October 28, 2021 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

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Rationale:  There are several county and landowner projects underway or being planned. As reported last month, the Shell Creek South Channel Enhancement/Benching Project is planned to be completed this fall, after harvest. This portion of the project was initially estimated at around $225,000, of which LPNNRD paid $60,000 to Colfax County for work completed thus far.

JEO sent the attached $2,986  invoice and a progress report on updating the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan. After this payment, $7,831.50 will remain on our $31,630 contract. 

Another effort is a Shell Creek watershed survey which has been completed and attached.  Below are a few survey highlights:

• The response rate was 22% - this is great and meets industry standard. 93.5 % of respondents were male, 76.6% have farmed for 21 years or more. Or rented ground, 27.7% crop share land.  87.8% of respondents own some of the ground they farm. 46.6% of respondents identified themselves as neither early or late adopters of conservation practices.
• 17.7% of respondents are very concerned about water quality affecting their farm management.
• 32.6% of respondents were concerned about drinking water quality in the watershed.
• 67.4% currently implement BMPs, only 12.7% of respondents received a cost share payment for the BMP.
• 54.3% of respondents would be more likely to adopt/maintain a BMP if they knew it would improve their profitability. 46.9% of respondents would be more likely to adopt/maintain a BMP if they knew it would NOT reduce yield.
• 71.3% of the respondents use the FSA when selecting conservation practices, while 66.5% use the NRCS, 58.6% use family, and 50.9% use other farmers.
• When asked how influential the following sources are on farming decisions, consultants were most influential (38.7%) followed by family (38.5%) and chemical dealer (33.3%).
• When asked "How likely are you to try the following conservation practices," 21.5% are very likely to try cover crops.  All other practices were less than 15% for responses of very likely to try.
• 38% of respondents (70) raise livestock.
• When asked "How likely respondents would be to try each of the following conservation practices if money and time were not an issue" the top responses were manure management (16.5%), water diversion (15.8%) and prescribed grazing (14.9%).
• There were additionally some hand written comments summarized at the end of the survey that are interesting and provide a wide array of thoughts on water quality in the Shell Creek Watershed.

Rationale:  No new information to report. As reported last month, we have been using available EPA 319 and NET grant funding to assist with various Shell Creek projects, with the largest being the South Shell Creek channel improvement/benching project south of the U.P. Railroad bridge replacement near Colfax County Road 15. Bill Bos continues to line up several landowner projects as well.

Rationale: 

AUGUST RUNGE JR

$7,555.93

LIVESTOCK - PUMP, WELL, TANKS,

 

Rationale:  Janel Kaufman, FYRA, reports that during this invoicing period, they coordinated with NRCS and began addressing additional comments from the State review. They are finishing up the ‘clean’ document and it should go out for external agency comment/review within the next week.  Attached is FYRA's invoice totaling $3,962.50 for work completed through 10/15/21. After this payment, $15,012.75 will remain under contract. 
 

Rationale:  We will be using our remaining EPA 319 funds toward landowner conservation projects, Lands for Conservation payments and for the Watershed Water Quality Plan update.

JEO has submitted a $4,500 invoice and a progress report for updating our Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan, as attached. After this payment, $6,560.50 will remain on our $31,630 contract. 

Rationale:  Nothing to report as Olsson is on hold until the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan is approved by NRCS. The committee discussed the need to begin geo-tech field work this fall/winter at the seven remaining dam sites. Sites 26a, 26b & 27 have geo-tech work completed, but NRCS put remaining design activities on hold until the Watershed Plan is officially approved.  Mountford will contact NRCS to discuss the possibility of moving forward on the seven remaining sites in December, 2021.

Rationale:  We are moving forward with working with USGS to establish up to five cameras and two additional water level gauges along the Platte River.  Attached are minutes from the partner Zoom meeting conducted on October 15th to coordinate the work. On October 20th,  Heimann, Mountford and Paul Woodward, PMRNRD, met with USGS representatives at HW 64 and 77 bridges to discuss placement of equipment. USGS went on to inspect HW 79 and 15 bridge locations. Cameras will be placed at all bridge locations and on one possible private landowner's site near the confluence of the Loup Power Canal and Platte River. The additional gauges will be placed at HW 15 & 77. 

A partner Zoom meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 5th. 

Rationale:  JEO has been working with JWMAB partners Dodge County, Fremont and LPNRD as they begin the Rawide Watershed Assessment. Elliott accompanied JEO on a visual inspection of the watershed earlier this month. Attached are minutes from JEO's monthly meeting held on October 18th.

There will be a JWMAG Meeting at 1:00 pm on November 18th, followed by a Rawhide Watershed Assessment Agency (virtual at 2-4 pm) and a public (6-8 pm) meeting all held at the Fremont City Auditorium on  November 18th. 

Rationale:  No new information to report.

Rationale:  No new issues to report.

Rationale:  Over the past several years, LPNNRD has been a partner with Platte Center for improving and stabilizing Elm Creek as it flows through the town. We were aware that they had an interest in doing some more additional channel work on the northern part of town, so placed $25,000 in our approved budget in anticipation of a formal request.  Attached is Platte Center's request for 50% assistance on a proposed $30,000 total project, to remove fallen trees in the creek and reduce the risk of flooding.  

Rationale:  The Bellwood Ditch 4 system is approximately 4.5 miles in length from the bluffs to the south, to the Platte River. It was proposed by the SCS/NRCS in the mid 60's that the ditches from the Bellwood Watershed Dams be improved and maintained. The only segment that LPNNRD easements were obtained was on a 3/4 mile segment of ditch 4 (see attached map). Landowner Dennis Kucera has reminded us that we have O & M on this 3/4 of a mile. There are numerous trees to be taken out, a breach on the west bank and a large beaver dam that should be removed. The O & M crew is making plans to cut and remove trees this Fall.
Mr. Kucera may make a request for the NRD to clear more of the ditch, specifically the last 1/2 mile to the Platte River.

Rationale:  The PRCA had a quarterly meeting on October 25th. While LPNNRD is no longer a formal dues-paying member, we are asked to attend meetings as a non-member to discuss joint efforts, projects and issues that we are involved with LPSNRD, PMRNRD and others. The PRCA has not had a paid coordinator for several years and is not actively involved with Platte River projects as in the past. Mourtford attended this meeting and the agenda and other information is attached. 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 8:40 a.m.