April 8, 2019 at 6:00 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:  No new updates.

Rationale:  The GMDA Summer Conference will be held in Salt Lake City, June 5-7, 2019. Is there any Directors interested in attending?

Rationale:  Attached find Director Veskerna and Bailey's excuse of absence from the March Board Meeting.

Rationale:  With the recent flooding, perhaps it would be a good idea to have staff provide an update on flooding damages and ongoing repair planning.

Rationale:  Attached is the scope of work for accounting services for our district.  We are planning to advertise the RFP during April with review and potential interviews in May.

Rationale:  Staff will update the Committee on the recent flooding throughout our district.  

Rationale:  We have had a request for individual sponsorship of portions of the Wanahoo Education building.  I would like some discussion on this topic and how you would like staff to proceed.

Rationale:  Attached are minutes from March 11, 2019 Personnel Sub-committee meeting.  Discussion and motions are requested.

Plans are to approach staff raises/cost of living pay increases the same as we did last year.  I will ask the Board to approve a total percentage rate and ALL staff (management and non-management) will be treated the same.  Based on performance evaluations staff will receive a fixed dollar pay increase rather than a salary percentage increase. 

Rationale:  To add maternity to our leave policy

• 80 hours  lump sum
• Allowing additional banked hours above existing cap. (8 hours per pay period/16 pay periods fora  max of 128 hours).  

Rationale:  Information and Education Department

• Additional Responsibility of Education building coordination and Wanahoo Event planning to Information and Education Department Head.
• Additional of Part-Time I & E Assistant/Reception (30 hours/week)
• I & E Salary Increase for additional responsibilities.

Rationale:  Annual General Manager formal evaluation move to May coordination with all other staff evaluations.

Rationale:  To date 7 "District First" awards have been awarded.

Rationale:  Staff plans to have Richard Mullen begin working at Wanahoo Recreation Area April 1, 2019 as Lead Technician.  Richard will be scheduled to work 40 hours per week, April through October.  Richard has worked at the park for 6 years and has extensive knowledge of the area and needs of the park.  The following offer was proposed to Mr. Mullen and he has accepted:
- $ 14.00 per hour
- Free camper pad provided in Wanahoo and Richard will only pay for estimated monthly electrical usage.

Attached is job description and announcement for our part-time/full-time Wanahoo Recreation Technician position.  It is our intention to hire 4-6 individuals to cover 120 work hours per week.  We plan to advertise for 2 weeks and have individuals hired and ready to begin in early May.

Rationale:  Grant will be available for a conference call at 10:15 a.m.

Rationale:  Nothing to consider this month.

Rationale:  Nothing to consider under Wildlife Contracts.

Rationale:  The O & M Crew spent time moving snow, burned a couple large tree piles, maintenance on equipment, checked on recreation areas and checked for flood damage.

Rationale:  We are waiting to hear from Rosendahl Feed & Seed in Platte County for their report on the second half of 2018.  They were contacted again and will send their report soon.

Rationale:  The District has ordered 12,100 trees. We will plant trees for 8 cooperators totaling 7,335 trees.
The nursery started digging and packing Monday, March 25. Trees will be delivered in the next week or two.

Rationale:  Staff and Wildlife Biologist are recommending haying approximately 150 acres around Lake Wanahoo. We would also hay areas of Czechland and Homestead Lakes. The District would go through a bidding process and ask that the parcels be bid by the ton.

Rationale:  The subject of lowering Lake Wanahoo up to 4 feet has come up many times. In the O & M Manual under Section 9.2.3 -Wetlands Operations it states; The Lake Wanahoo restoration area will be operated & monitored to provide water levels for optimal wetland development while also meeting required Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements to offset depletions to the Platte River. Annually, a gradual draw down of 1 foot will be accomplished from ice out to June 30. Also, No less than every 7 years a draw down (up to 4 feet) should be accomplished to expose soil. This more extensive draw down should be developed in consultation with NGPC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
It's expected that water level management, as described above, will help establish & maintain a diverse wetland complex at elevations between 2 feet above to 6 feet below normal pool. Through coordination between appropriate environmental & engineering staff from LPNNRD, NGPC and USACE, adjustments to this water level management strategy may occur as needed in order to optimize diversity & wetland development so long as required ESA flow releases to offset depletions to the Platte River are met.
At this time, does the District want to pursue this study?

