December 14, 2020 at 1:30 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:  Director Hilger can report on the Special Board Meeting of the NARD Risk Pool held December 11th.  A motion could be forthcoming to ratify the resolution signed by the NARD Risk Pool board representative.  

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Board Meeting Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  As mentioned to the board via e-mail, the Governor has once again approved the use of video/teleconference as a means of conducting all our committee and board meetings.  This order was effective December 1st and will continue until January 31st.  This will allow us to utilize Zoom for our February committees scheduled for January 28th if we choose to do so.

Rationale:  With the return to Zoom board meetings, is there any interest in providing educational programs for the months of December and January?

Rationale:  Attached are tentative dates and times for our 2021 Committee and Board Meetings.  Please note these dates are subject to change.

January Committee Schedule
Wednesday, December 30th - Projects Committee - 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday, December 30th, Water Committee - 7:30 a.m. 
Wednesday, December 30th, Operations Committee - 9:00 a.m. 
Wednesday, December 30th, Executive Committee - 10:00 a.m. 
 

Rationale:  Attached find an updated Retainer Agreement with Bromm, Lindahl, Freeman-Cady & Lausterer. Commencing January 1, 2021 and will terminate January 2022.

Rationale:  Annual Officer Election is to take place in January. The Nominating Sub-Committee is composed of our immediate board chairpersons currently serving on the NRD Board who are: Birkel, Hannah, Hilger and Saalfeld. A policy has been adopted to guide the Nominating sub-committee through their assigned process which is attached. The Board Chair is to appoint a Chair from the pool of sub-committee members with the sub-committee secretary to record minutes for inclusion into the January board agenda packet.

Rationale:  We received 21 applications for our Education Coordinator position and interviewed six very qualified individuals.  I made the decision to offer the position to Sydney Abbott of Wahoo and she has accepted.  Sydney's first day will be Monday December 7th.  Sydney has a bachelor's degree in  Sustainability and Natural Sciences and is currently working with the Wahoo NRCS office as Soil Conservationist.  She has education experience working with individuals of all ages and is pursuing her Master's Degree in Natural Resources Sciences with an emphasis in Human Dimensions.  I believe Sydney's passion for education and her conservation-minded attitude will make her an excellent addition to our staff.

Rationale:  With the news of  Ashley Keeler leaving this position, Luz Schafersman (the past field office assistant) notified me she would be interested in returning to LPNNRD and her old position.  After discussing with Jovan and Gene, I made the decision not to advertise the opening and re-hire Luz Schafersman as our Dodge County NRCS  Field Office Assistant.

Rationale:  Grant will be available to review our October Financial Statement via zoom at 10:30 a.m. 

Rationale:  There is no unfinished business to discuss.

Rationale:  There are no items to discuss.

Rationale:  The O & M crew has been working on shoreline erosion issues on the east side of Lake Wanahoo. Shoreline erosion is threatening the hiking trail. We took the Homestead dock out, the last time it was taken out might have been 4 or 5 years ago. We continue to clear volunteer trees at Homestead and Czechland Lakes.

Rationale:  We will be scheduling a final inspection with the Corps on the final minor repairs, possibly next week. The Corps is working on the final contract closeout with the contractor. The Corps has not paid the contractor as they are waiting on final As-Built drawings and surveys.

Rationale:  Valley Corp or sub-contractor moved in last week on the east side at the back of the Wanahoo Dam. They put together and filled Polymer mattresses with gabion stone which has been completed (photo attached). Valley Corp is planning on mobilizing next week. A pre-construction meeting is planned for December 14th at 10:30 it will be available via Zoom.
Find attached an invoice from FYRA for their construction services.

Rationale:  The partners (Papio, LPSNRD, LPNNRD) continue to work with the Corps of Engineers and the National Guard on updating easements. The Corps is working on maps, and legal descriptions. Both the Corps and National Guard will be working on making the 25 year permanent easements to perpetual easements (easement attached). Tentatively the Corps said the O & M Manual may be finished in early 2021. We have monthly virtual meetings to keep this process going.

At motion will be needed at Board Meeting if we wish to approve these easements/addendums.

Rationale:  Heimann and Mountford met with Bob Sullivan, P.E. with NRCS on Cottonwood 21-A. We (NRD) have filled out and will send a Dam Assessment application to the NRCS for this high hazard dam and Cottonwood 7-A (Czechland). The assessment if approved is worth $40,000. The District would then hire a consultant to do an evaluation on the dams. The evaluations will look at structural conditions and any potential scope of any needed rehabilitation. This evaluation may tell us whether or not we have an issue with the emergency spillway on Cottonwood 21-A.

