Public Meeting Agenda: November 28, 2018 at 5:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

1. Water Committee

1.A. Video

1.B. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1.C. REGULATORY

1.C.1. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA

1.C.1.a. Marian Meduna Variance Extension

Rationale: The District has received an extension request on variance LPN-NDV-016-0039 located in Sections 4&5 of T14N-R6E, Saunders County, Weston Subarea, Non-Hydrologically Connected Area. The new well variance was originally approved in September of 2016. The well was drilled within one year of the approval date (12/16/2016), and by rule the irrigation system needs to be in place by the end of 2018. Per staff's discussion with Ms. Meduna in the office, she was agreeable to a 90 day extension should the Board allow it.

Recommended Motion(s): To approve a 90 days extension starting January 1,2019, for installing the irrigation systems on Marian Meduna Variance LPN-NDV-016-0039. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.

Attachments: (1)

Extension Request Letter

11/28/2018 at 2:25 PM

1.C.1.b. USGS STREAM FLOW GAUGING SITES

Rationale: Chris Hobza and Matt Moser representing USGS were gave an update on the stream gages and Platte/Elkhorn Study.
Attached is the contract with USGS to continue with these sites. Also does the Board want to include LPN-80 to the contract for 2019?
Regarding continuation as a partner with the Leshara Water Quality gauge, staff will meet with USGS to review the benefits and costs ($24,808 over three years) for continuing with that site.

Attachments: (1)

USGS Contract

11/19/2018 at 1:18 PM

1.C.1.c. Expansion of Acres

Rationale: Ryan Loseke has submitted a request to increase 5.6 irrigated acres on a field located in S24-T18N-R1E, Colfax County. Well G-120056 is certified to irrigate 121.73 and has an estimated annual consumptive use of 26.29 acre feet which cannot be exceeded should the acres be approved by the Board. Attached is a map of the field.

Recommended Motion(s): To approve the expansion of acres for 5.6 acres to Ryan Loseke with consumptive use limited to 26.29 acre feet over a 3 year rolling allocation from Irrigation Well G-120056.. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.

Attachments: (1)

Loseke

11/28/2018 at 3:52 PM

1.C.1.d. Well Permit Program

1.C.1.d.1. Well Permits Approved

Rationale:

Wells Permits Approved: 2

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea
Hynek Farms	1	0	Irrigation (Supplemental)	Saunders	Morse Bluff
Ruzicka Farms Inc	1	0	Irrigation (Replacement)	Dodge	North Bend

The total number of approved permits for 2018 is 22

Location of Approved Well Permits for 2018: Correct as of 11/28/2018

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler	1	0	1	0	0	0	2
Colfax	0	2	0	0	0	0	2
Dodge	1	2	0	0	1	0	4
Boone	1	0	0	0	0	0	1
Madison	2	0	0	0	0	0	2
Platte	2	1	1	0	0	0	4
Saunders	3	3	0	0	0	1	7
Total	10	8	2	0	1	1	22

1.C.1.d.2. Kyle Herchenbach Livestock Well Permit Application

Rationale: Kyle Herchenbach has applied for a new livestock well in the NW1/4 SW 1/4 of S23-T20N-R3W in Platte County, Lower Newman Grove subarea. The well will be used to supply water to a new chicken operation. There will be a second well drilled under the same permit for redundancy.

Recommended Motion(s): To approve the Livestock Well Permit for Kyle Herchenbach for the NW1/4 SW 1/4 of S23-T20N-R3W in Platte County, Lower Newman Grove subarea. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.

Attachments: (1)

Herchenbach Livestock Well Location

11/27/2018 at 10:02 AM

1.C.1.e. UNL-DNR-LPN Agreement and Contract for SQS#2 Area

Rationale:

In November Oaklund and Jackie Polacek (UNL) installed cable and logger in ten UNL priority sites. As UNL analyzes their spatial distribution they may have a couple of more strategic wells. Oaklund has installed shelters at a couple more wells.

Attached is a agreement and contract to relinquish the transducer to the LPN after 2023 in which LPN will take care of the maintenance and provide data to both agencies.

Recommended Motion(s): To approve the signing of the agreement with UNL and DNR to relinquish the transducers to LPNNRD. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.

