March 29, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Attached is a livestock well permit for Kyle Herchenbach.  A third well was drilled for his poultry operation in November, 2021, which no well permit was applied for from LPNNRD.  This is a late permit which requires a $250 late fee to be considered for approval. 
 

Rationale:  Jeffery Hanson has applied for a new well to irrigate 59.51 acres in th E 1/2 NE 1/4 S33-18N-7E, Dodge County. The acres are currently serviced by well G-179479. This new well will help supplement the 59.51 acres of gravity irrigation.

Rationale: 

Wells Permits Approved: 11

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea
Crucible Farms- John Wood	1	0	Irrigation	Butler	Octavia

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total number of approved permits for 2022 is #

Location of Approved Well Permits for 2022:  Correct as of 3/28/2022

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler		3
Colfax		1
Dodge
Boone	1
Madison
Platte	2	1
Saunders	1	2
Total

 

Rationale:  Jovan reviewed the policy with his comments and edits attached.  The committee and staff discussed the policy and agreed to bring the policy forward with the edits.  The plan is to move it forward to the April 27 Water Committee for final approval at the May Board Meeting.  The Committee wanted clarification on approving the policy and what is required?  The staff understand that this is a policy procedure, and no hearing would be required.   

Rationale:  Some water use calculations for SQS #2 north of Columbus.

Total water use from 2019-2021 (3 year period)

• 59% of the fields used 14 inches or less.
• 88% of the fields used 18 inches or less.
• 12% of the fields used more than 18 inches, with a high of 25.5 total inches.
• The average over the 3 years was 12.7 inches/acre.

Some water use calculations for SQS #1 south of Bruno.

Total water use from 2019-2021 (3 year period)

• 96% of the fields used 14 inches or less.
• 100% of the fields used 18 inches or less.
• None of the fields used over 18 inches with a high of 15.2 inches.
• The average over the 3 years was 8.7 inches/acre.

Rationale:  The LPRBC Directors meeting will be Tuesday, April 19 at the NARD office in Lincoln, starting at 10 am.  The technical group met on February 28 with the management group meeting on March 3.  

Agenda items for the Directors will include

• FY 22-23 Budget
  • Proposing to include $10,000 from each partner
• Annual Reports
• Depletions Summary (see attachment)
• New Development Depletions (with same attachment as above)
  • LPN will have a 3725 Acre Feet allotment from 2022-2027.
  • LPN had a 2276 Acre Feet allotment from 2016-2021.
• Online Database Transfer from HDR to NeDNR for storing the depletion numbers on a yearly basis.
• Model Update Chart (see attachment)

Some minor changes are being proposed to the plan, including

1.  Allowing virtual meetings per state law,
2. Section 2 of the original plan, with the only change being the addition of Objective 4 under Goal 2, which discusses drought planning and assessment.
3. Likewise, Section 3 of the original plan was updated to reflect the new objective 4 under goal 2 in both the tabular summary, as well as the action item narrative.
4. Updated Tables 4.1 and 4.2 summarize the new allowable development allocations for each district.

 

Rationale:  The staff wants direction from the Committee on producers that have not met the requirement for the Nitrogen/Irrigation Certification Class, which is a Districtwide Rule.  By LPN records, 51 individual licenses expired on 4/1/2020 and 144 on 4/1/2021. Staff has not allowed individuals to obtain well permits, chemigation permits and variances along with not being eligible for cost-share.  LPN offers a lot of options, including take-home and online tests.  The Phoenix Database has allowed staff to obtain information quickly when producers contact staff about applications.  

The Committee directed staff to actively pursue producers that are in violation of required attendance at a Nitrogen/Irrigation Management Class or online testing option.  Staff will be sending letters to producers that have expiration dates of 4/1/2020, 2021 and 2022.       

