August 29, 2019 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  19-S-7   Pamela Goudie (Saunders - Cottonwood 8-D) TOT $12,500.00

Rationale:  None.

Rationale:  None.

Rationale:  None.

Rationale:  John Sonderman Septic Inspection & Upgrade        $3,300 (60% up to $3,300)
 

Rationale:  As reported last month, we have closed out the old Shell Creek 319 grant and are awaiting a new agreement from NDEE to receive another $250,000 for helping additional water quality projects in the Shell Creek Watershed.  These funds will accompany the already approved $104,688 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

Rationale:  We have had continued discussiion with the U.P. Railroad and Colfax County about U.P.s plan to replace their Shell Creek bridge at county road 15.  U.P. has indicated that they are ready to move forward with bridge design as their  desire is to complete the bridge replacement in 2020.  U.P. said they will complete two bridge designs, a 130' and a 200' bridge.  Which design is used is dependent on LPNNRD and Colfax County completing an Interlocal agreement for completing channel improvements and benching north and south of the replacement bridge.  Director Bailey and Mountford meet with the Colfax County Attorney, Road Superintendent and Assistant along with  Commissioner Carl Groteluschen on August 22nd to draft an Interlocal Agreement that was to be approved at Colfax County's August 27th meeting.  The Colfax County Attorney has been working with our attorney ,Jovan Lausterer, on the finial document. The Projects committee is asked to recommend moving approval of the final Interlocal to the full Board.   The proposal discussed was for Colfax County to take the project lead and provide all engineering services and obtain land rights needed to complete the entire channel improvement and benching project. LPNNRD is being asked to handle the channel improvements and benching costs outside of county right-of-way, estimated at $600,000.  Of this amount, NDEE has indicated they will contribute $150,000 leaving up to $450,000 contribution for LPNNRD.  LPNNRD has reaffirmed our support toward this effort on August 12th. 

Rationale:  FYRA continues to work with NRCS on completing the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan.  We have requested them to have all portions of the draft plan to the NRCS State Office by November, 2019.  FYRA has reported that during this past invoicing period, they attended the LPNNRD Board meeting to provide an update on the project and coordinated with NRCS Lincoln staff on cultural resources, economics, threatened and endangered species, and prime and unique farmland. They also worked on required project maps related to the floodplain, analyzed the effects on public health and safety, and worked on the economics calculations and discussion based on feedback provided by national NRCS staff.  Sections of the Plan-EA were also provided to NRCS Lincoln staff for review and invoicing and schedule updates occurred. Attached is FYRA's recent invoice totaling $9,101.60 that is 100% reimbursable from NRCS. After this payment, $49,679.36 remains under contract. 

As an essential part of completing a viable watershed plan, we are planning for the Saunders County September 10, 2019, Public Hearing on the establishment of the Wahoo Creek Dam Breach Overlay District in the areas below the eleven planned dams. The hearing will be in conjunction with Saunders County's Supervisor's meeting at the Courthouse starting at 9:30 a.m. 

We received an invoice from JEO  in the amount of $1,350 for contract work in preparation for establishing our needed Dam Breach Overlay District (bill is attached). 

Rationale:  Chris Poole has submitted on final reimbursement request to NDEE (Wahoo Creek Phase II Implementation - Part A) totaling $40,872.86 for future Lands for Conservation Payments These payments will be made after all summer conservation practices are completed.  We will now move into Wahoo Creek Phase II Implementation - Part B (attached) that will provide $200,000 for EPA 319 funding along with $90,000 from NET for future water quality conservation work in Wahoo Creek.  The Board previously authorized Chair Ruzicka to sign the grant agreement. 

Rationale:  Attached is the August 13, 2019, invoice from Olsson totaling $6,809.58 earmarked toward geotechnical work at dam sites 26a., 26b. and 27.  After this payment there will be $1,820,941.38 remaining under contract.  

Rationale:  JEO has asked Brian Newton, Bob Misle and Mountford to meet with them on September 12 to update and review the process of the funding applications.

Rationale:  Attached is an invoice totaling $24,977.50 from JEO for contract  work completed on our Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) update.  Of this invoice,   75% of the $24,977.50 ($18,733,13) is reimbursable from (NEMA/FEMA) and 25% of the $9,375 ( $2,343.75)  will be reimbursed from Fremont and  25% of the invoiced $6,875 ($1,718.75) will be reimbursed from Schuyler. 
After this payment, $178,500 will remain under JEO's contract. Public meetings are scheduled at 7:00 p.m. at the Wahoo Public Library on September 19 and at the David City Public Library at 7:00 p.m., September 24th. 


Becky Appleford with JEO will give an educational program on our HMP at the September 9th Board meeting. 

Rationale:  As reported earlier this year, March floods totally destroyed an 8 Jetty Platte River Bank Stabilization Project that LPNNRD sponsored in 1994.  This project was located approximately four miles south of Richland along the North bank of the Platte River.  Flooding also washed out the landowners levee/road and left sand on 400 - 500 acres of prime farmland. In addition, there was much damage to Colfax County roads.  This week, high Platte River flows once again passed through this area and washed out County road 5a.  LPNNRD has inspected the area with  FEMA and USACE officials.  In 1994, the 8 Jetty project costing $110,000 was constructed with NRCS assistance (75%) with the local 25% costs being shared by LPNNRD, the landowner and Colfax County.  At this time it is unknown who may partner on this repair or where the funding will come from, but ball park total cost estimates are $500,000 - $1,000,000 but could be even higher.