Rationale:  The Corps of Engineers has sent an electronic draft of the Fremont 205 Non-Structural Study for all partners review. They will start the public review period for December 14 - January 25, 2021. A public meeting date been set for January 13, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The draft study was emailed to all directors.

Rationale:  To date the camping revenue the District has received  from Czechland Lake is $18,061. This is for the calender year, basically March - November 

Rationale:  American Legion Post 73 in Newman Grove is requesting reimbursement for their tree planting project at the RollCall Veterans Memorial. Wilke Landscape provided and planted eight trees (attached picture & invoice). The invoice for the trees and planting is $1,025.31. Our Community Forestry Program pays 50% up to $1,000.

Rationale:  Dan Ourada paid the District $2,692.80 for just under 60 tons of hay at Czechland. Ourada's bid was $45/ton.

Meduna Family Farms paid the District $18,029.30 for 260.65 tons of hay at Lake Wanahoo. The early cutting produced 36.18 tons and the later cutting 224.47 tons. Meduna's bid was $69.17/ton.

Heimann and Mountford figured the amount owed the Natural Resources Commission is $8,438.24. This information will be sent to the Commission for their review.

Rationale:  Nothing to report.

Rationale:  For the month of November, the District received $778.25 in park entry permit revenue. Of that, $360.00 is from annual park permit sales. The YTD annual permit total is $96,317.50. The YTD park entry permit sales total $121,118.04

Our 2019 totals for November were $52.50 and the YTD annual permit total was $82,252.50.

Rationale:  For the month of November, the District received $1,015.00 in camping revenue. The YTD total is 149,229.93.

Rationale:  During the month of November, the building was rented 12 times. Of these, 3 were NRD meetings, and 2 were school groups or youth organizations.
Revenue for month of November was $520
Full Rental: 4
Day Rental: 4
Night Rental: 4
4 cancelations for November due to COVID concerns and updated Directed Health Measures (25% capacity).

Rationale:  KTIC Radio ad for November featured the voluntary cost-share program available to landowners in the Shell Creek Watershed to upgrade septic systems that have an open discharge (see attached).

Wahoo Newspaper eAd attached for the month of November featured tree and shrub orders now available.

Rationale:  LPNNRD Website: The number of users has declined in November. Our Forestry page has seen an increase in views (117 views, just under Staff page views) for the first time since May which means people are looking at trees and shrubs from our recent Facebook/Twitter posts and the Wahoo Newspaper e-Ad.

LPNNRD Website	# of Users	Top Pages/views	Viewing Device
October 2019	710	Home 543 Lake Wanahoo 355 Staff 121 Czechland Lake 100 Contact 95	Desktop 58.73% Mobile 34.48% Tablet 4.79%
October 2020	1,348	Home 822 Lake Wanahoo 717 Board of Directors 477 Downloads 152 Czechland Lake 144	Desktop 50.07% Mobile 46.07% Tablet 3.86%
November 2020	906	Home 692 Lake Wanahoo 254 Board of Directors 201 Downloads 165 Staff 121	Desktop 56.18% Mobile 39.85% Tablet 3.97%

Facebook top posts:
1. LPNNRD Accepting tree orders for spring. (This post included a link to the forestry page on our website that had 18 clicks from Facebook) Total views of 475
2. Last of the 12 responsibilities of the LPNNRD- erosion prevention. Total views of 338
3. November board meeting-date/time reminder. Total views of 279
Changing algorithms in Facebook may have contributed to difference in views from this year to last year. Last year we had 9 posts in the month of November, this year we posted 16 times.


 

Facebook	Total Views	Total Reach	Total Engaged Users	Followers
October 2019	9,446	6,772	1,273	873
October 2020	4,798	4,159	217	1,190
November 2020	3,108	2,843	72	1,192

Twitter top posts:
1. Last of the 12 responsibilities of the LPNNRD- erosion prevention. Total views of 888
2. LPNNRD is accepting tree orders. (This post included a link to the forestry page on our website that had 4 clicks from Twitter) Total views of 717
3. Nitrogen/Water Management classes released, encouraging online testing. Total views of 418

In November 2019, we shared 15 tweets. In November 2020, we shared 14 tweets. And we lost one follower from last month.