2022 Nitrogen & Water Certification Summary
 

Date	Location	Re-Cert	New	Remarks
January 7th	David City	26	2	Table Top Exercise
January 12th	Fremont	11	2	Table Top Exercise
February 1st	Schuyler	30	6	Oak Ballroom - Workshop
February 3rd	Wanahoo	71	10	Table Top Exercise
February 7th	Lindsay	28	0	Table Top Exercise
February 15th	David City	31	14	Class - Butler County Agriculture Expo
February 24th	Columbus	37	8	Class
March 7th	Wanahoo	48	8	Table Top Exercise
March 15th	Coulmbus	23	1	Table Top Exercise (all had same Field info)
		305	51
	Online Testing	14	9
	Take Home Test	1	0
		320	60

Rationale:  The LPNNRD received 3 applications by March 15 that qualified to be reviewed by the Committee.  Attached are the 3 applications along with a map of the locations.  These sites could be beneficial for staff to provide real-time soil moisture this summer.  

Rationale:  Attached is the current approved flow meter list.

Meter maintenance cycle (4 years). Mechanical meter sites ($60). Electronic/battery powered sites ($75). The upfront battery cost is at the LPNNRD's expense and then in turn is billed to the producer for reimbursement.

Staff recommends removing any meter that requires a battery to either keep the meter running/collecting pumping data or to power the totalizer screen. Can we rely on batteries lasting 4 full years? We have had  talks with producers about replacing batteries after they have been installed for just 2 years. 

One of the advantages to a sensor flow meter such as Seametrics or a propeller style meter such as Senninger is that the installation requires fewer upstream/downstream distances from any obstructions that might jet the flow and cause it to be non-laminar. Water quality is also a concern for mag flow meters in some areas of the LPN District with high iron/manganese content that is naturally occurring. This may cause build up to occur on the magnetic sensor. If a producer is using chemigation and injecting upstream from a magnetic meter and it is located a short distance from the injection point, the totalizer could miscalculate.

For installation on McCrometer flow meters, they recommend 5-10 upstream pipe diameters from any obstructions and 1-2 downstream from any obstruction. With a straightening vane installed, it reduces those installs to 1.5 upstream and 1 downstream of any obstruction.

Would the battery powered meters that are currently already installed throughout the district be grandfathered in? And then would we continue to change those batteries for as long as the meter lasts? Or if their battery dies, do we cost-share to pay for a new meter with the new updated approved meter list? This upcoming Fall/Winter will be year 3 of the current 4 year meter maintenance cycle. Here is a list of the current number of meters that have a battery installed:

Battery changes only list:

Valley-1 (Mag meter)
Lindsay Growsmart-9 (Mag meter)
Seametrics- 20 (Mag meter)
Sparling-1 (Mag meter)
Senninger-62 (Propeller meter)
-These meters actually have a propeller but the totalizer screen is powered by lithium batteries. Routine preventative maintenance cannot occur on these meters. Producers also have had a hard time reading the meter screen as well due to the environmental cover not being rated for the sun's rays shining down on it.
 

Rationale: 

For 2022, so far, we have a current total of 215 permits. The renewal deadline is June 1st.
 

Rationale:  Staff have completed Spring Water Levels with a report at next Water Committee. 

Rationale:  The staff plans to do extensive water sampling for Summer 2022 from Platte Center to NW of Newman Grove.  Staff will also collect water samples in the Phase Areas for Quality Checks and help in determining why some areas within these Areas have lower nitrates.  
Other areas?  

Rationale:  Jon Beckstead, lieutenant for the Nebraska State Patrol, took the time to answer some questions about the hauling of livestock waste.  His answers are shown in red, with a link to the trucking guidebook.   

1. Can a livestock truck hauling manure cross state highways?  Can they travel down a state highway?  County Roads have different requirements?

A vehicle hauling manure can cross a state highway and they can travel down a highway (not to include interstate system).  County roads will have the same requirements as state highways.  I have attached state statue 60-6,383 for your review at the end of this e-mail.
 

2. CDL requirements for farm plates or commercial plates?

CDL’s are not required for covered farm vehicles see attached link to truck guidebook page 45.  Then on page 7 there is a chart that tells you if a commercial plated vehicle would need a CDL.
 

3. Does it depend on who owns the manure?

As far as ownership of manure it really doesn’t matter unless the vehicle is plated farm and they are hauling for hire then it would be a violation of farm plates usage. 

4. Do they have to cover the manure with a tarp?

They do not need to be covered however the driver is responsible to keep all contents from spill out of such vehicles (so if it is over the sides the general rule would probably be yes).  Special note it is $100 fine and a point off your license if found guilty.

