour of Lake Wanahoo and meet in the LPNNRD Office.  TePoel was elected as the Vice-President of the committee for the upcoming year.

Rationale: 

Several educational presentations and activities were scheduled in September at local schools and events. 

• September 9^th- East Butler Elementary Afterschool First Lego League Group- TePoel did a wildlife and habitat activity with 20 elementary students.
• September 20^th- David City High School Natural Resources Class- Oaklund provided a presentation on water quality and quantity to 10 high school students.
• September 21^st- TePoel attended the Wonderful World of Water Festival in Pierce, Nebraska. She did a wildlife activity session with approximately 60 students throughout the event.  The Lower Elkhorn NRD and Upper Elkhorn NRD coordinate this event. 
• September 22^nd-David City High School Natural Resources Class- TePoel led a water testing activity for 10 students.  Several of these students will be participating in the upcoming Test Your Well Night at David City HS.
•  September 30^th- North Bend High School 10^th Grade Biology Class- TePoel will lead a wildlife and habitat activity with 29 students.
• October 3^rd- North Bend High School 10^th Grade Biology Class- TePoel will lead a wildlife and habitat activity with 13 students.

Rationale: 

We are moving into the development of the Nature Education Trail/Disc Golf Course at Lake Wanahoo.  We are planning to begin construction this fall and officially complete the project in Spring of 2017.

Attached documents include the basket invoice from Dynamic Discs, an invoice for basket sponsor decals from SignSolutions of Lincoln, and a price quote for tee sign printing from Mead Signs.

Rationale: 

I will be meeting with Neil - Phoenix Group later this week checking on the status of their proposed radio read system for our District's water meters.

Every three years lead and copper samples need to be taken and submitted to State for testing.  Colon samples were taken and submitted to the State earlier this month.  Once we have the results back, customers will be notified of results.

Rationale: 

Water samples were taken this past week and submitted to the State

Bills will be prepared and sent out by the 29th

Work will begin this week to trench and install new service connection to Lot 16 Browning Drive

All fire hydrants in Colon will be exercised in October as per our annual maintenance schedule.

Rationale: 

Water samples were taken this past week and submitted to the State

Bills will be prepared and sent out by the 29th