Attachments: (2)

2019-0127A UNL - LPNNRD Equipment Agreement (Korus)_10242018

11/19/2018 at 2:16 PM
NeDNR contract #1056 executed

11/19/2018 at 2:17 PM

1.C.1.f. Cost Share Programs

1.C.1.f.1. Irrigation Well Sample Kits

Rationale: 314 irrigation kits have been mailed. One mailed to Micek in November (Bellwood Phase 2 Area) has not yet been returned. All sample results have been mailed to producers.

1.C.1.g. Bellwood Phase 2 Area

Rationale:

2018 is the sixteen year for this Phase 2 Area. Five fertilizer application reports have been received for this 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	39% (24 of 62)	11% (7 of 62)	50% (31 of 62)

1.C.1.h. Richland - Schuyler Phase 2 Area

Rationale:

2018 is the third year of this Phase 2 Area. There are 45 registered active irrigation wells in the ten sections of this new area. Three fertilizer application reports have been received for this 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
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 tp 29.3 ppm	26% (5 of 19)	11% (2 of 19)	63% (12 of 19)

1.C.1.i. Richland - Schuyler Phase 3 Area

Rationale:

2018 is the third year of this Phase 3 Area. This Phase 3 area went into effect September 1, 2015. The 55 sections of this area first went into a Phase 2 Area in 2004. Five fertilizer application reports have been received for this 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	25% (46 of 182)	7% (12 of 182)	68% (124 pf 182)

1.C.1.j. LPNNRD Operator Certification

Rationale: One online test was completed in November (see following table).

Cert #	Cert date	Name	Re-cert	Comments
7134	11/13/2018	Michael Lindhorst	no

1.C.1.j.1. 2019 LPNNRD Certification Classes for Nitrogen and Water Management

Rationale: The 2019 class schedule has been set. The 2019 classes will start with a test allowing any attendee who passes the test to leave and be certified.

Class	Date & time	Location

# 1	Thursday, January 3rd @ 3:30 p.m.	Fremont - Extension Office
	? Note: Corn Expo at Christensen Field ?	(after the Corn Expo)
# 2	Monday, January 14th @ 7:00 p.m.	ENREC - Mead (formerly ARDC)

# 3	Friday, February 1st @ 9:30 a.m.	Columbus - Ag Park ?
# 4	Monday, February 4th @ 1:00 p.m.	David City - Butler County Events Center at Fairgrounds
# 5	Thursday, February 7th @ 9:30 a.m.	Lindsay - Village Office
# 6	Wednesday, February 20th @ 9:30 a.m.	Columbus - Ag Park ?

# 7	Monday, March 11th @ 6:00 p.m. u	Fremont - Extension Office
# 8	Tuesday, March 12th @ 9:30 a.m.	David City - Butler County Events Center at Fairgrounds
# 9	Wednesday, March 20th @ 7:00 p.m.	ENREC - Mead (formerly ARDC)
# 10	Thursday, March 21st @ 7:00 p.m.	Columbus - Ag Park ?

	? Ag Park classes will be on second floor. Entrance is	Ten classes
	on south side - accessible by stairs or elevator.

u	"Zoom" class

1.C.2. CHEMIGATION

Rationale:

Attached is the annual report that is sent to NDEQ.

Nitrogen: (Gallons) 181,491 ---equivalates to 644,293 lbs
Nitrogen: (Pounds) 2,331,067
= Total : 2,975,360 lbs of N
Acres Treated: 41,704
Avg. Application/ Acre : 71.3 lbs of N

Attachments: (1)

Chemigation Report

11/19/2018 at 1:34 PM

1.D. GROUND WATER PROGRAMS

1.D.1. LOWER PLATTE NORTH NRD GROUND WATER STUDIES

1.D.1.a. Lower Platte River Consortium

Rationale: An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, December 5 at Lower Platte South NRD from 5 to 7 to present and take comments on the Lower Platte Basin Drought Plan.
Attached is the working draft of the Drought Plan.

Attachments: (1)

Drought Plan Working Draft

11/28/2018 at 10:24 AM

1.D.2. NEW DAKOTA MONITORING WELLS

Rationale:

Water samples from these three wells have been collected this month. Tyler and Will retrieved the sample from the east well this afternoon. Sample results have not yet been received.