Twitter	Impressions	Engagements	Followers
October 2019	3,707	61	300
October 2020	3,248	102	335
November 2020	4,396	85	334

Rationale: 

Date	School/Group	Grade	# of Students	Topic	Staff
11/3 and 11/6	St. Wenceslaus	Pre-K	23	Trees	Sabatka
11/4	Newman Grove	8th	12	LPNNRD Departments/Natural Resources Careers via Zoom	Sabatka
11/4	Newman Grove	High School Natural Resources class	4	LPNNRD Departments/Natural Resources Careers via Zoom	Sabatka

Rationale:  Meters read and bills mailed out 11/30.

Rationale:  The five backflow prevention devices have been checked and reports will be distributed to all required parties.
Meters read and bills mailed out 11/30.

Rationale:  Richard and Kelly Bartek have submitted a variance request to increase the number of acres on well G-072864 without increasing the consumptive use. The well is located in the NW1/4SE1/4 of S10-T13N-R8E, Saunders County. The well currently irrigates 66.85 acres in the same section. The maximum amount of water they would be able to pump in a three year period would be 1804.95 acre inches. They expect to add 60-70 acres across the county road to the south in S15-T13N-R8E.

Rationale:  Committee Discussion

• Committee and Board need to evaluate the funding priority as for the nitrate issues or water use.  
• Need to see if a grant will be received before moving forward
• Need to get the process started and be pro-active
• Need to consider cost-sharing to convert gravity fields to more efficient systems. Coordinate with NRCS with NRD assisting in funding. 
• it is important to get public input but is the timing right. 
• Need more public education.

Staff has assembled information for the Committee to review.   By table below it shows about 2855 meters that need to be installed.

Quote seen at a water conference "If water is not measured it can't be managed."
 

County	# of Meters Installed	# of Meters needed
Boone/Madison	83	190 (187 approx.)
Colfax	136	510 (505 approx.)
Platte	356	415 (408 approx.)
Butler	117	480 (473 approx.)
Dodge	113	510 (504 approx.)
Saunders	222	750 (741 approx.)

If there are any excess funds available some of it could potentially be used to install a broad network of soil moisture monitoring equipment throughout the LPNNRD to monitor in season soil conditions which would help potentially in drought scenarios where an irrigation scheduling approach might be necessary to not extensively deplete the aquifer. The excess funds could also potentially go towards decommissioning wells that are no longer in use. There is potential that the well decommissioning program will ramp up if meters are required district wide. 

1. $2.75-$2.9 million would be needed if we cost shared at $1,000 per flow meter
2. $1.375-$1.450 million would be needed if we cost shared at $500 per flow meter

****The variation in the amounts is solely because of the high volume of wells in the thinner aquifer areas that used for  gravity and pivot irrigation. The exact configuration on each well has variability. There is also the possibility that many wells are no longer used which should be decommissioned. If they are unused wells they either need to be decommissioned or the pump needs to be pulled and the well should be listed as inactive.  There is high volume of wells located in the thinner aquifer areas that are using gravity and pivot irrigation.

Committee Meetings Discussion:

• Is Status Quo good water management? 
• Are Water Flow Meters and/or Allocations the right management tool?
• Is collecting good and accurate data a justification for flow meters?
• Is Water Flow Meters just the cost of doing business?
• Do we need grant money to proceed?
• Starting and Ending Date?
• Grants usually only go for 3 years and normally 2.
• Grants usually are designed for a designated management area.
• All High Capacity Wells including livestock and industrial?

Timetable Discussion from Committee Meeting:

• Year 1 - All wells in Nitrate Management Areas
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 2 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 2 - Dodge, Colfax and Butler County
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 3 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 3 - Platte, Boone and Madison
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 4 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 4 - Saunders County 
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, 
• After the fifth year no cost share available and all meters not installed would be required to install at their cost.

LPNNRD could set a date that all high capacity wells are required to have meters during the fifth year.  

Meter Details (this would stay the same)

• Meter Installation handled by Private Companies
• Meter Maintenance will be contracted out with about 1000 meters a year.  LPNNRD would be budgeting about  $75,000 per year.

The purpose of installing flow meters for the LPNNRD is to get a better understanding of sustainable aquifers for future generations.   This will also allow the LPNNRD to be pro-active instead of re-active if water consumption becomes an issue.  A producer can utilize the flow meter on how the well is actually performing and increase irrigation management efficiency.  The Committee recommended to start setting aside funding, like $200,000 a year, into a sinking fund for the purpose of a grant match.