5. How far can they travel?

There is no restriction on mileage they can travel within the state of Nebraska.

6. Trucks need to meet other requirements?  Like airbrakes?

If they are registered they will need to run taxed fuel in these vehicles.  There is no requirements for airbrakes on these types of vehicles.
 

7. Weights limits?  Like in the fall isn’t there a waiver for over loaded trucks during harvest?

These type of vehicles are exempt from weights unless they cross a culvert or bridge with a span of more the 60 inches (see statue).  Manure is not considered a seasonable product.  There is no seasonal permit for manure. They are still responsible for damage to roadways and bridges culvert excreta.

State Statue
60-6,383.
Implement of husbandry; weight and load limitations; operation restrictions.
(1) An implement of husbandry being operated on any highway of this state, except the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, shall be exempt from the weight and load limitations of subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section 60-6,294 but shall be subject to any ordinances or resolutions enacted by local authorities pursuant to section 60-681.
(2) An implement of husbandry being operated on any highway of this state shall not cross any culvert with a span of more than sixty inches or any bridge if the vehicle axle, axle groupings, or gross weight exceeds the limits established in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section 60-6,294 or weight limits established by bridge postings.
(3) For purposes of this section, an implement of husbandry includes (a) a farm tractor with or without a towed farm implement, (b) a self-propelled farm implement, (c) self-propelled equipment designed and used exclusively to carry and apply fertilizer, chemicals, or related products to agricultural soil or crops, (d) an agricultural floater-spreader implement as defined in section 60-303, (e) a fertilizer spreader, nurse tank, or truck permanently mounted with a spreader used for spreading or injecting water, dust, or liquid fertilizers or agricultural chemicals, (f) a truck mounted with a spreader used or manufactured to spread or inject animal manure, and (g) a mixer-feed truck owned and used by a livestock-raising operation designed for and used for the feeding of livestock.

Truck guidebook
https://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/2021-2022tgb.pdf

 

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 Estimate	County

 

Rationale:  Grants for Best Management Practices.

Staff and Committee discussed best management practices at the retreat and directed staff to continue to pursue a grant.  The practices that are being considered:

• Buffer Strips
• Iron Chlorisis products for high Ph soil to encourage crop rotations.  
• Cover crops
• Fertigation
• Variable rate irrigation 
• RO units for households
• Gravity to pivot conversions
• Soil Sampling

RCPP deadline - April 13
USGS deadline - May 3
WSF - July 31
NET - September 6

The Water Resources Research Institutes National Competitive Grants program (104G) is now accepting proposals

   

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources, requests proposals for research projects to improve and enhance the nation’s water supply and availability and promote the exploration of new ideas that address or expand our understanding of water problems. For the 2022 National Competitive Grants Program (104G), proposals must address one of four priority areas: Proposals are sought on the topic of improving and enhancing the nation's water supply and availability, and promoting the exploration of new ideas that address or expand our understanding of water problems, including the following specific areas of inquiry (levels of priority or not assigned, and the order of listing does not indicate the level of priority):   Abundance, location and persistence of legacy nutrients; and Trends of integrated processes, and Water Conflict

Rationale:  The Consortium met on March 11 to give an update on drought conditions.  Members of this group are PMRNRD, LPS, LPN, MUD, LWS and NeDNR.  This group developed a drought plan (2017-19) to assist in supplying water into the Lower Platte River System.  (Plan is attached)
Updates from the meeting:

• LWS reported that all wells are now operating, which has not happened since 2019.
• Missouri River Levels are low.
• Upper Platte Basin is considering allocations for irrigation canals.
• DNR reports that they are not expecting Platte River Water to go beyond Duncan this summer.
• As of March 8, the snowpack is at 90% normal.

The group had a brainstorming session on inter-and intra-agency communication, responsibilities and types.  The objective is to have a consistent message to present to the public.  A monthly update is sent with 13 attachments that discuss snowpack, reservoir capacities, water and climate updates.  If anyone is interested in receiving these updates, just let the water staff know.  There will be monthly phone calls during the summer with the group. 

Drought Dashboard link on NeDNR webite
https://gis.ne.gov/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=c0b751c512a24b83a6ad1c3214941ea8

These are some of the criteria for the Lower Platte North if water levels decline.  There is also a Level Three.   Complete rules are on the LPNNRD website.   

