March 31, 2022 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  We currently have $54,540.06 of state allocated SWCP funds remaining for FY22 of the original $85,024.81 allotment.  We have until 7/31/22 to disburse them or they will be rolled over to next year's allocation.  

Attached is the 2022 SWCP policy for official approval.  Bob Heimann will be present to discuss a proposed change to our Tree Cost-Share program to allow cost share in some instances when trees are planted by the cooperator.  Attached is the proposed tree cost share list. The first 4 will be planted by the District. Chromy is doing his own with our rental tree planter. Bob thought maybe cost share on hand plants 600 or greater at 50%.
 Ex: 600 x $2= 1,200 if we plant them, their cost 25% = $300.  If they hand plant, 600 x $1 =600 at 50% = $300.  So it’s no more or less.
The only other update to the policy is our 2022 Lands For Conservation program.

Rationale:  Heimann submitted the applications he's received for this year's tree plantings.  They are listed below:

NAME	COUNTY	TREE #	TOTAL COST	NRD COST-SHARE
MIKE REZAC	SAUNDERS	250	$      500.00	$                375.00
AARON BARTEK	SAUNDERS	225	$      450.00	$                337.50
LEE SEEMAN	SAUNDERS	570	$   1,140.00	$                855.00
SETH MCGINN	DODGE	1335	$   2,670.00	$             2,002.50
BILLY CHROMY	BUTLER	1325	$   1,325.00	$               662.50
TOTAL		3705	$   6,085.00	$             4,232.50

Waiting for our summer applications from NRCS.  

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  The earth work on South Shell Creek Channel Improvement/Benching Project has been completed.  Colfax County is working with the contractor and will invoice us for the completed work. We will be reimbursed for the majority of this expense from approved grant funds.  The county is also working on a couple of smaller channel stabilization projects that might be completed by July 1, 2022. Bill Bos continues to work on landowner conservation projects and septic system upgrades. 

Rationale:  Tom Sprunk continues to work with NRCS and a local contractor on preliminary design and costs for one or two additional stabilization projects on his property on Shell Creek tributaries. These proposals are anticipated soon. 

Rationale:   We will be using up to approximately $290,000 of grant funding  to help  complete various Shell Creek projects by July 1, 2022.  We also have budgeted $100,000 of local LPNNRD funds to assist as well. Mountford met with Bill Bos, our Shell Creek Watershed Technician, to estimate the various projects that could occur: 
Completion of the Shell Creek Channel Improvement/Benching Project ($150,000 - $200,000); Tom Sprunk Grade Stabilization Project $50,000, Various landowner projects ($50,000). Colfax County Stabilization projects ($100,000).  While these are rough estimates, it appears we would have enough total funding to participate in these projects if everything falls into place. 

Rationale:  We received an application for a septic system upgrade within the Shell Creek Environmental Enhancement plan watershed, estimated 60% cost-share rate:
 

KEVIN VEEDER

$6,000.00

Rationale:  We are still awaiting final NRCS approval of our Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan, but anticipate that approval soon. The final draft plan can be viewed at:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ne/technical/engineering/?cid=nrcseprd1492259
We have received a $3,870 invoice from FYRA for their work with NRCS and involvement with our public meeting. During this invoice period, they reviewed agency comments and developed reply letters, updated the Plan-EA with information from those comments, attended the projects committee meeting, and reviewed comments from Headquarters. After this payment, $2,187.75 will remain unpaid on the $740,763 FYRA contract.
We will report on the outcome of the Wahoo Creek Public information meeting held Monday, March 28th (Agenda attached). There was a good turnout for the meeting with approximately fifty people in attendance, the majority being landowners and tenants affected by the dam sites. 

Rationale:  Attached is the March 22, 2022, progress report and invoice from Olsson totaling $75,985.19. This invoice is for geo-tech activities at Wahoo Creek dam sites 55, 66, 77, 82, 84, 85 and 86. After this payment, $1,482,124.02 will remain under contract.  

As mentioned under the Wahoo Creek Planning agenda item above, an update was given about the outcome of our March 28th public meeting on LPNNRD moving forward with the process to complete our ten watershed reduction dams by December, 2026.  Andrew Phillips, Olsson, said that hydraulics and hydrology have been started on sites 26a, 26b & 27.  Olsson has also had an initial meeting with the USACE on 404 permitting for the dams.

Rationale:  As we start looking ahead to completing 10 dams by the end of 2026, there will be an accelerated workload that will require additional internal or external assistance. Besides coordination with our engineer firm and the construction contractor, there will be a lot of involvement with landowners, particularly securing project land rights. We anticipate over 70 landowners who we will be negotiating easements and this could be a very time-consuming process.  Besides adding an additional staff member, there would be an opportunity to hire outside land rights assistance during the appraisal process. The committee started this discussion which will continue at future meetings. 

Rationale:  A report will be given on the outcome of a March 28th partner meeting with JEO to review project options for drainage improvement east of Fremont. Attached is the Agenda along with options that were discussed at that meeting. While everything is still in the very early planning phase, it appears the best path going forward will be to combine alternatives as presented on Agenda No. 6. showing flood reduction within Fremont and on agricultural land east of the city (refer to Working Alterative - 5 Year Storm Map).

Rationale:  An update will be given on the Rawhide Creek Planning effort.  Attached is the agenda and the first three chapters of the draft Rawhide Creek Watershed Plan sections for your review.

Rationale:  No new information to discuss.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  The Projects Committee Adjourned at 8:33 a.m.