Points to be considered:

Per GW Rules and Regulations
"Assessment of percentage drop will be calculated utilizing the spring readings of District monitoring wells over a consecutive three (3) year period assessed against the 1987 baseline groundwater levels or a more recent baseline year groundwater level."

If we follow the rule above and spring levels 2021 meet the criteria, it would be the Spring of 2024 before the process of installing meters would be begin.  Meters would be installed fall/winter 2024 with allocations potentially in place for crop year 2025.  Could we get 2500 meters installed in a short time span? Would that be sufficient in a multi-year drought?  Would there be enough data to set a sufficient allocation?

If cost-share is given this could be a $500,000 budgeted item for 4-5 years.  That could potentially mean increasing property tax requirement with or without grants.  Also there would be a continuous budget item of $100,000 for meter maintenance.  Another thing that might be necessary is more employees for compliance.and meter upkeep. 

If the Board decides to proceed a hearing would be required.  Do we want public input and should these meetings be District wide?   Logistics of putting on a public meetings at this time?  Groundwater Rules and Regulation change?  Can a hearing be done virtually?

Include other wells that pump over 50 GPM other than irrigation?  NRD jurisdiction for compliance on other wells? Does the Committee want to consider an allocation at the same time like 40 inches over 3 years?

Options:

>To recommend to the Board to start the process of requiring water flow meters on all wells and/or series of wells pumping over 50 GPM by May 1, 2024 with staff applying for grants for assistance and following a time table utilizing management areas and county boundaries.

>To recommend to the Board to proceed on requiring water flow meters on all wells and/or series of wells pumping over 50 GPM by May 1, 2022 within the Water Quality Management Areas and wait on proceeding with the other parts of the District.  

>To recommend to the Board to proceed on requiring water flow meters on all wells and/or series of wells pumping over 50 GPM by May 1, 2022 within the Water Quality Management Areas and areas of the District that reach D2 Drought Stage within a 12 month period.

>Stay with status quo.

Other Suggestions or Options?

Rationale:  As the WSF grant was approved last month with Papio and DNR an interlocal agreement with Papio NRD is attached for Board approval and signature. The total project cost will be $306,000 with $168,000 being funded by the WSF grant.  The LPN share will not exceed $45,200 with the first payment of $22,600 due by June 30, 2021. 

Using the same methodology that was applied to develop the LE NRD’s Framework will provide PMR NRD and LPN NRD with a consistent and comprehensive assessment and deliverable that will include the most
recent data and make it useable between NRD boundaries. The 3D geologic model created from the AEM data will be delivered in a user-friendly platform that can be utilized by the PMR NRD and LPN NRD staff, management, and board members; regulators; producers and other high-capacity water users; public water suppliers; and, the general public for future groundwater quality and quantity evaluations, resource management, and educational purposes.

Rationale:  An invoice for $5,677.00 is attached per contract with LRE/JEO.

Activities this last month included: 

• Completion of the SWB model and discussion on land covers to be applied;
• Corresponding with LPN NRD staff;
• Initial review of the AEM flight lines compared to borehole well logs;
• LRE internal meetings on input layers; and,
• Developed draft prototype tool for future demo.

Rationale:  327 kits have been sent out.

Rationale:  The flow meter maintenance for year 1 has been sent to Tri City to do their annual maintenance. Attached is the schedule of meters to be maintained (2020-2024). 

Rationale: 

2020 is the eighteenth year for this Phase 2 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 10.01 to 15 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 15 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)	14% (44 of 107)	26%
2014	0 to 22.3 ppm	51% (55 of 108)	13% (14 of 108)	18% (39 of 108)	20%
2015	0 to 32.3 ppm	43% (31 of 72)	8% (6 of 72)	14% (35 of 72)	33%
2016	0 to 35.1 ppm	34% (25 of 74)	11% (8 of 74)	26% (41 of 74)	26%
2017	0 to 23.5 ppm	36% (27 of 74)	15% (11 of 74)	19% (36 of 74)	28%
2018	0 to 30.9 ppm	40% (25 of 63)	11% (7 of 63)	22% (31 of 63)	28%
2019	0 to 24.5 ppm	46% (22 of 48)	10% (5 of 48)	28% (21 of 48)	22%
2020	0.08 to 20.5	33% (19 of 58)	14% (8 of 58)	34% (20 of 58)	19% (11 of 58)

All sample results from Lab have been received and sent to producers.

Rationale: 

2020 is the fifth year of this Phase 3 Area.  Committee discussed splitting the Phase area and moving part of this area into Phase 4.  Staff is hoping that a lot of data will be analyzed in the next couple of months.

