November 8, 2021 at 5:00 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:  Attached find "Save The Date"  information for GMDA Annual Confernece. The annual conference is scheduled for January 18-20 in San Antonio, TX.  Breunig has been in contact with the organizers and they plan to have registration details online by Friday, October 29th.  In past years we have approved up to 2 board members and 2 staff to attend.

Rationale:  NACD Annual meeting is set for February 12-16, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.  Early registration deadline is December 15th, in past years we have approved up to 2 board members and 2 staff to attend the conference.

Rationale:  Attached find absence requests from Directors Kavan and Sabatka from the September Board Meeting and Directors Thompson and Birkel from the October Meeting. Kavan was preparing equipment for harvest, Thompson had a work emergency, Birkel was harvesting and Sabatka was on his honeymoon.  

Rationale:  We will be hearing from the Shell Creek Watershed Group. 

Rationale:  Attached find the NACD Dues statement in the amount of $1,776.  

Rationale:  The November Board Meeting will be held at Schuyler High School on Monday, November 8th.  Board meeting start time will be 5:00 p.m.  Reminder that the November Meeting is a "Virtual Meeting"

Rationale:  Over the past couple of years, there has been quite a bit of discussion regarding the Hwy 77/92 and 109 intersection due to the danger of crossing 4 lanes of traffic and the fatal accidents at that location.  I met with NDOT representatives this past week and was informed they will be making some changes to the highway as it crosses the Wanahoo dam in the near future.
First, within the next few weeks, the location of the 4-lane to 2-lane transition will be moved west to approximately the middle of the dam.  This will allow for the 109 crossing to be a 2-lane crossing rather than a 4-lane crossing.
Next, sometime next year, there are plans to install a roundabout at the current intersection and remove the blinking red/yellow lights.
I will continue to keep the board updated as information is shared with me.

Rationale:  As we plan our monthly board meetings for 2022 we should have some discussion on how we want to handle the remote attendance options to the meetings.
 

Rationale:  Grant will be available to go over our September Financial Statements.

Rationale:  Attached find Gottschalk's time and expense sheets.

Rationale:  Breunig has contacted Union Bank and Trust to start the renewal process on our Line of Credit that will renew December 1st.  Union Bank will have the necessary paperwork ready for our November 8th Board Meeting.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to renew our $400,000 line of credit with Union Bank and Trust. 

Rationale:  Nothing to consider.

Rationale:  Updated Federal paper work has been completed and turned in to the FSA regarding the Districts properties. We have forwarded a signed contract to NRCS for the prescribed burn that will take place in the Spring of 2022. We were notified that the prescribed burn will be covered 100% by the NRCS, the contract is worth $6,360.

The tree removal contractor will start in November.

Rationale:  The O & M crew is busy removing trees at Czechland and Clear Creek Levee. Removed a mount of mud, provided by beaver, around the principal spillway at the Swedeburg. Finished inspecting the final three dams in the Bellwood Watershed. Hauled rip-rap to Rawhide Ditch as requested by a landowner for an eroded stream bank.

Rationale:  We have not heard from FEMA whether the change of scope is approved or disapproved.
This morning we received this permanent well estimates from Valley Corp see attached.

Rationale:  Platte Valley Drainage District is seeking the remaining allocation of $31,791.90 for their levee repair project. (Letter Attached)  The District allocated $65,000 to Platte Valley D & D after the 2019 flood event. The District paid $33,208.10 in January for completed work and to also help with cash flow for the remaining repairs.

Rationale:  See attached the hay harvest summary for our recreational lands.

The Wanahoo hay revenue is $11,233.87 and Czechland/Homestead is $6,720.15, totaling $17,954.02.

