December 2, 2021 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  None.

Rationale:  None.

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Rationale:  None.

Rationale:  Elliott, Mountford and Matt Bailey met with Colfax County and Pruss Excating representatives on November 16th to discuss plans to complete the Shell Creek South Channel Improvement/Benching Project. Pruss will start work in December and have the project completed by next spring. 

Attached is JEO's November 24, 2021, $4,976.50 invoice and progress report for updating the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan.  After this payment, $2,855 will remain under our $31,630 contract.  Work for the plan update is being reimbursed from our EPA 319 grant.

Just after the Project Committee Meeting, we received two invoices, totaling $19,530.03, as attached from UNL for completion of the Shell Creek Survey. This is an LPNNNRD approved project, but since the payment request came in after the Committee Meeting, a motion for payment will be added to the Board's December 13th Addtional Agenda items. 

Rationale:  No new updates.

Rationale:  The Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy (NDEE) has raised the maximum cost share limit for septic system upgrades as attached. LPNNRD has offered 60% 319 EPA grant assistance administered by NDEE, (no local LPNNRD funds are used) to cooperators in the Shell Creek Watershed based on the maximum limit established by NDEE.  While this may potentially use more of our approved 319 grant funds for this practice, it will likely not be a factor in most cases. We plan to use the new limits, unless the committee feels otherwise.

Rationale: 

JOHN HANNAH

$4,800.00

Rationale: 

DAVID GEILENKIRCHEN(paid)

$3,134.22

Rationale:  NRCS has placed the final draft of the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan on their website for public review as listed below.  Attached is the draft FONSI for Wahoo (thanks Janel).  Once the final 30-day public review period of the EA and FONSI is completed, then it can be signed.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ne/technical/engineering/?cid=nrcseprd1492259

We received the attached FYRA invoice totaling $6,570 for contact work with NRCS on finishing the watershed plan for public viewing. After this payment, $8,442.75 will remain under contract.
 

Rationale:  As reported earlier, NRCS has placed the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan for public review. Since this is the final step before formal approval occurs, NRCS has given us permission to have Olsson move forward with geo
-technical soil analysis on the remaining seven dam sites (55, 66, 77, 82, 84, 85 & 86). Geotech work has already been completed at three sites (26a, 26b & 27) two years ago. Attached is an example of the 31 landowner letters mailed on November 3, 2021, along with a description of work to be accomplished and the anticipated schedule that Olsson will be on their property. Andrew discussed the work that Olsson has been and will be involved with during the upcoming months.

Attached are invoices and progress report on Olsson activities. There is a $3,323.71 invoice for previous work completed on dam sites 26a, 26b & 27 and another $4,081.34 for contract work on the other seven dams.  Andrew Phillips will Zoom in at 7:30 a.m. to discuss geotechnical work being started on dam sites 55, 66, 77, 82, 84, 85 & 86. 

Rationale:  Attached is JEO's November 24, 2021, $3,098 invoice and progress report for updating the Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan.  After this payment, $3,462.50 will remain under our $31,630 contract.  Work for the plan update is being reimbursed from our EPA 319 grant.

Rationale:  As mentioned in the Shell Creek agenda item, the Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy (NDEE) has raised the maximum cost share limit for septic system upgrades as attached. LPNNRD has also offered 60% 319 EPA grant assistance administered by NDEE, (no local LPNNRD funds are used) to cooperators in the Wahoo Creek Watershed based on the maximum limit established by NDEE.  While this may potentially use more of our approved 319 grant funds for this practice, it will likely not be a factor in most cases. We plan to use the new limits, unless the committee feels otherwise.

Rationale:  Ron Sabatka's septic system has been replaced and we are awaiting paperwork.

Rationale:  We awaiting LFC certification paperwork from NRCS

Rationale:  Attached is the JWMAB November 18, 2021, meeting minutes to update partners on various project progress. 

Rationale:  Attached are the minutes from the November 5, 2021, partner meeting to coordinate activities with USGS. USGS will be establishing five cameras and two additional water gauges along the Platte River. Cameras will be placed at HW 64, 77, 79 & 15 bridges and one on private property tentatively planned at Bellwood Lakes. Additional gauges will be placed at HW 64 and 77 bridges. The plan is to place equipment and have it available to view on their website in December. 

Rationale:  An agency meeting, followed by a public meeting on the Rawhide Watershed Plan Assessment were held at the Fremont City Auditorium on November 18.  Attached is a fact sheet and survey form provided.  JEO's plan is to have the Plan completed in 2022. After the Plan receives NRCS approval, the next step for JWMAB partners will be to pursue federal and state assistance for identified flood reduction projects.

Rationale:  A meeting with FYRA occurred on November 30th to discuss the economic analysis being conducted for potential FEMA funding assistance. A minimum of one to one cost/benefit analysis is required to be eligible.  Because of multiple potential flooding events in the Rawhide Creek Watershed from not only Rawhide Creek, but also from Shell Creek and the Platte River, it is challenging to obtain a positive cost/benefit ratio.  It appears that improvements to the North Bend Levee need to be included to make this a viable project. This will require a scope change in the FEMA grant application.  A meeting will be set up with NEMA/FEMA in the near future to discuss this possibility.  

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  Update given on Allen Kaspar/Prochaska complaint.

Rationale:  As discussed last month, 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. Mountford, Elliott, Moore, Dokulil and Bob Hilger met with Butler County representatives and Mr. Kucera on November 16 to inspect our project easement area. Our O & M crew has since removed the majority of the trees in the ditch and is making plans to remove the beaver dam. This work will be coordinated with  Butler County. 

Mr. Kucera also requested LPNNRD and County assistance to clear more of the ditch, specifically the last 1/2 mile that flows from our 3/4 mile project area to the Platte River. Drainage on the 1/2 has been the landowner's responsibility.  Mr. Kucera has asked if a public interest is determined by LPNNRD and/or Butler County to assist landowners to remove trees and debris in the subject area, would we offer assistance? Mr. Kucera was present at 8:00 a.m. to discuss his request and will provide more information in the future.  Attached is Mr. Kucera's  map and narrative. 

Rationale:  We have been contacted by Platte County Emergency Manager Tim Hofbauer and Mary Baker, JEO, asking if we would be interested in purchasing a Platte County property in LPNNRD that is eligible for FEMA grant (75%) funding (attachments) for an entity to purchase, remove buildings that are subject to flooding and have it for public use. A similar request was brought to the Board on May 11, 2020, regarding a property in Dodge County, east of Fremont. While no formal motion was made at that time, the Board did not express interest in being the lead entity to participate in this property buyout program.  This Platte County property, referred to as the Mohrman parcel, consists of 3.12 acres.  Looking back at our 2020 committee and board minutes, an attachment of the Mohrman parcel in Platte County was also included, but there wasn't specific discussion about that location.  Looking back at the May 11, 2020 Board minutes, if was discussed that LPNNRD might consider some assistance if  another entity took the lead depending on how the property would be used.
 
Mountford spoke with Matt Bailey who indicated he didn’t feel this property purchase was something the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group would be interested in pursuing.   The committee did not express a desire to pursue purchasing this property and no recommendation was made. 
 

Rationale:  The Morse Buff Dike runs approximately two miles west from the HW 79 bridge in Sauders County. The Dike & Drainage District disbanded in the late 1980's. After the 2019 floods, a 1000 foot breach occurred.  An update on the current status of this area was given. LPNNRD may be requested by the landowners to participate in a project to repair the breach. 

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 9:00 a.m.