Rationale:  There has been substantial damages from flooding throughout the district. We have been inundated with questions about what kinds of assistance is available for cleanup and repairs to farms, homes and projects.  LPNNRD staff has been very busy inspecting damaged areas and meeting with emergency managers, city & county personnel, federal and state agency representatives, dike & drainage district representatives, homeowner associations, and landowners on what kinds of assistance will be available and how it can be obtained.  Agencies like FSA, NRCS and FEMA (NEMA) have emergency programs that can assist, but these groups are still in the process of working out details on how these programs will be administered to the public.  LPNNRD is working with the USACE on coordinating funding and repair activities on our sponsored Clear Creek Levee Project that received substantial damage. While LPNNRD has some local funds for repairing our sponsored projects, the amount is very small compared to what will be required. We do not have emergency repair programs to handle the type of flood damages incurred district-wide. We will continue to work with all damaged parties and assist in directing damaged parties to the appropriate federal, state and local funding sources. Projects listed as we know;
Dan Wolf Platte River Bank stabilization Project 1994 near Richland is gone; Shell Creek Stabilization Projects near Schuyler have no substantial damage; Schuyler Levee - no damage; McGinn Lakes - the P. River created a new channel which threatens the North Bend Cut-off Ditch; North Bend Levee - uncertain about any breaches; Morse Bluff Levee breach threatened Hwy 79; Cotterell Levee - report of no damage; Ames Levee - breach on the west end which threatens the Central cut-off ditch; Fremont & lake developments estimates to repair $4.3 million; Rod & Gun Club Lake breach that went through Co. Rd 19; Rawhide Ditch 8 - East end - Elkhorn River overtopped and has not been inspected; Elkhorn Breakout - Unknown; Leshara Levee has breaches; Platte Valley Levee has breaches; Clear Creek Levee has breaches and the District is working with the COE on temporary measures; Camp Ashland may be a total loss; Guard Camp Fuse Plug washed out as designed; Lake Ventura has sustained damage on the north side of the lake and will focus their immediate attention on needed repairs there.
 

Rationale:  As of 3/27/2019 the District has sold a total of 1665 Annual Lake Wanahoo Park Entry Permits totalling $28,559. March permit sales were down due to the season change, but staff expects sales to pick back up in April as we transition into camping and open water fishing season.

Rationale:  Staff is still troubleshooting the Reserve America software. The park revenue report generated off of their site is reporting the District has received a total of $9088.33. That number is yet to be verified.

Rationale:  During the flooding event that began Thursday March 14th, Lake Wanahoo was inundated with flood waters. Due to the thickness of the ice, water was forced to shoreline. The massive amount of water created a pressure head on the breakwater causing water to rush over the top of the trail. Staff observed the flooding in real time, but the extent of the damage was not realized until the water level dropped. Substantial damage to the trail has forced staff to shut down public access until engineers from Olsson and Associates can assess the damage and recommend repairs. Photos are attached.

Rationale:  Staff has put together a job description and announcement for part time/full time staffing positions needed to assist in the day to day operations of Lake Wanahoo. Staff plans to hire Richard Mullen as Lead Wanahoo Recreation Technician. The goal is to have the park fully staffed by mid May.

Rationale:  Staff received three bids for mowers from Ty's Outdoor Power & Service, Ted's Mower Sales & Service, and Platte Valley John Deere. The recommended bid is attached. The District budgeted $30000 for mower purchase  

Rationale:  Education/Recreation Building progress has slowed due to the weather, but exterior construction will continue April 1st with the hopes of that portion of the project being completed mid April.

Pork Chop Island construction is continuing to move forward. Now that the ice has melted staff can begin installation of the compost toilets, fire rings, and other necessary materials.

Staff intends to move forward with the installation of up to three new camper pads at Lake Wanahoo. They will be rocked and 30 amp service will be provided. These sites will to not be open for use by the general public, but rather used by the District for promotions and on site staff. 