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)	30% (150 of 241)	31%
2013	0 to 94.0 ppm	25% (63 of 252)	9% (23 of 252)	31% (166 of 252)	36%
2014	0 to 101.0 ppm	27% (68 of 251)	9% (22 of 251)	27% (161 of 251)	37%
2015	0 to 53.3 ppm	23% (55 of 238)	12% (29 of 238)	25% (154 of 238)	41%
2016	0 to 50.5 ppm	25% (58 of 228)	10% (22 of 228)	26% (148 of 228)	40%
2017	0 to 53.4 ppm	25% (60 of 238)	6% (14 of 238)	29% (164 of 238)	41%
2018	0 to 56.9 ppm	26.5% (50 of 189)	6.3% (12 of 189)	25% (127 of 189)	42%
2019	0 to 39.4 ppm	25% (53 of 209)	11% (22 of 209)	23% (134 of 209)	42%
2020	0 to 50.8 ppm	26% (67 of 257)	5% (14 of 257)	26% (66 of 257)	43% (110 of 257)

All sample results from Lab have been received and sent to producers.  Four water sample bottles were delivered to Mark Horejsi on July 31, 2020.  These have not yet been returned.  Staff has contacted Horejsi several times.

Rationale:  A list of Nitrogen Classes for 2021.

Rationale:  Staff at Lower Platte North assisted with a water sampling event with UNL.  Sampling included Ca, Mg, S, Cl, B, K, Mn, Mo and N.  Attached are the results from all the NRDs throughout the State.  Charles Wortmann - UNL will be presenting at the Committee Meeting to discuss the results.

Charles Wortmann Comments to the Committee

• Inhibitors probably is not the best tool for nitrate leaching.
• Consider incentive program on reducing nitrate applications below UNL recommendations
• UNL is reconsidering manure application credits, as more credits might need to be considered.
• Encourage split applications by analyzing the crop in season.  

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

 

Rationale:     For Committee Information:

Per our discussion, I am sending you this email.

            We potentially have a client that would like to determine whether it is possible to use certain water sources, located in the NRD, for industrial purposes. If it is possible, we would also like to know what actions need to be taken in order to use such sources.
            One water source would be one of the Bellwood Reservoirs. The proposed uses of the source would be for dust control, during project construction. Also, as a backup source for conducting hydrotesting (this verifies construction integrity of the project structure i.e. verifying that there are no leaks). The projected amount of water to be used is approximately 10.7 million gallons. Use would begin approximately on or after 6/1/21 and continue throughout the 2021 construction season. We understand that the NRD has the water rights for the particular reservoir, and that there may be landowners that are using water, from the particular reservoir, for irrigation purposes. We also understand that our client would be responsible for agreements that may be necessary with landowners, to obtain access to the particular reservoir.
            Another source would be an irrigation well. The purposed uses would be for dust control and horizontal directional drilling. The projected amount of water to be used would be approximately 8.3 million gallons. The timeframe for use would again begin approximately on or after 6/1/21 and continue through the 2021 construction season. We understand that our client will be responsible for reaching an agreement with the landowner that has the irrigation well.
            Per our discussion, I understand that this request is something that would be first considered by the NRD’s water committee. We would like for this to be on the water committee’s meeting for January. I would be happy to attend by Zoom if possible, to further discuss this. Please let me know when the January meeting would be and the procedures to attend the meeting by Zoom.
            Thank you for your assistance and consideration.
 
Steve
Steven P. Case
Attorney

Phone: 402.633.1479
Mobile: 402.681.6417
Fax: 402.952.1879
Email address: scase@mcgrathnorth.com

McGrath | North First National Tower | Suite 3700 | 1601 Dodge St. | Omaha, NE 68102
 

Rationale:  No unfinished business to discuss.

Rationale:  None.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Construction activiites are underway with the possiblity for a December completion, weather permitting.

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  Allan Zimmerman: Sec 19-18-3E:  Solar Well and Livestock tanks - $12,598.32
Reece Klug: Septic System upgrade: $4,800.00

Rationale:  Jerry Korte - Septic System Upgrade - $4,800.00

Rationale:  Director Bailey reported that Pruss Construction has finished with channel improvements and benching north of the U.P. Railroad Bridge at Colfax county road 15 and is moving toward completing the channel/benching project south of the bridge.  The U.P. is beginning activities to replace their railroad bridge at this location and plans to have the entire replacement complete by April, 2021.  While LPNNRD is not directly involved with U.P.'s replacement of their bridge on county road 14, that project should be completed the week of December 7 - 11.

