December 1, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting
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1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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2. REGULATORY
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2.A. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
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2.A.1. Duane Johnson Certified Irrigated Acre Transfer Request
Rationale:
Duane Johnson is seeking Board direction on the potential of transferring a total of ~110 certified irrigated acres from ground owned by Kena Inc. and Annette Rogers Living Trust in S11-T14N-R9E in Saunders County, Yutan South Subarea. Of the ~110 acres, 40 acres would be developed in S16-T14N-R9E, Yutan South Subarea, and 70 acres would be developed in S25-T14N-7E, Swedeburg/Todd Valley Subarea. Attached are maps of the three sections in question, along with AEM flight lines showing the formations in Section 16 and Section 25.
Duane explained to the Committee what he was proposing by transferring certified irrigation acres that would be part of a solar farm. He wanted direction from the Committee on what process needs to done. Committee and staff explained that the acres being transferred were in different ownerships, which presented a challenge as LPN Rules and Regulation does not address this or any banking process. Another issue was transferring acres from different aquifer regions. The site S25-T14N-7E could have some quality issues with salt in the water. Updating the rules could take from 6 months to 1 year. It was recommended that Duane consider a couple of variances for his 2 sites that he is considering. Duane asked if the NRD would be interested in monitoring well west of Itaca on one of the sites. Staff will review this option.
Attachments:
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2.A.2. Variance Scoring Sheet
Rationale:
Items to consider:
Continuous and Non-Continuous Tracts. Should there be more definitive breaks in determining these types of tracts? As producers have asked to look at Best Management Practices, should the LPN consider them in the scoring? Cover Crops - 2 points Soil Moisture Sensors - 2 points Crop Rotation - 2 points (2 or 3 crop rotations make a difference?) No-till - 2 points (what does no-till really mean?) Variable rate of irrigation - 2 points Variable rate nitrogen application - 2 points Other?? If we move forward, should these practices already be in place and/or required for at least 3 years after approval? Documentation requirement? Staff explained the process of adding best management practices to the score sheet. It was recommended to give more points for soil moisture sensors, variable rate irrigation and cover crops. Staff will continue to evaluate the scoring process. |
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2.A.3. Well Permit Program
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2.A.4. Cost Share Programs
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2.A.4.a. Irrigation Well Sample Kits
Rationale:
339 kits went to producers in 2021; all have now been returned.
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2.A.5. Bellwood Phase 2 Area
Rationale:
2021 is the nineteenth year for this Phase 2 Area. dd
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2.A.6. Richland - Schuyler Phase 3 Area
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.
All producer samples kits have been mailed. |
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2.A.7. Nitrate Results Information
Rationale:
Staff met with Platte Center's Village Clerk and Water Operator to discuss the nitrate results within the area. Staff will be attending a Fire Department Meeting on Monday, December 6 at 8 pm to discuss the potential for a "Test Your Well Night" in conjunction with a Soup Supper. The plan is to work with the Columbus Lakeview FFA chapter to assist in this event.
The staff have looked at nitrate results from the SWN wells and it appears that some of the wells could be under the influence of livestock waste. What should be the approach when this could be the case? It was recommended by the Committee to research the livestock facility's history. Information is attached on the water sampling results of SWN wells within Shell Creek.
Attachments:
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2.A.8. Lower Platte River Basin Water Management Plan Coalition (LPRBC)
Rationale:
Attached are three options proposed for the next 5 year allotment. The Coalition Management Committee recommends the 25-year proposal. The group discussed the pros and cons of the 3 proposals and decided to present the 25-year option to the NRD Boards. The 25-year option has 2,759 Acre Feet (AF) of new water allotment and 1,182 carry-over from the previous 5 years for the LPN. This will allow 3,941 AF of water allotment for the next 5 years. The 1,182 AF of carry over does not include the 200 AF of approved variances on new and expanded irrigation for 2021.
Staff explained the concerns about how industrial wells were being tracked when a municipal well was supplying the water. If an industry applies for a high capacity well permit, that would be counted towards the allotment. If an industry has an existing municipal well supplying the water, there is no accounting of the water but the same amount of water is being taken out of the groundwater or surface water source.
Attachments:
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3. GROUND WATER PROGRAMS
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3.A. DECOMMISSIONED WELL PROGRAM
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3.A.1. Well Estimates
Rationale:
# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.
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3.A.2. Plugged Wells
Rationale:
# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend payment of well decommissioning for irrigation well to Hemmer Land LLC for $790.88. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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3.B. LOWER PLATTE NORTH NRD GROUND WATER STUDIES
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3.B.1. Phase Area Update
Rationale:
Staff have been meeting with producers to assist with online reporting and discuss options for best management practices.
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3.C. NEW MONITORING WELLS
Rationale:
Attachment is updated Quote from In-Situ for cables for 3 dedicated monitoring wells.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend payment of $3042.35 to In-Situ Inc. for cables on 3 dedicated monitoring wells. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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4. SURFACE WATER PROGRAMS
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4.A. USGS STREAM FLOW GAUGING SITES
Rationale:
Attached is the USGS Continuous Surface water quality monitoring agreement and information.
It was explained to the Committee that USGS is interested in continuing this gage for an additional 3 years. This gage has been in place for 6 years to collect water quality samples from the Platte River. USGS will be attending a future meeting to discuss this agreement.
Attachments:
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5. OTHER
Rationale:
Will's Monthly Report is attached for review.
Eric reported to the Committee on the Wanahoo Stilling Basin. GMDA conference is January 18-20 in San Antonio, TX. Joe Birkel is interested in attending, with staff members Daryl and Bret planning to attend. It was requested to consider moving the Water Committee from Wednesday to Tuesday evening.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend moving Water Committee from Wednesday to Tuesday evening at 6 pm from January thru April. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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5.A. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
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