February 27, 2020 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address. 

Rationale:  Below are LPNNRD Summer 2020 SWCP applications:

20-C-1: Louis Lutjelusche - Sec 18-18N-2E Colfax County -                           Planned Grazing System (pumping plant, well, pipeline, tank)    $12,123.00

20-S-1: Elaine Kaspar - Sec 25-16N-5E Saunders County -           
  TOT/WASCOB -                                                                            $8,037.00


  

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  We have recently learned that Colfax County will be moving forward with designs and bidding a portion of the channel improvement and benching project that will be in conjunction with the U.P. Railroad Bridge replacement near county road 15. While the county will be leading the bidding process, it will be important the LPNNRD representatives be involved with the bid approval since we are the primarily funding partners of that portion of the project. 

Rationale:  As reported last month, FYRA submitted the draft Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan to NRCS.  NRCS will review and give comments over the next few weeks with final approval anticipated by July 2020. 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
There is no FYRA invoice this month. 

We are still working with Weston on establishing a Dam Breach Overlay District for the four structures above the Village.  Things went well at Weston's February 19th Planning and Zoning meeting, as a recommendation was passed to establish the  overlay zoning district. Final approval of the overlay district is anticipated at Weston's Public Hearing at 7:00 pm  on Monday, March 2nd.  The Hearing will be held at the Weston Fire Station. 

NRCS is still deliberating the archeological findings at Dam Site 83 with others.  Attached is their letter and other correspondence from the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians and the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office.

In discussions with NRCS, we need to prepare for the possibility of receiving additional federal funds later this year to build a portion of the lower eight Wahoo Creek structures (Sites 55, 66, 77, 82, 83, 84, 85 & 86).  As discussed at the Director's Retreat on February 19 (presentation attached), we need to establish a priority ranking of these eight sites. FYRA's and Olsson's suggested first five sites of the lower eight are: 1. Site 77; 2. Site 84; 3. Site 55; 4. Site 85; and Site 66. The other sites are 82, 83 and 86. (FYRA's structural data and various structure cost estimates are attached). Committee discussed the proposed dams and ranking and passed the recommendation as stated. 
Several landowners, Rick, Eric, Randy Beranek, Ron Morrissey, Bob Bartek and Harlod Klob were present to ask questions about the proposed dams including the possibility of having them constructed as "dry dams". It was mentioned that this can be considered when the design process is underway, but the option of having a dry dam would be a Board decision based on what the landowner involved requests and if there are factual benefits in considering this option. It was explained that there are negligible flood reduction benefits having a "dry" dam vs a "wet" dam and that there could be additional costs involved with a dry dam. 

 There was also discussion about possibly considering other dam sites than what the Board has approved for development of our watershed plan. At this stage of the process, if the District decides to not support the submitted watershed plan with  the eleven sites selected two years, it could jeopardize the project. Mountford has contacted NRCS representatives who will be present at the April 2nd Projects Committee meeting to answer questions about the Wahoo Creek Watershed plan and future outlook for moving forward.

NOTE: Following the committee meeting, Allen Gehring, NRCS, contacted us to inform us that a bulletin will be coming out asking project sponsors if they wish to apply for more federal funds by April 3.
Allen Gehring, NRCS, and Mike Placke, Olsson, will be at the March 9th Board meeting to offer input to the Board's discussion and answer questions. 

The Board is asked to discuss this topic and discuss potential action on potentially applying for NRCS (WFP) construction funds for one or more of the remaining eight Wahoo Creek Dams (sites 77, 84, 55, 85, 66, 82, 86, 83). This application would be due by April 3, 2020  to be considered for funding this year. 
 

Rationale:  Attached is the latest Olsson invoice totaling $7,702.71.  After this payment, $199,846.56 (34%) will have been paid on the $583,825 for design work on Wahoo Creek Dam sites 26a, 26b and 27. The remainder of our contract with Olsson ($1,46,153) for designing the remaining eight dam sites (55, 66, 77, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86) is mostly unspent because the work will not begin until NRCS gives the go-ahead. This will occur when NRCS is comfortable that the watershed plan will be approved which is anticipated to occur by July, 2020.  

Rationale:  On February 25, representatives from NDEE, NRCS, UNL Extension and LPNNRD held a public meeting at St. Johns School Gym in Weston. There was approximately  90 in attendance. The pubic meeting was 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 priority Wahoo Creek sub-watersheds North Fork Wahoo Creek, Dunlop Creek and Miller Branch. A report on the meeting was given and more information will be given at the Board Meeting.

Rationale:  Below are the applications for our 2020 Wahoo Creek Watershed Lands for Conservation program.  The payment rate for this year is $198/acre as determined by USDA's average dryland rental rate.