Rationale:  The LPNNRD offered rock-pad camping sites with electrical hook-up at Lake Wanahoo and Czechland Lake free of charge to displaced families in the district due to flooding.  This opportunities was shared on Facebook and Twitter.  As of 4/1/19, the Facebook post has reached 51,369 people (including 6,991 engagements) and has 546 shares.

On March 20th, the interview segment with KMTV's Metro Blend aired during the Pickler and Ben Show.  The segment can be viewed on the LPNNRD YouTube and Facebook pages.  As of 4/1/19, the Facebook post reached 3,240 people.

Rationale:  We've had some inquiries to the program.

Rationale:  The April KTIC Radio Ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd will continue to promote the opportunity to purchase trees from the LPNNRD Office.  The ads are attached.

Rationale:  We have received the exhibitor application/contract for the 2019 Platte County Fair ( July 10^th-14^th).  The booth cost is $220.

In 2018, we had booths at the Platte, Butler, Saunders, and Dodge County Fairs.

2019 fair dates:

• Boone County: July 6^th-10^th
• Madison County: July 9^th-14^th
• Platte County: July 10^th-14^th
• Butler County: July 16^th-21^st
• Colfax County: July 17^th-July 21^st
• Saunders County: July 28^th-August 4^th
• Dodge County: July 31^st-August 4^th

Rationale: 

Date	School/Group	Grade/Age	# of students	Topic	Staff
Friday, March 1	Pearl Academy (Fremont)	Pre-K	12	wildlife/camouflage	TePoel
Wednesday, March 6th	Wahoo Public	7th Grade	70	Watersheds	Elliott/TePoel
Monday, March 11th	UNL- Guest Speaker Panel	College	15	Women in agriculture	Skye Rezac/TePoel
Monday, March 11/Tuesday, March 12	St. Wenceslaus (Wahoo)	Pre-K	29	natural resources	TePoel
Tuesday, March 12	Saunders County 4-H	Clover Kids	15	trees/seasons	TePoel
Tuesday, March 19th	Wahoo Public	6th Grade	77	Watersheds	Elliott/TePoel
Wednesday March 20/Thursday, March 21	Earth Wellness Festival (Lower Platte South Festival)	5th Grade	216	wildlife	TePoel
Thursday, March 21	East Butler Public	8th Grade	24	water	Andersen/Brueggemann
Wednesday, March 27	East Butler Public	8th Grade	24	natural resources	TePoel
Tuesday, April 9th	North Bend Public	3rd Grade		Wildlife	TePoel
Tuesday, April 9th/Wednesday, April 10th	St. Wenceslaus (Wahoo)	Pre-K	29	Natural resources	TePoel
TBD	Wahoo Public	Survival Club (8th Grade)	18	Natural resources	TePoel/Gottschalk

Rationale:  Spring Conservation Sensation will be held on Wednesday, May 1^st from 9 am-2 pm at Czechland Lake recreation Area.  Currently, 165 students are registered from St. Wenceslaus (Wahoo), Logan View, North Bend, Bellwood, and St. Mary’s (David City).

LPNNRD staff and guest speakers will present sessions covering a wide variety of topics including wildlife, soil, water, and trees.  Wildlife Encounters will provide a presentation to all students at the end of the day.  This special presentation is sponsored by JEO.
 

Rationale:  Elliott and Benal attended the 2019 Nebraska Rural Water Association Annual Meeting on 3/11-12.  They provided break out sessions with CEUs available, both Elliott and Benal accrued enough credits for their respective Water Operator licenses that are due for renewal at the end of 2019.

Department of Health and Human Services released their 2018 Water Quality Reports for Colon and Bruno.  Elliott is reviewing and will follow standard protocol in releasing/notifying customers of the results. 

Rationale:  At the end of 2018 Shad Hejhal notified RW dept. that he had suffered a serious work-related injury and his future income was in jeopardy.  He was willing to pay a portion of the bill and assured the RWD that he would clear up remaining balance as soon as he resolved his situation.  We have not heard from him or been in contact with him for a few months, his current balance is $533.92 and his service was shut-off 3/18.

