February 25, 2021 at 9:00 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We have no unfinished business to attend to.

Rationale:  Follow up to our Wanahoo Wildlife Areas meeting between NE Game & Parks, Pheasants Forever & LPNNRD.  Please see attached map for reference.
1) Since we haven't burned for two years, the goal is to burn the entire west half of Section 15 (CS-6 thru CS-11).
2) Priority areas for contracted tree clearing, these include selective tree clearing in WD-5 using basal treatment or other methods, tree removal around the fringes of the WT-1-3 wetlands, CS-1-3 boundaries and CS-9 east boundary. Luedtke will work on specifications and a draft cost-share agreement, similar to what we did at Homestead & Czechland Lakes.
3) Volunteer Day using Pheasant Forever Chapters to clear trees in CS 15, CR-1-3 and CS-14 lake shores. Sydney will possibly coordinate this with "Trail Days" June 5th.
4) Luedtke will redraft the 5-year plan for 2022-2026.

Rationale:  The O & M crew worked on equipment, vehicles & building. We worked on opening one of the Wanahoo gates to release water to lower the lake level.

Rationale:  The Corps of Engineers has received the final "As-Builts" and Survey from the contractor. They will finalize the close-out of the project soon.

Rationale:  Valley Corps was shut down during the cold spell. They restarted Thursday, February 18th installing the sheet pile and completed that Friday. They will be drilling through the basin floor on Thursday, Feb. 25th. The plan is to pump grout under the basin floor the next week. Until then they will remove rip-rap and mud that is obstructing the downstream channel. We have opened a gate to the dam to lower the lake level to try and prevent it from flowing over the weir. Please refer to FYRA's One Drive website portal that is email to you from Eric Suing for updates.

Attached is this months invoice from FYRA for the Wanahoo Basin. 

Rationale:  The District has a contract with Olsson to monitor the Wanahoo Dam. Here is information on what has been found regarding the pressure relief wells.

• In most cases, the largest decrease in flow is found in the bottom 10 feet of the wells. This flow comes from the lower aquifer. Flows at depths from 0 to 60 feet are generally similar to previous measurements.
• The camera shows minerals/bacteria buildup in the top 40 to 50 feet of each well. At depths greater than 50 feet the well casing clears up. At these depths, it is likely the filter pack has buildup slowing flow.
• The piezometers show slight increase in elevation at wells located around the old channel and existing outlet structure. These increase range from 0.3 to 1.5ft (one well) above previous measurements at comparable dates.
• Although the piezometric elevation has increase around the outlet, all piezometers are still below the yellow flag (caution) levels. In most cases, a foot or more below. This means the dam is not endanger of imminent failure.
• Even though the greatest reduction in relief well flow is in the lower aquifer, the piezometric elevations of the low aquifer have not changed. The clogging of the wells has not impacted the lower aquifer. It is likely that the low aquifer is not as influenced by the dam as was once believed.
• The constructed pressure relief well system likely exceeded the needed capacity of the dam, thus the minimal increase in groundwater elevations due to well clogging.
• Our cleaning plan is to focus on wells 22A, 34, and 35 as test wells. They are accessible and have nearby piezometers. Once initial cleaning is complete, the wells should have pump tests and velocity tests performed to measure effectiveness.  In addition the nearby piezometers will be measured before and after to measure effectiveness.

Sean Parks and Andrew Phillips met with Tim Gokie, Dam Safety and discussed the pressure relief wells. To summarize, the pressure relief wells flows are slower but the piezometers are showing safe groundwater pressures. The pressure relief wells will need to be cleaned to allow them to continue to operate as intended. Tim was happy with the meeting and our findings and agreed that they should be cleaned but understands the dam is safe. We reached out to Sargent Drilling and Williamson Drilling (original installer). Sargent said the wells were to small of diameter for them to clean but Williamson said they are interested. Still waiting on a fee estimate from Williamson (per well) that we can use to estimate a budget. I am wrapping up the instrumentation memo that will include our recommendations on the pressure relief well cleanout. I’ll reach back out to you once we get the pricing from Williamson

Rationale:  The O & M Manual for the Clear Creek Levee has not yet been distributed.

Find attached the 25 year Easement between the Dept. of the Army, Lower Platte North and Lower Platte South NRD's for the  Flood Control Levee Rights-of-Way located on Camp Ashland, need a motion to approve this easement and ratification of the signatures.

Also attached is the updated O & M Addendum Interlocal Agreement between the Army National Guard, Papio-Missouri, Lower Platte South, and Lower Platte North NRD's in which changes were made to locations and responsibilities. Need a motion to approve this updated addendum and ratification of the signatures. 
 

Rationale:  The District has received 75% or $224,769.35 from FEMA/NEMA for the repair cost of Rawhide Ditch 8 which was due to the March, 2019 flood event.

Rationale:  Currently the District has ordered 8,700 trees and of those 3,480 will be planted by the District. We will continue to take orders through the month of March.

Rationale:  We are still waiting on a favorable response from FEMA on a grant regarding ice monitoring cameras and water level sensor.
The existing camera on the Hwy 64 bridge is still not functioning. We were told the issue is with Verizon's cell service and a new camera was ordered to be placed on the bridge.
Our partners are as frustrated as we with the company "Metos" with their service and equipment. We are considering looking into different companies and different equipment.

