December 28, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting
| Agenda | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2. REGULATORY
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.1. Irrigated Acre Transfer
Rationale:
A request from Jamie Yindrick to transfer irrigated acres to Section 2-16N-3E from Section 9-15N-4E (located just west of Bruno in SQS #1) and Section 13-16N-2E. The land receiving the acres does have 2 active irrigation wells but the acres were never certified with the NRD. Jamie has submitted a replacement well permit for G-136646, but when it was originally drilled it hit rock and never got to full depth.
The committee asked staff to develop a transfer policy for certified irrigated acres. Lower Loup NRD has a transfer policy, which staff will review along with other NRDs with these policies. Staff plans on having a draft transfer policy for review at the January Committee Meeting. Information is attached. Sections 2 and 13 are located in Octavia Groundwater Aquifer Subarea, with Section 9 located in Prague Aquifer Subarea. LPN - Section Q Groundwater Transfer Rule 1 Transfer Off Overlaying Land (1) A permit is required for the transfer of groundwater off overlaying land for any purpose described in (2). Upon receipt of an application for the transfer of groundwater off overlaying land, the District shall provide notice of the application by publishing it on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled Water Committee meeting. Any affected party may object to the transfer of groundwater by filing written objections, specifically stating the grounds for such objection, in the office of the District on or before the second regularly scheduled Board meeting following publication of notice in the Water Committee’s agenda. Late objections will not be considered. Upon the filing of such objections or on its own initiative, the District shall conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if the withdrawal, transfer, and use of groundwater is consistent with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section and all rules and regulations of the District. Following the preliminary investigation, if the District has reason to believe that the withdrawal, transfer, and use is consistent with all rules and regulations of the District, but may not comply with one or more other requirements of subsection (2) of this section, the District shall request that the Department of Natural Resources hold a hearing on such transfer. (2) Any person who withdraws groundwater for agricultural purposes, or for any purpose pursuant to a groundwater remediation plan as required under the Environmental Protection Act, including the providing of water for domestic purposes, from aquifers located within the District may transfer the use of the groundwater off the overlying land if the groundwater is put to a reasonable and beneficial use within the State of Nebraska and is used for an agricultural purpose, or for any purpose pursuant to a groundwater remediation plan as required under the Environmental Protection Act, including the providing of water for domestic purposes, after transfer, and if such withdrawal, transfer, and use (a) will not significantly adversely affect any other water user, (b) is consistent with all applicable statutes and District rules and regulations, and (c) is in the public interest. (3) No transfers shall be granted into any area with greater restrictions than the originating land upon which the transfer shall occur except as allowed by 46-742.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.2. Phase Area Update
Rationale:
Dan Snow - UNL gave a presentation about the vadose soil and water sampling from LPN nitrogen management areas. Dan commented on his presentation that the nitrate levels in the majority of the samples were a mixture of organic and inorganic nitrogen. Tylr Naprstek - LLNRD gave an update on what Lower Loup has been doing in their new management area. They have also done some vadose soil sampling.
The full report is attached and the conclusion is shown below from the report. Conclusions Based on the trends of groundwater and vadose zone nitrate levels in this area of the LPNNRD, there is clearly continued loading of nitrate to the water table. The Bellwood Phase 2, Richland and Schuyler Phase 2 and 3 Groundwater Management Areas have some of the highest groundwater nitrate concentrations of the district. Analysis of six deep vadose zone samples shows pore water nitrate concentrations with location averages ranging 8.82 from 42.55 mg/L, similar to local groundwater concentrations. Vadose zone nitrate was highest beneath cropland with continuous corn and soybeans, while alfalfa, grass, and cover crops had much lower nitrate levels. Except for 2 wells, arsenic and uranium concentrations in groundwater samples were generally below the maximum contaminant level for drinking water. Stable isotope analysis of nitrate in the groundwater and vadose zone samples indicates over half of nitrate nitrogen is likely from the overapplication of commercial fertilizer. Several samples show evidence of enrichment by denitrification, especially grab samples taken near the water table, and several have nitrogen isotope composition characteristic of a mixture of organic (manure) nitrogen and commercial fertilizer. Comparison of sites with enriched nitrogen to manure application can help confirm the importance of this source. The majority of samples, however, have nitrogen isotope composition similar to commercial (inorganic) nitrogen, and thus efforts to limit the application of fertilizer is recommended. Future vadose zone and groundwater sampling in these areas will provide information on the effectiveness of any changes in nutrient management practices.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.3. Well Permit Program
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.4. Variance Scoresheet
Rationale:
Attached is the current variance scoring sheet that LPN utilizes. Staff visited with Brian Bruckner and Mike Murphy from LE on how they score the variance applications. Lower Elkhorn uses NASS for soils and gives a minimum criteria before proceeding onto the other scoring parts of the variance. They look at well density and pumping potential but not continuous and non-continuous tracts. They also do not consider Best Management Practices at this time.