Meters read and bills will go out 3/29.
Monthly testing completed as normal. 

Rationale:  Meters read and bills will go out 3/29.
Monthly testing completed as normal.

Rationale:  Jovan wrote up a motion that would clarify the 2 out of 10 irrigation rule and what is certified irrigated acres. 
 
______________ made the motion, seconded by _________________, to clarify that once an irrigated acre has been certified as either a "historically irrigated acre" or has been issued a variance by the District those acres are no longer subject to the "two of the last ten years" rule as described within the District’s groundwater rules and regulations.  As a result, certified irrigated acres will not be retired by virtue of the fact they have not been put to beneficial use by the landowner for an extended period of time.  Once the certified irrigated acres are put back into beneficial use by the landowner they shall be subject to the then existing rules and regulations of the District.  The District retains the right to amend its groundwater rules and regulations should it later determine it as necessary or appropriate (ergo landowners should govern themselves accordingly as the District is not precluded from later adopting a rule for retirement of certified irrigated acres).

More discussion:
The plan, if the policy goes into effect, for staff to not allot this water to other acres or uses. At the present time the NRD still has a water allotment under the current 5 year V-IMP plan.  To retain certified irrigation acres the land still needs to pay irrigated taxes.  A limit on the number of acres that are not being used for cropland?  

Background information:
The Committee heard from the industry representatives and individuals that were interested in pursuing solar installation sites, along with an individual that wanted to expand his cattle operation onto irrigated acres. They would like the option to retain irrigation rights, if the land is not irrigated 2 out of 10 years.  Some of the solar installation sites can be as large as 800 - 1000 acres and need to be in close proximity to transmission lines.  The solar installation sites pays property tax along with a nameplate tax for renewal energy.  Other comments were an opportunity for a young family to come back to the farm if cropland is limited. The Committee discussed banking and transfer rules along with selling the irrigated right.  One company has individuals that will be needing to sign agreements in April.  If Board is interested in a policy change, this could be done in a couple of months.  A rule change for banking or transferring would required more time. 

Rationale: 

Wells Permits Approved: #

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total number of approved permits for 2019 is #

Location of Approved Well Permits for 2019:  Correct as of ####

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler
Colfax
Dodge
Boone
Madison
Platte
Saunders
Total

 

Rationale:  A few livestock producers in the SQS areas had higher water use reports than other irrigated fields.  The pivots are hooked up to lagoon water with the meters attached at the pivot point.  If they can verify that it was lagoon water by a electric bill would that be acceptable to adjust the water use for that individual well?  They met the water flow meter requirement as one is installed. 

The Committee felt that the producer has the responsibility of installing the meter correctly or accept the water use that is shown by the meter. Tracking of each sites that is exempt could become complicated.   

Rationale:  The March 19th meeting was postponed.  At this time no makeup meeting has been scheduled and might be postponed until later in the summer along with the annual meeting. 

Rationale:  The V-IMP report for 2018 is attached.  This report is required on an annual basis by March 1.

Rationale:  How do we proceed or does the NRD want to proceed in developing a procedure in installing flow meters District wide?  
Questions to answer:
Would there be cost-share? Does the NRD tries for a grant first before proceeding?  If approved would there be a procedure in place? 
Staff still needs to get a better handle on meters currently installed.

Committee brought up the issue with fire departments that is only using high capacity wells in an emergency. 

Shown is a couple of options that could be implemented. 

Option 1 for Flow Meter Installation (Irrigation):
Year 1 - Colfax/Platte - 1661 meters
Year 2 - Butler/Western Saunders - 1500 meters
Year 3 - Eastern Saunders - 1554 meters
Year 4 - Dodge - 1238 meters
Year 4 - Boone/Madison - 234

Option 2 for Flow Meter Installation (Irrigation):
Year 1 - Stream Depletion Factor (SDF > 85%) - 1161 meters
Year 2 - SDF 80-90% - 1673
Year 3 - SDF 70-80% - 1011
Year 4 - SDF 60-70% - 959
Year 5 - SDF 0-60% - 848

If the NRD offers 50% cost-share on 1000 meters, potentially it could be $750,000 for 5 years. 