Rationale:  Since an ice jam has occurred and is present south of Fremont, Dodge County has asked about the Ice Jam Removal Agreement. We had a virtual meeting led by Marlin Peterman with the Papio NRD in which he explained the history of the agreement, details and process involved,and the risk.
If Dodge County has a strong interest in joining the compact there would have to be much discussion between the partners and possibly the contractor on how to go forward.

Rationale:  During the frigid temperatures of the weekend of Feb. 12-15th the District office had a water line freeze and pull apart on the south wall in the Board Room. The break occurred sometime Sunday night into Monday as it was discovered Monday (Holiday) afternoon. The water break flooded 75% of the office. A company, ServPro, was called in immediately to clean and dry out the building. An insurance adjustor has looked at the damage and we are moving forward with clean up and repairs.

Rationale:  We haven't received any request.

Rationale:  Gottschalk is preparing reimbursement payment to NRC for their share (60%) on hay and dirt sales from the Wanahoo property from June 2018 through December 2020.  A check for $44,293.50 will be submitted for payment at our March 8th board meeting.

Rationale:  For the month of February, as of 2/24, the District has received $5,402.50 in annual permit revenue. The year by year comparison is below.
 

Calender Year	Permits Sold	Monthly Sales	YTD Toals
2021	285	$5,402	$22,031.00
2020	351	$6,070.00	$22,185.00
2019	500	$9,677.50	$24,635.00

Rationale:  For the month of February, as of 2/24, the District has received $4,418.89 in online camping revenue.

Rationale:  Attached is a proposed Tree Recognition Application Form. Staff has been in contact with an individual who would like to have a tree planted at Wanahoo in memory of a coworker's parent. With the anticipation of similar requests, staff felt it necessary to create a procedure on how we will process these in the future. Staff will work with the applicant on the preferred location, tree type, planting, and upkeep. Applicants will be responsible for design and purchase of the recognition plaque, as well as the purchase of the tree to be planted. District staff will plant the tree if the size allows and provide the post for the plaque to be mounted to. 

Rationale:  Staff has been gathering information on the cost of installing a fish cleaning station near the boat ramp at Lake Wanahoo. We've reached out to JEO to give us an estimate on the design cost of the entire system. JEO designed the exact set up we would like to install at Lower Loup NRD's Davis Creek Reservoir. In the upcoming weeks, staff will discuss options for cost savings with JEO and begin the grant application process.  Other NRD's have applied, and been approved, for funds through a federal fisheries improvement grant that is administered through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. 

Attached is the initial draft quote of services to be provided from JEO, the original quote from the company supplying the fish cleaning station (dated 12/7/18), and pictures from the Davis Creek Reservoir fish cleaning station. 

Rationale:  The February KTIC Radio ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd are attached. These ads are promoting the availability of tree and shrub orders from the LPNNRD.
 

Rationale:  The 2020-21 winter issue of the Viaduct has been submitted for printing and distribution. And will be in newspapers this month. You can also view it on our website at https://lpnnrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2020-2021-Winter-Viaduct-for-website.pdf
 

Rationale:  The Pheasants Forever Lower Platte Chapter has sent a donation request for their annual banquet on April 16^th. They are requesting a $250 sponsorship. This will be their 21^st annual banquet, held at Camp Carol Joy Holling outside of Ashland. The goal of the banquet is to raise funds for conservation projects, youth mentored hunts and other projects in Saunders County and Nebraska.

In 2020, $250 was donated to the banquet in recognition of the partnership with the Pheasants Forever Lower Platte Chapter. 

Rationale:  Wild edible foods presentation went really well--kids seemed to enjoy learning about wild foods. We are scheduling the next meeting with Kyle Arp EMS captain in Wahoo; he will be going over first aid. 

East Butler test your well night and classroom presentation. Taught the kids what nitrates are, why we test for them, and how we test for them and then had the test your well night at East Butler last night.

Coffee, Lakeside's first event will be April Gardening Activities with Kathleen Cue. April 1st, 9 am.

March events: 4th grade every kid outdoor; survival club.
April events: Coffee, Lakeside; Nebraska Envirothon, survival club.
May events: Conservation Sensation; outdoor recreation day; Coffee, Lakeside (Migratory birds)
June events: Agriculture Tour, kids summer institute, Coffee, Lakeside (Fishes of Nebraska); National Trails Day

Rationale:  RWD staff was contacted by a landowner within the village of Colon that is planning on developing several lots in the northwest portion of town.  Currently there is only water service available to the south and east portions of the proposed development.  In order to provide proper service new water mains along the west and north blocks will need to be installed.  Elliott has been in contact with Dave Henke of JEO, who has been contracted by developer, as to what we will need.  Once designs have been drafted DHHS will need to review and approve.  All costs are to be covered by developer.

On 2/16 Elliott responded to two calls for frozen pipes in Colon, both calls were in buildings under construction that lost heat, but it appears that no damage was incurred to our infrastructure.

Meters will be read 2/26 and bills will go out 3/1.  Normal monthly sampling completed.
 

Rationale:  Meters will be read 2/26 and bills will go out 3/1.  Normal monthly sampling completed.