December 29, 2021 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

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21-B-3

DWAYNE LANC

$                  12,500.00

TOT, WASCB, TO

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Rationale:  Work continues on the Shell Creek South Channel Improvement/Benching Project which should be completed by March 2022. Bill Bos continues to line up landowner conservation practices and septic system upgrades.

JEO continues to work on the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan with NDEE. Attached is their December 23, 2021, $1,713 invoice and progress report. After this payment, $1,142 will remain under contact. 

Rationale:  We plan to use our remaining EPA 319 grant funding toward the Shell Creek South Channel Improvement/benching project and other landowner projects.  It is planned that LPNNRD and SCWIG will continue to  work together with NDEE to line up future project funding for the next five-year period. 

Rationale:  LPNNRD and NRCS have posted the 30 day public review period for the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan. After comments are considered, we anticipate NRCS approval of the plan, hopefully in early 2022.  The Wahoo Plan-EA invoice for work completed through 12/17/2021 totaling $2,385, is attached (After this payment, $6,057.75 will remain under contract). During this invoice period, FYRA coordinated with NRCS on the agency and public review process and sent out the review notification to agencies. To date, they have received only one agency letter with minimal comments.

NRCS has placed the final draft of the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan on their website for public review as shown below: 
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ne/technical/engineering/?cid=nrcseprd1492259

Rationale:  Olsson continues to work on Geo-technical activities at Wahoo Creek dam sites 55, 77, 82,84, 85 & 86 and their recent $7,941.87 invoice is attached along with a budget breakdown of work accomplished. 

Attached is Andrew Phillips analysis of our contract with Olsson for services on the Wahoo Creek flood reduction dams. Since we placed Olsson "on hold" for 2 ½ - 3 years to complete most of this work (waiting for NRCS to approve the watershed plan).  As indicated, the delay has increased costs, but this is offset by the removal of Dam Site 83.  This topic will be discussed at the December 29th Projects Committee and Andrew will  attend the February 3^rd Projects Committee for further discussion. Also attached is our original contract approved November 14, 2018.
 

Rationale:  We have finished using available grant funding for Wahoo Creek Projects and are working with NDEE for needed funding over the next five years.  At the last Board Meeting, we approved our 2021 Lands for Conservation payments.  NDEE is providing an additional $25,000 of EPA 319 funding to help cover those expenses.

JEO continues to work on the Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan with NDEE. Attached is their December 23, 2021, $2,077.50 invoice and progress report. After this payment, $1,385 will remain under contact. 

Rationale:  JEO conducted a meeting on December 27 (agenda attached) to update partners on progress on the Rawhide Creek Watershed Assessment (with NRCS-WFPO funding assistance) and on their analysis of the Elkhorn Township Drainage Improvement east of Fremont (with FEMA funding assistance).  JEO reported that they are working on hydrology/ hydraulics for the Rawhide watershed assessment. For the Elkhorn Township Drainage Improvement, JEO is assessing possible project scenarios that could have a positive cost/benefit ratio for potential FEMA assistance. For reference of what was discussed at the meeting,  the following link is to the preliminary H&H information that was shared yesterday as well as another copy of the agenda.  https://arcg.is/1yjDDm1

Rationale:  USGS is placing cameras and two additional water gauges along designated Platte River sites. The USGS link to view the cameras https://apps.usgs.gov/hivis/ .  Thus far it looks like just three cameras are operating, Hwy 64, 77 and 15 . The camera on Hwy 79 is not yet functioning.  Work is also underway to also establish a camera on private property near the Loup and Platte river confluence. 
On the USGS site map, zoom in on Nebraska and click on one of the bubbles, then you can experiment with the site location. Hwy 15  and 77 also have the added water elevation gauges.
 

Rationale:  As reported earlier, the 2019 flooding left an approximate 1,100-foot breach in a private (Morse Bluff) dike that runs about two miles west from the HW 79 bridge in Saunders County (photo attached).  This dike was once maintained by the Morse Bluff Dike and Drainage District, but that district dissolved in the late 1980's. After the 2019 floods, affected landowners evidently approached Saunders County for public sponsorship and repair assistance, but had no success.  Several property owners attended the Projects Committee meeting to request LPNNRD guidance. Staff will work with Saunders County to begin discussions on how we might work together to assist the landowner in this area.

Rationale:  The Projects Committee adjourned at 8:25 a.m.