Another option is to offer cost-share for 3 years but keep it voluntary. 

Committee asked staff to looked into grants that could assist in the cost-share of water flow meters.  If grant assistance could not be attained the Committee would at the time discuss options. 

Rationale:  Attached is some information with a budget on a couple of grant opportunities for remote monitoring equipment.  Both of these grants are federal grants from the Bureau of Reclamation.  The Drought Resiliency grant deadline is due March 27, but something to consider in 2020.  The Small Scale Efficiency Grant is due April 24. 

The Small Scale Grant would be used to receive information remotely from the SQS areas.  The information that could be received is water levels, rainfall, meter readings and ET (evaporation-transpiration) rates.  This could be beneficial information during irrigation season for the NRD and producers. 

The Drought Grant was looking at putting remote equipment in NRD dedicated monitoring wells throughout the District.  Both of the grants are a 50 - 50 share with the partners.  Possibility exist on receiving a state grant to match the federal grant.   

Rationale:  The flood has contaminated domestic wells in many counties within the District.  At this time the LPN still has around $4,700 dollars in the Water Quality Budget.  Midwest Labs is giving a 50% discount on sampling analysis (attached information sheet).  Would it be OK to have the LPN offer to pick up the other 50%?  The cost for the NRD would $17.50 per sample.  If the NRD was going to do this, promotion should go out soon.  

Rationale:  2019 is the third year of this Phase 2 Area.  
 

 

Rationale:  2018 is the third year of this Phase 3 Area.  Fertilizer application reports have not yet been received from Mike Settles [Barta Family LLP] for tracts south of Richland.  Efforts to contact him by telephone have been unsuccessful.  A January 25^th reminder letter has gone unanswered.  Settles may not be the tenant for these tracts in 2019.

Option to consider is to send a certified letter to tenant and owner giving them a deadline with Committee to consider a Cease and Desist Order at the April Committee Meeting. 

Committee authorized staff to send certified letters to the owner and operator with potential action starting at the Water Committee on May 1.

 

Rationale:  Nine online tests have been completed since previous meeting (see following table).

Cert #	Cert date	Name	Re-cert	Comments
6423	3/8/2019	Randal Kremlacek	Yes
7195	3/22/2019	Michael Kendall	No	Waverly producer
7196	3/22/2019	Brian Pieper	No	Waverly producer
7197	3/22/2019	Tim Wiese	No	Waverly producer
7198	3/22/2019	Randy Warner	No	Waverly producer
6529	3/22/2019	Beau Klug	Yes
6494	3/22/2019	James Klug	Yes
6480	3/22/2019	Richard Braun	Yes
3930	3/25/2019	Brenton Hopkins	Yes

Sixteen producers have passed the Online Test in 2019

Rationale: 

Class	Date & time	Location	Attendees
# 1	Thursday, January 3rd @ 3:30 p.m. ? Note: Corn Expo at Christensen Field ?	Fremont - Extension Office   (after the Corn Expo)	65/7
# 2	Monday, January 14th @ 7:00 p.m.	ENREC - Mead (formerly ARDC)	38/2
# 3	Friday, February 1st @ 9:30 a.m.	Columbus - Ag Park **	30/6
# 4	Monday, February 4th @ 1:00 p.m.	David City - Butler County Events Center, at Fairgrounds	23/2
# 5	Thursday, February 7th @ 9:30 a.m.	Lindsay - Village Office	21/2
# 6	Wednesday, February 20th @ 9:30 a.m.	Columbus - Ag Park **	canceled
# 7	Monday, March 11th @ 6:00 p.m. ##	Fremont - Extension Office	12/3
# 8	Tuesday, March 12th @ 9:30 a.m.	David City - Butler County Events Center, at Fairgrounds	15/3
# 9	Wednesday, March 20th @ 7:00 p.m.	ENREC - Mead (formerly ARDC)	13/24 ##
# 10	Thursday, March 21st @ 7:00 p.m.	Columbus - Ag Park **	38/6
	**Ag Park classes will be on second floor.  Entrance is on south side - assessible by stairs or elevator**	Ten Classes	305/61

## Most at this class were first-time certifiers with LPNNRD but are from LPSNRD.
 

On Friday, February 15th @ 1:00 p.m. a special class was held at the Oak Ball-Room in Schuyler.