George Cejka: 8 acres = $1584.00
Robert Pokorny: 42 acres = $8316.00
Roger Fujan: 10 acres = $1980.00
Patrick Bartek: 26 acres = $5148.00
Gary Prochaska: 41 acres = $8118.00
Marvin Ptacek:  23 acres = $4554.00
Gregg Fujan:  10 acres = $1980.00

Total acres = 160
Total dollars allocated = $31,680.00

Rationale:  During a pre-stakeout review of Mike Chvatal's dam it was noted by NRCS personnel that the outlet of the dam's principal spillway was not stable, i.e., the design location and existing grade would exacerbate the 15' deep headcut immediately downstream that could/would creep back to embankment toe threatening the integrity of the structure.
The existing design was altered to meet specs, this included adding ~40' of pipe and excavating an outlet channel down to a stable grade.  The additional excavation and pipe have led to an increase in the bid from his contractor (attached).
Current bid/estimate = $66,989.75
Previous bid/estimate = $43,758.75
Due to existing Cottonwood Creek grant funds we've been able to approve a generous cost-share rate (currently $32,819.06 approved) which is an exception to the rule of our existing SWCP policy.  There is still an excess of these grant funds that we need to allocate.

Rationale:  On February 14, Mountford accompanied Brain Newton, Fremont City Administrator and Tom Smith, Dodge County Emergency Manager, at NEMA, Lincoln.  The propose was to discuss potential future FEMA funding for the proposed Dodge County flood resiliency study. 

We were informed that the emergency repair of the sand spoil breach near the Fremont Rod & Gun Club on the Platte River had been completed.  Another meeting at Fremont was held with partners to discuss this work and other issues was held on February 26. An update of that meeting will be given.

Rationale:  Directors Thompson, Olson, Pollard and Saeger and Gottschalk met with the group to discuss additional plans for repair of breach area on the property owned by Fremont Rod and Gun Club.  The initial construction was completed last Saturday (2-22-20) at a total cost of $ 188,618.  This amount was below the estimated cost of $ 200,000.  At Wednesday's meeting discussion was in regards to the remaining work needed to close off the breach area.  JEO has been in touch with the USACE and it appears, due to the emergency situation which still exists in the area the emergency work will be approved and allowed to be considered sufficient for a substantial portion of the final repairs.
  The estimated total to complete the project is approximately $100,000.  By utilizing the savings of $11,382 from the first phase, the additional amount needed would be $88,618 total.  With percentages remaining the same as before this would mean an additional $11,077.25 would be LPNNRD's share.
  Discussion and motion is requested.

Rationale:  LPNNRD completed the second round of multi-jurisdictional meetings for updating our Hazard Mitigation Plan on February 11 and 13.   We had excellent participation during the first round of meetings and had good  turnout again at the second round.  Elliott and Mountford are working with JEO on information needed for our portion of the plan update. 

Attached is a $22,334.80 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:  On February 4th Elliott received a letter from Larry Novak, representing Deerwood Family LLC, requesting a determination on a potential sediment/erosion complaint.  The area in question is located in Section 14-15N-3E of Butler County.  Mr. Novak has a pond on this property and is concerned that management practices on neighboring properties are having negatively exacerbating effects on his pond's water quality. 

Specifically, the concern is with the neighbor directly south of the Deerwood Family Property; Mr. Novak observed what he feels was excessive land treatment activities last year (2019) that destroyed ground cover and allowed for an abundance of silt to enter his pond.  The neighbor to the south, Tom Samek, had received SWCP assistance through LPNNRD to construct storage terraces on the property.  This construction upgraded the existing non-storage terraces and non-functioning waterway.

I explained to Mr. Novak that the newly installed practices, as well as, existing practices within his watershed are going to add to the life and water quality to his pond.

Rationale:  The Village of Linwood has requested LPNNRD assistance on a $16,750 drainage study (attachments). Village representative(s) and JEO may be present to discuss their request.   

Rationale:  The Dodge County Board of Supervisors has decided to initiate a HMPG property buyout and reconstruction project for residents impacted by the 2019 Floods. A Request for Proposals has been sent to prospective contractors and a notice published in the paper to assist with the project. Properties in both the LPNNRD and LENRD jurisdictions have been identified. LPNNRD has been asked to if we are interested in partnering with the County on the project. Tom Smith, Dodge County Emergency Manager will be present to discuss the program.

Rationale:  The annual LPNNRD/NRCS  local work group meeting will be held from 1 - 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4th, at the Lake Wanahoo Education Building.  The purpose of this meeting is to receive local input on available federal program conservation practices and give input on priority practices and areas. 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 10:25 a.m.