April 27, 2017 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  There is no unfinished business pending at this time.

Rationale: 

Keith Racek   Basins/Tile                $ 18,107.10   (100%)

This project is adjacent to Sand/Duck Creek Dam site 24.  As discussed last month, this is work that needs to be completed to correct erosion issues in the emergency spillway which has been occurring since the completion of the dam.

Rationale:  16-C-12     Larry Muhle   Emergency Terrace repair    $ 1,000.00

Rationale:  None presented at this time.

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NE Buffer Strip Payments:

Rodney Juleson     $ 5,197.50

This contract was approved retroactive to the end of his last contract.  This payment will bring Mr. Juleson current on his current contract.

Rationale: 

Lands for Conservation Approvals:

  Gary Prochaska     60 acres     $ 11,340.00

  Mark Kaspar         26 acres      $   4,784.00

                                                 $ 16,124.00

Rationale:  The Project Implementation Plan for Shell Creek Watershed Environmental Enhancement Plan Implementation is still under EPA review.  Once we receive formal approval, we will be ready to go out for bids on the Kramer Bank Stabilization Project.  It is anticipated that it will be about three weeks before we receive NDEQ/EPA blessing to move forward and be ready for approving a grant contract with NDEQ.

Rationale:  LPNNRD and FYRA Engineering have continued to work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on setting up future agency and public meetings to discuss the proposed construction of  two Wahoo Creek floodwater reduction dams, Sites 26 & 27.  

Rationale:  As reported last month, we have completed financial project commitments associated with Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan Phase I.   Attached is a draft final report to NDEQ outing the funds expended during this project phase.  Most of this money was used for watershed analysis to help prioritize future construction work and landowner cost share for conservation practices and programs. 

Rationale: 

The Nebraska Department of Water Quality (NDEQ) has informed us that we have received verbal EPA approval of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP)  to move forward on the Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quaility Plan Phase II.  Phase II includes additional landowner conservation program assistance and proposed construction of several road dams to replace old bridges in need of repair.   Attached is the PIP which includes a breakdown of grant and local partner contributions.  We have met with Saunders County to organize and prepare for moving forward in the process to secure an engineering firm to permit and design the road dams.  Grant funding from NDEQ, NET, the Department of Roads, is planned to be used to help offset much of this expense.  Our goal is to begin construction on two or more dams later this year. 

We met with NDEQ on April 26 and Elbert Traylor said that a grant funding contract is expected to be presented at the May 8 Board meeting for approval. 

Rationale: 

The Board has been discussing whether or not to continue as part of the Lower Platte River Corridor Alliance for several months.  Miyoshi and Mountford meet with John Winkler and Marlin Peterman, PMRNRD,  and Paul Zillig and Dave Potter, LPSNRD, to work on a proposed new LPRCA draft interlocal agreement for consideration. The committee reviewed the draft agreement as attached.   A decision on whether or not to approve a new interlocal agreement and remain a member should be made at the May 8th Board Meeting.  The third draft of the Agreement is attached.

Also attached find:

   Alliance Retreat Report

   Alliance Retreat Notes

   Alliance Minutes from 2-24-17 Meeting

LPSNRD committee approved the Interlocal agreement on 5-2-17 for board consideration on 5-25-17.

Papio NRD will vote on the Interlocal on 5-17-17.

It was requested to have Dave Potter attend the board meeting to discuss the Interlocal Agreement, however Dave is at an IMP Meeting at LPSNRD the evening of our board meeting and not able to attend.

Rationale:  Attached is a $1,482.85 invoice from LPSNRD for our share of the LPRCA planning meeting retreat expenses held at Camp Ashland on February 24, 2017.  

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A meeting was held in Fremont on Thursday, April 20 with officials from Cities, County's, NRD's, FEMA, DNR, and FYRA Engineering.  FYRA Engineering explained the discrepancy they found in the Corps of Engineers flood flows on the Platte River and how this may affect communities from Columbus to the mouth of the Platte River. It was explained how long and difficult a process it is for FEMA to revise the current flood plain mapping. The ice induced flows must also be factored in to the equation but, we are waiting to find out if NDOR's ice flow equation is FEMA approved. If so, that ice flow factor can be used by FYRA.

Current FIRM revisions are prioritized by each state with remapping in the Blue Basin currently moving forward and remapping for the Elkhorn Basin currently being organized. It will be at least 5 years before any new FEMA FIRM mapping is started in the Lower Platte Basin.  If communities want to address their own flood zones by panels it would be at their own expense to get them revised.

We will work with FYRA to come up plan to accelerate FIRM remapping in our basin.

Rationale: 

Attached is a draft Interlocal Agreement with the City of Schuyler clarifying their responsibiitiy for the operation and maintenance of the completed Shell Creek Levee that is a part of the Schuyler 205 Project with USACE.

This proposed agreement have been reviewed by Jovan Lausterer and his comments have been incorporated. 

Rationale:  Project activities started last month. Matt Bailey will give a progress report.

Rationale: 

Last month, Jon Peterson with JEO was present to update the committee on progress with Woodcliff's Platte River Bank Stabilization Project.  Woodcliff has indicated that they desire LPNNRD's financial assistant with this project and the committee discussed what amount of assistance is appropriate.   The total construction estimate is $630,000 not including engineering, mitigation or future operation and maintenance.   Nick Borman, representing Woodcliff, suggested consideration of about 50% assistance on the construction cost ($to be paid over several years.  The project is planned to be underway in the fall of 2017.   The committee had discussion that it appears this is a project that warrants LPNNRD assistance.  LPNNRD annually receives over $50,000 in property taxes from Woodcliff.

Jon Peterson, JEO, Lonnie Mart and Nick Borman, Woodcliff, presented Woodcliff's   formal funding assistance request of $325,000 toward the project construction to be paid over a 3 or 4 year period as attached.  

 JEO's PowerPoint that was presented last month is also attached for review.  

 

Rationale:  There has been pass discussion about the possibility of looking into enhancing our Pheasants Forever Wetland Project area located directly about Lake Wanahoo for potentially improving wildlife habitat and to temporarily store more water during intense rain events.  Mountford has discussed this topic with Ken Kotera who would discuss this with NRCS if we want to investigate this further.    

Rationale: 

Heimann and Mountford attended the final construction inspection for the Camp Ashland fuse plug on April 20th (see photo's).  Final seeding has been held up because of weather but, will be completed shortly if not already.  The project construction looked very good.  The plug opening is larger than the previous, it's 25' - 26' wide.

The COE also wants to do an inspection on the Clear Creek Levee one more time with the District before the O & M Manual comes out.

Rationale:  With no further business, the Projects Committee adjourned at 9:33 a.m.