The class focused on Phase 2/3/4 management areas. There were 66 at this class, which included current and past directors.  Six staff members were  also present to assist with facilitation. Fifty attendees returned their sign-in sheet; six of these were first-time certifiers.

(This class met the Nitrogen & Water Management certification requirement.)

 

Rationale:  Attached is the scoring sheet used for variances. Something to consider is changing the minimum score that must be meet to 300 and all permits not approved will expired after 3 years after application is submitted. 

Committee thought changes to the variances ranking was acceptable with staff to finalize a draft for the next Water Committee. 

Rationale:  Staff still plans on collecting water samples, measure extra static water levels, vadose sampling and develop GIS layers with assistance from a NET Grant.  This information will be analyze for the purpose of looking at contamination and water movement through the vadose zone and at the saturated water zones.  The plan is to develop a plan on where best management practices will be most beneficial.  The hope is that some producers will develop some demonstration sites for educational purposes.  

Does the Committee/Board has any ideas or direction for staff to proceed 3-5 years down the road?

Rationale: 

For 2019 we have 93 renewals for a current total of 93.  Attached is a complete breakdown for the current chemigation season.

 

Rationale: 

The LPNNRD has received # 3 livestock permit applications from DEQ since the last Water Committee meeting.

Name	Livestock	Type of Permit	Legal Description	County
AB3 Poultry Farm	Poultry	New Construction	N1/2 SE1/4 28-18N-1E	Platte
TM Farm	Poultry	New Construction	N1/2 SE1/4 28-18N-1E	Platte
TJ's Chicken Farms	Poultry	New Construction	N1/2 SE1/4 28-18N-1E	Platte

 

 

 Description of permit application
AB3 Poultry Farms - 190,000 Broilers 5-6 lbs (4 barns)
TM Farm - 190,000 Broilers 5-6 lbs (4 barns)
TJ's Chicken Farm - 190,000 Broilers 5-6 lbs (4 barns)

 

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
Curtis Havelka	Irrigation	$375.00	Saunders
Gary Wirka	Irrigation	$877.13	Saunders

 

Rationale:  The conference is June 5 - 7 in Salt Lake City.

Rationale:  No unfinished business at this time.

Rationale:  Attached for approval is the proposed 2019 SWCP Policy. 

Rationale:  Below are the 2019 LPNNRD Summer SWCP applications up for approval.  All have been reviewed by NRD & NRCS staff. **Denotes Priority Watershed.

19-S-1  Jala LLC - Terrace w/ Tile Outlet - $10,000
19-S-2  Dennis Beranek - Terrace w/ Tile Outlet - $10,000
19-S-3**  Roger Fujan - Terrace w/ Tile Outlet - $12,500  
19-S-4**  Hartman Family Trust - Terrace w/ Tile Outlet - $12,500
19-B-1**  Gary Meister - Terrace w/ Tile Outlet - $12,500

Total Summer SWCP allocation = $57,500.00
            

Rationale:  Attached is the breakdown for the 2019 tree cost share program.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Mary Jo Lierman - 123ac - $23,247.00

Rationale: 

Darrell Kubik - 19.0ac - $3,610.00 
Zach Kastl-24.0 ac - $4,560.00
Tyler Osmera-32.0 ac - $6,080.00
Roger Fujan-30.0 ac - $5,700.00
Joe Peterson-32.0 ac - $6,080.00
Marvin Ptacek-40.0 ac - $7,600.00
Gregg Fujan-9.0 ac - $1,710.00
George Cejka-30.0 ac - $5,700.00
Raymond Urban-6.0 ac - $1,140.00

Total LFC Acres = 222
Total LFC dollar allocation = $42,180.00
 

Rationale:  Laura Brandl   Septic System Inspection & Upgrade   $3,300
Mark Etling     Septic System Inspection & Upgrade   $3,300

Rationale:  No new information. 