Rationale:  Staff is soliciting trappers for quotes to trap beaver on our watershed dams and ditches. With the lack of fur bearing harvest because of low fur prices we are seeing an increase in beaver activity on our dams and ditches. Staff would like to hire a trapper for year around purposes. Staff and the hired trapper would work with the local Conservation Officer in obtaining a depredation permit. Lower Platte South had a trapper hired before he retired and are currently looking for another. See the attached photo of a mud mound we dug out on a Swedeburg Dam.
We received one quote from Bill Chizek, set up fee whether 1 or 20 traps is $150, will run traps for as long as there is sign of activity, if traps are pulled and within a month there is fresh activity, we will come back and forgo the setup fee. We would like $185/tail. He does have a fur harvest permit.

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:  There wasn't any activity this past month.

Rationale:  Over the past couple of years, there has been quite a bit of discussion regarding the Hwy 77/92 and 109 intersection due to the danger of crossing 4 lanes of traffic and the fatal accidents at that location.  I met with NDOT representatives this past week and was informed they will be making some changes to the highway as it crosses the Wanahoo dam in the near future.
First, within the next few weeks, the location of the 4-lane to 2-lane transition will be moved west to approximately the middle of the dam.  This will allow for the 109 crossing to be a 2-lane crossing rather than a 4-lane crossing.
Next, sometime next year, there are plans to install a roundabout at the current intersection and remove the blinking red/yellow lights.
I will continue to keep the board updated as information is shared with me.

Rationale:  For the month of October, the District received $757.50 in annual park permit revenue. The year by year breakdown for annual permits sold during the month of October is listed below. Year to date annual permit and day pass revenue total equals $104,367.46.
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD Total
October 2021	757.50	85,546.85
October 2020	512.50	95,957.50
October 2019	572.50	82,200.00

Rationale:  For the month of October (as of 10/26), the District received $4,714.00 in camping revenue at Lake Wanahoo. For the calendar year, camping revenue totals $114,640.11. The year by year breakdown for camping revenue during the month of October is listed below.
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD Total
October 2021	4,714.00	114,640.11
October 2020	10,236.02	131,137.03
October 2019	4,365.36	90,942.60

Rationale:  During the month of October, the building was rented 17 times. This number includes 1 NRD-involved events. Revenue for month of October is $1,520.
 

Rationale:  The October’s KTIC Radio ad and Wahoo Newspaper e-Ad are attached. These ads shared feature no-till drill rental.
 

Rationale: 

Date	School/Group	Grade/Age	# of students	Topic	Staff
Oct. 4	North Bend Elementary	4th grade	35	Wildlife CSI	SA/LS
Oct. 21	Wahoo Public School	8th grade	8	Survival Club	EG/LS

Rationale:  Elliott participated in a virtual meeting with NeDHHS regarding their Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).  The program is purposed to provide payment to water utilities for customers who have past due balances, or disconnections.  
Elliott has supplied DHHS with the vendor information required to receive any payments from qualifying residents.

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills will go out 11/1.

Rationale:  Attached is a proposed rate increase for the Bruno RWD.  As per recommendations from auditors, and following guidance from Nebraska Rural Water Associations rate study, the proposed increase:
$6.25/1000 gallons
$47.00 - 3/4" meter service (residential)
$185.00 - 2" meter service (commercial)
$560.00 - 4" meter service (municipal)

Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read, bills out 11/1.
 

Rationale:  Ray Kucera Jr would like to drill a supplemental well in E1/2 SE1/4 26-15N-8E.  The purpose of the well is to decrease the strain on the existing well in the NE¼.  This land is already being irrigated but is within Mead's Wellhead Protection Area.  Ray did receive an approved zoning permit from Mead.

Information is attached.  

Rationale:  The 2 examples are a 40 acre field that is across the road from the existing well that already irrigates 135 acres.  Example 1 & 2 show a picture of the scenario, 

Questions:
Encourage drilling a new well or allowing expansion on an existing well? 
What best management practices should be considered if the ranking sheet reflects practices?
Enforcement of best management practices after a certain time?