Rationale:  Attached is FYRA's $4,596.25 invoice for contracted economics work for the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan. After this payment, $73,341.75 will remain under contract.

There was a cultural resource dam site 83 revisit with NRCS and Indian tribe representatives on December 2, but this was canceled due to illness of tribe representatives. 

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  No new information or invoice at this time.

Rationale:  We continue to assist Fremont, Dodge County and other partners with various grant applications. We also learned from NRCS that Dodge County received a $745,000 Watershed Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) federal grant for completing a watershed study to analyze flood reduction opportunities for the Rawhide Creek Drainage, Dodge County.  While Dodge County is the leading entity for completing this plan, LPNNRD will be closely assisting with this effort. Attached is a summary of the status other grant applications.

Rationale:  As reported earlier, our District-wide Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved by NEMA/FEMA and JEO continues to round up adoption resolutions from participating plan entities. To date, 41 of 55 have approved formal resolutions and JEO will continue to follow-up with the remaining 14 to get this completed (attachment). 

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  As attached, Steven Case, attorney who represents Keystone XL pipeline, is exploring water sources for the pipeline establishment though Butler County in 2021. One source they are looking at is water from one of our Bellwood Watersehd Flood Reduction dams.  Since LPNNRD holds the surface water rights impounded by the 13 Bellwood watershed dams, he is asking if we would consider allowing them to pump an estimated 10.7 million gallons for hydrotesting pipes (checking for leaks) and for dust control from Bellwood dam 5H.  This is the first third party request to pump water from one of our reservoirs and the first for industrial purposes.  While LPNNRD holds the surface water rights for our dams, it was discussed that we would need to be very cautious to allow such an activity by a third party without support of all landowners with the permanent pool on their property.  Another concern is that Bellwood structure 5H, is 50 years old and much of the available permanent pool has been replaced by sedimentation. About 45 years ago, we allowed one landowner at this dam site to pump from the reservoir for irrigation purposed in the past, but it appears this is no longer occurring. Mr. Case is also exploring working with a landowner to use 8.3 million gallons from an irrigation well in the area that was discussed with the Water Committee. 

Mr. Case joined the committee via Zoom to discuss this request and answer questions. The committee will have open discussion at the December 14 Board Meeting and potentially make a decision at that time.
 

Rationale:  As discussed last month, Sanitary & Improvement District No.8 (Woodcliff) has submitted assistance requests for project repair of their existing bank stabilization project and roadway, and also for a new road raise project at the same location (letter attached).  LPNNRD first learned of these projects last month and that construction was nearing completion on portions of the projects.  LPNNRD policy requires that assistance requests need approval prior to work being completed.

S.I.D. No. 8's  first request is for assistance on the local share for repairing 2019 flood damages to their bank stabilization project.  Their letter stated that they are working with FEMA/NEMA to receive up to 87.5% federal/state cost share assistance for damage repairs on the bank stabilization and roadway. Also included in this portion of this effort is additional road protection along an area by their lagoons and emergency protective measures. FEMA/NEMA's estimated contribution is $822,194 toward the repair,with the SID's estimated local 12.5% stated as $137,032.   

The S.I.D.'s second request is for $400,000, which is 50% of an estimated $800,000 for a road raise flood risk reduction project (engineering and construction).  This project is not receiving FEMA/NEMA funding. It was noterd that about 75% of this project is complete and scheduled to be finished in the Spring 2021. Project plans, specifications and bid tabulation can be observed at https://we.tl/t-cwSnCoLVuk. 

Jake Miriovsky, JEO project engineer, and  Lonnie Mart, S.I.D. representative, attended the Projects Committee meeting (Zoom) to provide project details and present their assistance requests. JEO's pdf presentation is attached for review. The committee had much discussion about potential cost share amounts that might be considered by LPNNRD, but requested project plans, specifications and bid tabulations that can be reviewed for open discussion at the December 14 Board meeting. A potential Board motion may possibly be made at that time.

 

Rationale:  New Branch Farms Inc. have completed their well decommissions on two of their wells in Saunders County S33-T15N-R8E (G-047089 & G037726).  The reimbursement amount for each well is $1,000 (capped limit) .

Recommended Motion - To approve payment of $2,000 to New Branch Farms Inc. for decommissioning two wells Saunders County S33-T15N-R8E (G-047089 & G037726).

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.