The Lower Platte North drilled some Dakota Wells during June and July in cropland fields. Some damage did occur in these fields with growing crops. Staff was very appreciative to the producers in allowing us to drill these wells. Pictures are attached showing the damage in which staff thanks John Hannah in providing these drone pictures and an estimated of dollar loss damage. Estimated yields were 220 bu/acre at $3.58 corn price.

East Site: David Grotelueschen - owner, Tony Sayer - operator
Estimate Crop Damage - $146.49
Seed Cost, labor and cooperation - $225.00
Total - $371.49 or round up to $400

Middle Site: Tom Neemeyer - owner, Brad Loseke - operator
Estimate Crop Damage - $212.62
Seed Cost, labor and cooperation - $225.00
Total - $437.62 or round up to $450

Recommended Motion(s): To approve paying Tony Sayer - $400 and Brad Loseke - $450 for crop damage including seed cost and labor occurred when the NRD drilled 2 Dakota wells. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.

Attachments: (4)

East Site

11/28/2018 at 9:17 AM
East Site

11/28/2018 at 9:07 AM
Middle Site

11/28/2018 at 9:16 AM
Middle Site

11/28/2018 at 9:17 AM

1.D.3. GROUND WATER ENERGY LEVELS

Rationale: Ground Water Level Summary Comparison of Fall 2017 to Fall 2018
Fall collection of ground water levels has been completed. Not surprisingly, and as anticipated, the numbers look good. Precipitation in July and August reduced irrigation pumping. Crops is a large area in central Platte County had significant hail damage and, as such, there was little to no irrigation is the area.

Ground Water Level Summary Comparison of Fall 2017 to Fall 2018
Aquifer	Number of Wells Measured	Median Change (Feet)	Mean Change (Feet)	Number of Wells Increased	Number of Wells Unchanged (+ or - 0.3 Feet)	Number of Wells Decreased
Subarea	Number of Wells Measured	Median Change (Feet)	Mean Change (Feet)	Number of Wells Increased	Number of Wells Unchanged (+ or - 0.3 Feet)	Number of Wells Decreased
Platte Valley	58	0.60	0.64	37	14	7
Bellwood	5	0.09	0.28	2	2	1
Fremont	7	-0.10	-0.43	1	3	3
Fremont East	3	1.04	0.95	3	0	0
Leshara Platte Valley	1	0.04	0.04	0	1	0
North Bend	9	0.26	0.54	3	4	2
Octavia	5	0.39	0.94	4	1	0
Platte River Uplands	4	1.02	1.56	4	0	0
Schuyler	6	0.83	0.80	4	2	0
Wann	18	0.81	0.86	16	1	1

Shell Creek	46	4.76	5.58	46	0	0
Lower Newman Grove	2	[+4.72, +6.83]	5.78	2	0	0
Lower Shell Creek	6	2.03	1.66	6	0	0
Middle Shell Creek	17	6.42	6.88	17	0	0
Newman Grove	3	4.39	5.34	3	0	0
Platte Center	6	4.02	3.85	6	0	0
Shell Creek Uplands	2	[+1.24, +15.07]	8.16	2	0	0
Upper Newman Grove	9	6.15	5.91	6	0	0
Upper Shell Creek	1	9.29	9.29	1	0	0

Todd Valley	19	0.10	0.40	9	6	4
(north of Hwy 92)	8	0.96	0.96	7	1	0
(south of Hwy 92)	11	-0.08	-0.11	2	5	4

Uplands	56	1.57	3.90	37	12	7
David City	18	8.37	8.40	17	0	1
Leshara Uplands	4	0.62	0.65	2	2	0
Morse Bluff	3	2.26	4.11	3	0	0
Prague	6	2.28	5.82	5	1	0
Swedeburg	9	-0.08	-0.06	2	5	2
Weston	7	0.51	1.77	5	1	1
Yutan	5	-0.30	0.81	2	1	2
Yutan South	4	0.53	0.32	2	1	1
				72%	18%	10%

			Last year's %	43%	17%	40%

1.E. OTHER

1.E.1. Phoenix Workgroup

Rationale: Attached is an invoice from Phoenix which contract was signed July 2018.

Attachments: (1)

LPNNRD Invoice 130544 Workflow Management-Code complete

11/19/2018 at 1:57 PM

1.E.2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

November 28, 2018 at 5:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

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