Rationale:  On March 22, Elliiott and Mountford met with Matt Bailey and Colfax County Commissioner Carl Grotelueschen to inspect recent flood damages in the area and discussed potential future projects along Shell Creek.  It was good to see that our recent Shell Creek Stabilization Projects near Schuyler preformed as designed with no substantial damages.

 

Rationale:  Agency and Public Meetings where held on March 20th at Union Bank, Wahoo, to give an update and receive input on the planning process in the Wahoo Creek Watershed. This meeting had approximately 50 landowners in attendance. 

Attached is a $42,282.75 invoice and update from FYRA for review. After this payment there will be $159,542.98 remaining on our $574,990 contract.

Also attached is FYRA's draft  version of the language  for NRCS in Little Rock, AK,  explaining how we would like to proceed with indexing benefits for the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan. 

 

Rationale:  We are preparing a NDEQ grant reimbursement for 2018 Lands For Conservation Payments made to Wahoo Creek Landowners. 

Rationale:  Attached are two Olsson invoices totaling $66,289.04 ($65,921.20 & $367.84)  for contract work completed in the Wahoo Creek Watershed.  After this payment, there will be $1,892,863.22 remaining under contract.

Rationale:  FYRA continues to coordinate Buried Past findings and future requirements with NRCS.  No new invoice has been received from Buried Past. 

Rationale:  Interlocal agreements from Fremont, Schuyler and Upper Big Blue NRD have been signed and JEO was given a notice to proceed with those contract items (HMP update and flood risk assessments and mitigation). 

Rationale:  There has been substantial damages from flooding throughout the district. We have been inundated with questions about what kinds of assistance is available for cleanup and repairs to farms, homes and projects.  LPNNRD staff has been very busy inspecting damaged areas and meeting with emergency managers, city & county personnel, federal and state agency representatives, dike & drainage district representatives, homeowner associations, and landowners on what kinds of assistance will be available and how it can be obtained.  Agencies like FSA, NRCS and FEMA (NEMA) have emergency programs that can assist, but these groups are still in the process of working out details on how these programs will be administered to the public.  LPNNRD is working with the USACE on coordinating funding and repair activities on our sponsored Clear Creek Levee Project that received substantial damage. While LPNNRD has some local funds for repairing our sponsored projects, the amount is very small compared to what will be required. We do not have emergency repair programs to handle the type of flood damages incurred district-wide. We will continue to work with all damaged parties and assist in directing damaged parties to the appropriate federal, state and local funding sources.
Projects Information as we know:
Dan Wolf Platte River Bank stabilization Project 1994 near Richland is gone; Shell Creek Stabilization Projects near Schuyler have no substantial damage; Schuyler Levee - no damage; McGinn Lakes - the P. River created a new channel which threatens the North Bend Cut-off Ditch; North Bend Levee - uncertain about any breaches; Morse Bluff Levee breach threatened Hwy 79; Cotterell Levee - report of no damage; Ames Levee - breach on the west end which threatens the Central cut-off ditch; Fremont & lake developments estimates to repair $4.3 million; Rod & Gun Club Lake breach that went through Co. Rd 19; Rawhide Ditch 8 - East end - Elkhorn River overtopped and has not been inspected; Elkhorn Breakout - Unknown; Leshara Levee has breaches; Platte Valley Levee has breaches; Clear Creek Levee has breaches and the District is working with the COE on temporary measures; Camp Ashland may be a total loss; Guard Camp Fuse Plug washed out as designed; Lake Ventura has sustained damage on the north side of the lake and will focus their immediate attention on needed repairs there.
 

Rationale: 
JEO inspected Lake Ventura earlier this week and reports that there is substantial erosion damage along the north side of the lake.  They will  focus their immediate attention on needed repairs there before addressing the south erosion damage which appears to not have increased significantly.  More information is pending. 

Rationale:  Attached find a quote from Meeco Sullivan for a dock for Pork Chop Island. Meeco Sullivan has the current State of Nebraska bid for dock systems.

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.