Tylr explained the Lower Loup variance process. Lower Loup uses well density and soils as part of their scoring process. They do not use Best Management Practices in the scoring either.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.5. Remediation Water
Rationale:
Duane Bellar contacted NRD staff and is looking at expanding irrigated acres on the EPA site with Lindsay Manufacturing. He will be adding an additional 75-80 acres by completing the full round on a 3/4 round pivot and adding an additional 45 acre swing arm pivot. The sites are located in Section 20 and 21, Township 20N, Range 3W, just east of Lindsay. The groundwater being used is remediation water from Lindsay Manufacturing.
Committee discussed the land application of the sites and the soil class that the pivot would be watering. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.6. Bellwood Phase 2 Area
Rationale:
2021 is the nineteenth year for this Phase 2 Area.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.7. 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.
At the final meeting in Schuyler, a producer brought his water sample (the result [19.1 ppm] is included in the above table. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.8. LPNNRD Online Reporting Sessions
Rationale:
The LPN conducted 9 meetings during November and December to assist producers in entering their reports online. Staff also did an informal survey on potential management practices.
Two producer meetings were held at Hruska Library in David City - for online reporting. Seven producers attended out of 23 producers in the area. Seven producer meetings were held at the Schulyer Public Library - for online reporting. 45 producers, farm managers, agronomists attended. Staff has also met with four other producers for online reporting. There should be 83 producers submitting reports. Staff have received some paper copies of the reports along with producers doing online submittal on their own. Staff would like the Committee to recommend to the Board for considering a $100 donation to both libraries as they did not charge any rental fees.
Recommended Motion(s):
Committee recommends a donation of $100 each to both David City and Schuyler libraries for allowing LPN staff to utilize their facilities for the online training meetings. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.9. Lower Platte River Basin Water Management Plan Coalition (LPRBC)
Rationale:
John Engel - HDR will attend the Board Meeting on January 10 to give an update on the next 5-year allotment.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.B. LIVESTOCK WASTE PERMITS
Rationale:
The LPNNRD has received # 1 livestock permit applications from DEQ since the last Water Committee meeting.
Description of permit application - Finishing Swine >55 - 5,000 head or Nursery Swine <55 - 12,500 head.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3. GROUND WATER PROGRAMS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A. DECOMMISSIONED WELL PROGRAM
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A.1. Well Estimates
Rationale:
3 new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A.2. Plugged Wells
Rationale:
# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B. LOWER PLATTE NORTH NRD GROUND WATER STUDIES
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B.1. Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA)
Rationale:
Attached is ENWRA (Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Association) annual dues of $30,000 and the second of the two-year agreement for GeoCloud of $3,400.
Attached is a draft agreement to extend this for an additional 5 years plus other information. .
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend paying the ENWRA invoices of $30,000 for the dues and $3,400 for GeoCloud. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
4. SURFACE WATER PROGRAMS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
4.A. USGS STREAM FLOW GAUGING SITES
Rationale:
An invoice from LPS for $6,562 for the water level and quality sampling gauge at Leshara. This is part of the agreement with USGS and the Corridor Alliance. This will be LPN final payment of the 3-year agreement. The Alliance and USGS would like to extend this for another 3 years.
Attached is a draft agreement for the next 3 years.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend paying Lower Platte South invoice of $6,562 for the water level and quality sampling gauge at Leashara. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5.A. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
|