Committee and staff discuss what would be more efficient, drilling a new well or adding acres to an existing well.  Another discussion was continuous and non-continuous tracts.  The Committee felt adding best management practices to the scoring sheet would be a challenge to enforce by staff and the Board.  The committee directed staff to develop a revised scoring sheet for review on new wells and expansion of acres.   

Rationale:  Tri City Meter's will be in year 2 of their contracted flow meter maintenance cycle (4 years). They will be starting meter maintenance within the next couple weeks depending on the weather in parts of Butler, Dodge, and Saunders Counties. Currently, they are scheduled to perform regular maintenance on 226 irrigation flow meters.  

Rationale:  A GIS map showing nitrate results from 2021 water sampling.  Also, maps from the Mead and Platte Center areas.

The committee would like staff to review nitrate results from previous sampling events to look for trends.  Should consider public information and offer water sampling for domestic wells.

Rationale: 

2021 is the nineteenth 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)	22%
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 to 20.5 ppm	33.33% (20 of 60)	13.33% (8 of 60)	35% (21 of 60)	18.33% (11 of 60)
2021	0.12 to 27.7	41.3% (26 of 63	14.3% (9 of 63)	25.4% (16 of 63)	19.0 % (12 of 63)

Rationale: 

2021 is the sixth year of this Phase 3 Area.  This Phase 3 area went into effect September 1, 2015.  The 55 sections of this area first went into a Phase 2 Area in 2004.  The ten sections that were in Phase 2 are now in Phase 3.  As such, the 2020 and 2021 numbers (at bottom of table) are for 65 sections.

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 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% (69 of 261)	6% (15 of 261)	26% (66 of 257)	43% (110 of 257)
2021	0 to 43.0	26% (67 of 255)	8% (21 of 255)	24% (60 of 255)	42% (107 of 255)

 

Rationale:  Attached are planned meetings for 2021-22.

Rationale:  A $10,000 invoice is attached for 2021-22 Coalition dues.  

Shown are updates from a meeting staff had with The Flatwater Group.  This is the process of determining data that will go into the Insight model.  The Coalition is working on the next 5-year allotment starting in 2023. 

Website: http://nednr.nebraska.gov/INSIGHT/ - this is the INSIGHT model location

Rationale:  Staff met with Don and Bill Wegener on transferring acres from Section 11-17-4E, west of Rogers.   Don is working on obtaining more information to present to LPN.  He claims that the certified irrigated acres that the sandpit obtained were still available to him.  Staff have asked for documentation to that effect.  

The committee was concerned about transferring previous certified irrigated acres from land that had been sold.  

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 Payment	County
Laska Land LLC	Stock	$418.50	Platte
Dawson Farm & Ranch	Irrigation	$1,000.00	Butler

 

Rationale:  Staff gave a demonstration of the Nitrate Assessment Tool for the Nitrogen Management Areas.

Rationale:  An extension is being requested to continue for 1 year.  This extension is not asking for any additional money, but will allow members to continue planning on a workable drought plan for the Platte River.  This extension needs to be signed by October 28th to keep the existing agreement in place.     

Rationale:  Staff explained that Dvorak Well Drilling had not started because of personnel issues.  The site east of Fremont is on hold until the owner decides if a payment is necessary.  

Rationale:  GMDA conference is scheduled for January 18-20, 2022 in San Antonia, TX.

Rationale:  Will's monthy report for October.

The November Board Meeting will be Monday, November 8, starting at 5 pm at Schuyler High School.  

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

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:  Grace A Stewart Family Trust (Dale Schutt) has applied for a new well in the NE1/4 NW 1/4 S20-T19N-R2W Platte County to irrigate 140.81 acres previously serviced by well G-136628 in S19-T19N-R2W. Attached are three AEM profiles showing ~150 feet of saturated aquifer material, an aerial photo of the fields, well information from DNR.
Motion Needed at Board Meeting:
To approve the well permit for Grace A Stewart Family Trust in the NE1/4 NW 1/4 S20-T19N-R2W

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.