Groundwater Quantity Management Area - Level Two

Rule 1    Level Two Criteria

Rule 1.1     Unconfined Aquifer Criteria
Unconfined aquifer management subareas are to be designated within the District when conditions indicate a 10% drop in the saturated thickness of the aquifer. Assessment of percentage drop will be calculated utilizing the spring readings of District monitoring wells over a consecutive three (3) year period assessed against the 1987 baseline groundwater levels or a more recent baseline year groundwater level, adopted by the Board of Directors and revised in the Groundwater Management Rules and Regulations. When greater than 50% of the area within a subarea has reached, or exceeded the trigger level, then a Level Two management area can be established.  Assessment of the percentage of a sub-area will be determined by applying an area-weighting method to District GWEL wells. As more information becomes available subareas shall be further defined. Due to hydrologic considerations for point source groundwater users, a sub-area can be defined as the cone of influence created from commercial/industrial, public water supply, and/or recovery well(s) that seek to collectively supply groundwater equal to or greater than 300 acre feet per year to a single facility or operation. The cone of influence will be determined by the use of groundwater modeling software, such as MODFLOW, or a similar modeling program approved by Lower Platte North NRD. District GWEL network monitoring wells are not to be located on municipal well field property. After the establishment of a Level Two Area, if groundwater levels should recover, two consecutive spring readings below the trigger levels are needed before the Groundwater Quantity Management Area could be placed as a Level One management area.

Rule 1.2     Confined Aquifer Criteria
Confined aquifer management subareas are to be designated within the District when conditions, indicate a 7% drop in potentiometric-aquifer thickness. Assessment of percentage drop will be calculated utilizing the spring readings of District monitoring wells over a consecutive three (3) year period assessed against the 1987 baseline groundwater levels or a more recent baseline year groundwater level, adopted by the Board of Directors and revised in the Groundwater Management Rules and Regulations. When greater than 50% of the area within a subarea has reached, or exceeded the trigger level, then a Level Two management area can be established.  Assessment of the percentage of a sub-area will be determined by applying an area-weighting method to District GWEL wells. As more information becomes available subareas shall be further defined. Due to hydrologic considerations for point source groundwater users, a sub-area can be defined as the cone of influence created from commercial/industrial, public water supply, and/or recovery well(s) that seek to collectively supply groundwater equal to or greater than 300 acre feet per year to a single facility or operation. The cone of influence will be determined by the use of groundwater modeling software, such as MODFLOW, or a similar modeling program approved by Lower Platte North NRD. District GWEL network monitoring wells are not to be located on municipal well field property. After the establishment of a Level Two Area, if groundwater levels should recover, two consecutive spring readings below the trigger levels are needed before the Groundwater Quantity Management Area could be placed as a Level One management area.

Rule 2    Continuation of Level One Rules
Rule 3    Well Metering
Rule 4    Acre-Inch Allocations
Rule 5    Reduction of Irrigated Acres
Rule 6    Water Use Report
Rule 7    Best Management Practices Encouraged

The LPN Groundwater Rules and Regulations do not talk about drought directly.  The Committee directed staff to keep track of individuals who contact us on issues with their wells.  

 
 

Rationale:  Staff from LPN along with LENRD and UENRD met with representatives from NDEE to help in communication and discuss issues. NDEE is going around the whole state and meeting with all NRDs.  Part of the discussion centered around point and non-point contamination and who should be the lead agency.  Some of the issues fell in gray areas with more discussion needed.  Livestock facilities and applications were discussed extensively with NDEE following Title 130 as the guidance.    

Rationale:  Attached is the Support Plan options from the Phoenix Webgroup.  The past 2 years, the LPN has contracted for the Silver Plan for $2,500.  This plan has worked well for the staff.  

Rationale:  The Committee voted to change the meeting date from Wednesday to Tuesday until the April Committee Meeting.  Is the next Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 27, or is it going to stay on Tuesday nights?

The Committee decided to move the Water Committee Meeting back to Wednesday, starting at 6 pm.  The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 27, at 6 pm.  

Attached is Will's Monthly Report.

Rationale:  GMDA Summer Conference will be held June 20 - 22 at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado.