July 11, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.

 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda?

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda. 

Rationale:  Attached is Director Saeger's and Hilgers excuse of absence from the June Board Meeting. 

Rationale:  Attached find a draft Director Absence Policy and comments and points for further discussion before a final policy is presented for approval.  

Rationale:  There has been some discussion on providing LPNNRD scholarships for graduating seniors in addition to the Shell Creek scholarships we currently offer.  Some discussion points include:
- District-wide eligibility
- Natural Resources, Ag. or Science-based requirement
- Directors from selected student's sub-district can present
- Provides more public outreach for LPNNRD
- Funding can be a combination of NRD / Directors / Staff
- Other discussion points welcome 

Staff will look into the requirements of creating a Foundation. 

 

Rationale:  Further discussion will be had regarding the Olsson contract amendment that was approved at last Board meeting.

Rationale:  Effective July 1st the IRS modified the mileage rate to 62.5 cents per mile. (see attachment) 

Rationale:  Minutes and recommendations are attached.

Rationale:  With Tom leaving effective the end of July, there will be a void in our Projects Department leadership as I see Ryan's involvement and activity in the Water Department to be increased in order to utilize his experience and expertise. Plans are to update and revise the Assistant Manager's job description to reflect these responsibilities.  It is my plan to change Sean Elliott's title from Rural Water Manager/Projects Coordinator to Rural Water/Projects Manager.  This is simply a title change at this time.

Rationale:  Due to vacations and other time commitments, we have developed a need to add one additional part-time staff member to our Wanahoo staff. 
Jonas Schnakenberg was hired earlier this week to help fill in hours at Lake Wanahoo Recreation Area.  We are not increasing our weekly hours, just an additional staff member to share the workload, 

Rationale:  Grant was not available to review the May Financial Statement which are attached are Grant's notes.

A motion will be needed at the Board Meeting to approve the Financial Statement.

Rationale:  Attached find Gottschalk's time and expense sheets.

Rationale:  If we plan to have a budget workshop we need to set the date and time.  We normally hold it before the August Board Meeting.

A Budget Workshop has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the NRD Office. 

Rationale:  To hold the Budget Hearing Monday, August 8th at 5:00 p.m. and Levy Hearing Monday, September 12th at 5:00 p.m. which is one hour prior to the scheduled Board Meetings.  

Rationale:  There is nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale:  Regarding the Wanahoo wetland renovation, DU is submitting for a different grant that has a better match ratio, which is due in July. If the new grant application fails, they will fall back on the original NAWCA grant. DU's private funds staff person thinks he can raise some private funding for this project to assist.

Rationale:  O & M staff have been inspecting and doing maintenance on watershed dams on cooler days. Clearing dead pines at Czechland Lake, moving broken concrete to eroded areas.
TJ Sabatka has harvested 2 beavers from Cottonwood 8-A, we owe him $125. We also have a new beaver problem on a Swedeburg Dam. 

Rationale:  Nothing new to report. Developing plans/specs to bid by end of summer.

Rationale:  Rieschick Drilling is completing the reconditioning of seven relief wells. According to what they experience when pumping before and after, they have gained volume or well capacity. We hope to have data by Board meeting. Pictures attached.
When we have data on how successful this process has been, we need to discuss with Olsson's on how many wells we want to clean in the new fiscal year for budget purposes.
The contract for these seven is $63,600.

Rationale:  Through FEMA's 428 Program we purchased a couple of chainsaws, ordered a Flow Meter for monitoring the relief wells on the Wanahoo Dam, and a Bobcat. We had to submit a scope change for a John Deere tractor for shredding because we stepped it up a size for more horsepower.

Rationale:  Last Board meeting we approved paying our annual contribution of $30,000 to the Weed Group for spraying invasive noxious plants along the rivers and tributaries. A question was asked about cost. Last year NE-IA Helicopters was paid $65,361 for 205 acres covered. Pay is based on hours of spraying and the amount of herbicide used. It comes out at $318/acre. Our contribution also assisted with surveying the rivers for noxious weeds. Any funds not spent are carried over.
This year the spraying will be rebid.

Rationale:  We have not received any applications or requests for payment.

Rationale:  For the month of May, the District received $18,128.50 in park permit revenue. The year by year break down of annual permit sales is listed below.
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD
May 2022	$14,877.50	$52,110.50
May 2021	$14,032.50	$62,595.00
May 2020	$29,177.50	$67,110.00
May 2019	$15,597.50	$55,095.00

Rationale:  For the month of May, the District received $20,720.50 in camping revenue. The year by year comparison is listed below.
 

Month	Month Total	YTD
May 2022	20,720.50	43,809.14
May 2021	18,148.57	50,833.79
May 2020	29,202.83	54,667.95
May 2019	13,572.47	27,160

Rationale:  During the month of June, the building was rented 17 times, with 3 NRD events. Revenue for the month was $720. There are 4 weekend openings between now and the end of the year, otherwise all Saturdays and Sundays are booked.
 

Rationale:  June’s KTIC Radio ad is to inform producers who need to renew their Nitrogen certification can attend the 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day at ENREC on July 19 or take an online test.
The Wahoo Newspaper e-ad will be available next month as they now have a staff member trained to switch it out for us.
July’s ads will feature the upcoming variance deadlines.
 

Rationale: 

FACEBOOK	Total Reach	Engagements	Followers
June 1-28	7,325	413	1,384
May	5,222	279	1,372
April	16,785	863	1,360

 

TWITTER	Total impressions	Engagements	Followers
June 1-28	3,114	140	372
May	2,140	112	367
April	9,962	481	365

Total reach/impressions show how many people saw the post/tweet. Engagements include likes, comments, shares/retweets and link clicks.

Top Posts on Facebook and Twitter:
• Stay at Pork Chop Island - 2051/72
• Summer events flyer - 1049/350
• 50 Years Open House flyer - 977/593
• Drought monitor update/link to Lower Platte River Consortium dashboard - 132/972
• June’s Coffee Lakeside flyer - 352/237

If you are on Facebook or Twitter, please like, follow, share, or retweet the Lower Platte North NRD posts!
 

WEBSITE	Users	Traffic Channel	Top Pages	Devices
June	1,833	Organic 69.2% Direct 19.1% Referral 10.1% Social 1.6%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Outdoor Recreation Downloads	Mobile 60.67% Desktop 37.7% Tablet 1.64%
May	2,228	Organic 67.2% Direct 21% Referral 9.7% Social 2.1%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Outdoor Recreation Contact	Mobile 59.83% Desktop 38.91% Tablet 1.26%
April	1,484	Organic 63.7% Direct 22% Referral 12.2% Social 2.1%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Forestry Staff	Mobile 55.35% Desktop 42.69% Tablet 1.95%

Traffic channels: organic traffic means they use a search engine then choose an option that includes lpnnrd.org, direct traffic means they type in lpnnrd.org directly (or have it bookmarked), and referral traffic is any other traffic not from a search engine or social (such as a link from another site).

Social clicks: 28 from Facebook, 2 from Twitter.
Referral clicks: 103 from Game & Parks, 20 from Visit Nebraska, 16 from NARD.
 

Rationale:  The Lower Platte North NRD will have a booth at the Butler County Fair on July 14-17. It will not be manned the whole time.

We will have a float in the Saunders County parade on Thursday, July 28 at 5pm.

Rationale:  The Lower Platte North is hosting an open house to celebrate 50 years of Nebraska's NRDs! Friday July 1, 1pm - 4pm. Flyer is attached

Rationale: 

• The 1st Annual NRD Natural Resource Camp was a success. It was a week-long, 9am -11 am camp hosted at Lake Wanahoo. I had 4 boys attend (three 11 year olds and one 7 year old). We fished, caught toads, flipped boards, dip netted for macroinvertebrates, dissected owl pellets, went birding, and more. I'm hoping to do this again next year with multiple age groups for a couple of weeks in June. See attached pictures :)
• Coffee Lakeside on June 16th was over frogs and toads. 7 adults and 1 child attended.
• I postponed the trivia and game night due to sick kids. I'm hoping to reschedule it for July. 
• I attended the LEED educators workshop at Ponca State Park this week. This workshop provided educators with more activities and lessons to do with students of all ages by providing two full days of hands-on activities. It was a great opportunity to meet other educators and network with teachers in my district. This workshop was completely free of charge (transportation to and from was on my own). 
• Future events:
  • Coffee Lakeside July 7th: Plant ID walk and prairie ecosystem discussion. See attachment.
  • Wildflowers and Wine July 20th: Native bees and prairies; plant ID walk; Cellar 426 wine tasting. 
  • Trivia and game night, July 21st.

Rationale:  I'm gearing up for the upcoming school year. I'm working on new lesson plans and activities to take to classrooms across the district. As a reminder if your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, etc., would like me to visit their classroom or if you have some great contacts within the schools, please send me their information so I can start getting classroom visits on the calendar. Communication with schools has been a learning curve, especially with the turnover rates, so I can and will take all the extra help I can get to establish a connection. Some of the new lessons I will be offering are below:

• Follow the "yellow brick road": Did you know Nebraska is the nation’s largest producer of popcorn? Where does the corn grown in Nebraska go? In this presentation we will discuss the types of corn grown, what it’s used for, and how the Ogallala Aquifer plays a role in Nebraska being 3^rd in the nation for corn production.
• Water and You: Water plays an important role in our everyday lives. From brushing our teeth to washing our clothes, we use water every single day. In this lesson, students will learn about all the ways we use water; realize how much they depend on water; they will work with others to create a raindrop collage; and then identify ways to conserve water. 
• Conservation Case Studies:Are you a middle school or high school teacher looking to help your students understand a real-world problem from all angles? Choose from our list of conservation case studies that will use role playing and group discussion to understand each stake-holder's perspective, and how it takes all of us to make a difference. Do you have a specific case study in mind? Let’s talk!  
   

These are just a few new lessons we will offer. We have lessons and activities, from plants and wildlife to watersheds and recycling and everything in between. Lacey and I are working together to get a new education flyer ready to send out to the schools in our district by August 1st.

Rationale:  Attached is the amendment to our existing easement for the well/pumphouse in Colon.  This has been forwarded to the Village for review/signing.
Elliott is revising the monthly coliform (bacteria) sample site plan (SSP) to allow for easier access.  Currently we have two sites (out of five) that require RWD staff to enter the residence/business.  This has been an issue more than once where RWD could not access the sample site.  New/proposed sites are  all outside and would not require staff to enter homes/business.  New SSPs must be approved by state before they can go into effect.
Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills in mail 6/30

Rationale:  The Village of Bruno was issued a formal violation from the State for chlorine residuals being below the threshold.  The Bruno RWD does not operate the Village and is not responsible for monitoring/sampling the Village's water.  The Bruno RWD has had lower than normal (still above threshold) levels of chlorine and contacted David City Water Dept. about the issue.  Dan Sobota, interim water supervisor, explained that they had been experiencing numerous issues with their chlorine injection system and was in the process of repairing/upgrading the system.
Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills in the mail 6/30.

Rationale:  Thad and Heath Kunz made a presentation to the Water Committee and discussed modeling and its value to the other NRDs they have assisted. Thad Kunz - Principal Hydrogeologist from Scottsbuff has worked on the Cohyst model along with modeling projects with the NRDs from the Western part of the state.  It was explained to the Committee and Staff that this would be the base model that could be used to develop specific models to answer questions for a certain area or project.  This base model will develop an updated boundary of the 10/50 line (Hydrological Connected Area) along with a new stream development factor (SDF).  The model cell size can be adjusted from 2.5 to 640 acres with a recharge value given to each cell.  Larger cells are recommended initially for the model runs.  

Paul Woodward attended and explained the numbers shown below.   
 
At last month's Water Committee and Board meeting, discussion was started on a Groundwater Modeling Project to assist in the Missouri Trib Model.  Staff attended a meeting with NeDNR, LPS and Papio NRD on June 15 to discuss more details of the project.  One item discussed was the size of the grid, which the groups felt 40 acre grids should be considered.  This will allow for accurate information if, in the future, more detailed modeling will be needed for Quantity or Quality Areas and Wellhead Protection Areas.  Attached is a Memorandum from Paul Woodward along with a flow chart showing the steps in the modeling process.
The group discussed the idea of one regional model or including an individual model per NRD.  This is a question that the Water Committee and Board need to decide.  The question to discuss, what is the long-range vision of the District in terms of surface and groundwater?  Costs for the District over 3 years are $20,955.56/year ($15,716.67 over 4 years) for the regional model or $26,222/year to include an individual model for LPN District.   From the meeting, NeDNR thought there would be no issue of contributing $188,500 or $235,000 respectively, depending on the direction of the Committee and Board.   

Paul Woodward got a cost estimate back from JEO for the groundwater modeling.  They provided a cost for a two-model scenario where the Lower Platte from Columbus to the mouth would be one model and the remaining area of the Papio NRD adjacent to Lower Elkhorn would be the other.  This cost estimate is $660,000.  If they did need to do an additional independent model (say one for each NRD), this would add another $225,000.  If I factor in NDNR paying approximately as much as the NRDs do collectively, then the two scenarios for WSF funding would look like this:
 

NDNR	188,500	28.561%		NDNR	235000	28.5%
LPN	62,866.67	9.525%		LPN	78666.67	9.5%
LPS	62,866.67	9.525%		LPS	78666.67	9.5%
PMR	62,866.67	9.525%		PMR	78666.67	9.5%
WSF	282,900.00	42.864%		WSF	354000	42.9%
	660,000				825000

 

Rationale:  Variances are due September 15.  The staff discussed scoring options with the Committee.  It was presented to the Committee, where a producer could receive additional points, if they have been implementing BMPs prior to submitting the variance.  If they need additional points, they could implement the practices over a 2-year period.  Suggestions to change chemigation to split application and to include grid sampling. Staff have reviewed the current and draft variances with the same available base points on both.  A comment was given that the variance process is for water quantity, so should water quality practices be included?  Staff and Committee will discuss at the July 27 Water Committee Meeting.  

Rationale:  Variances are due August 15. 

Rationale:  Request from the Yindricks':

Is it possible not to decommission John's well but take out all of the high capacity well equipment and put in a submersible pump to water cattle? He WOULD NOT use it for any form of irrigation. It is in the corner of the pasture and the pivot has been moved off and it would just be for a cattle tank. 

Cathy

The committee felt this was a reasonable request and irrigation well G-149371 cannot be used to irrigate the acres previously transferred to another location.  
 

Rationale: 

Wells Permits Approved: #

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total number of approved permits for 2022 is #

Location of Approved Well Permits for 2022:  Correct as of ####

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

 

Rationale:  Staff is in the process of writing a WSF grant per direction by Committee and Board at May meetings.  WSF grant is due July 31. 

Best Management Practices included in grant with dollar amounts.

• Iron Chlorisis products -$36,000
• Cover crops - $24,000 in addition to the NRCS contract
• Fertigation - $5,000
• Variable rate Nitrogen - $20,000 in addition to the NRCS contract.
• RO units for households -$20,000 (This is part of the infrastructure funding, so it will not be included)
• Gravity to pivot or SDI - $50,000 in addition to the NRCS contract
• Soil Sampling - $20,000 in addition to the NRCS contract
• Soil Moisture Sensors with advanced technology - $7,500
• Water Flow Meters - $170,000
• Hydrological Assessment - $56,000

The total cost of the Best Management Grant would be $408.500 with a 60-40 split. The grant would pay $245,100 with LPN share $163,400.  

Rationale:  Staff has been assisting UNL in obtaining cooperators in the Wahoo and Shell Creek Watersheds.  At this time, we have 4 cooperators in Shell Creek.  The staff has talked to 2 individuals in Wahoo Creek and are hoping to get signatures by early next week.  The goal is to get 5-7 cooperators per watershed.  The plan is to seed between August 1 and September 1 with no cost to producers for seed, applicator and operator. Seeding options for this cover crop projects are rye or rye/turnips/rapeseed.   Informal field days will be conducted when the fields are planted. 

Handout attached.  

Rationale:  Attached are the minutes from the April 19, 2022 Board Meeting.  An inter-local agreement was discussed at this meeting to extend the agreement for an additional 5 years.  Attached is the agreement which needs to be approved by NRD Boards and NeDNR to continue.   The group would like the inter-local signed by July 1.  As the Board has already approved $10,000 in dues for the upcoming year, staff would like either the Board Chairman or General Manager to sign the inter-local agreement on June 30.

The technical group met on June 28 to discuss drought plans for each district.  The LPN drought plan is a joint plan through the Consortium.  The group also discussed the amount of acres that will be allowed per district.  Staff reported that the LPN GW Management plan allows 200 AF of water per year.  Some districts are considering limiting acres because of the drought.     

Rationale: 

For 2022, we have 676 renewals and 34 new permit applications for a current total of 710.  Inspections for 124 renewal permits have been completed and 28 new permits.
 

Rationale: 

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

2 wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Payment	County
Jason Lutjens	Irrigation	$1,000.00	Platte
Martin J Ernst	Domestic	$449.90	Colfax

 

Rationale:  Attached are pictures from the demonstration field using SoyGreen on high PH soil.  

Rationale:  The group met on June 23 to update the conditions in the Lower Platte River System.  The Platte River has been declining, as shown by the Ashland River gage, but Lincoln Water System does not anticipate any actions this summer because all of their wells are now up and running.  They also reported about the study to consider a secondary water source.  

Rationale:  Fremont Lake No. 10 show high E.coli Bacteria from sample taken 6/20/2022.

Rationale:  Lee Seeman                Saunders         540 trees                     Wildlife Hab/Windbreak        $810.00

 

21-B-1

SEC. 7-15-2 (BELL 6-F)*

ROBERT SCHMIT

$             1,131.57

Gradient terrace

Rationale:  Construction on Tom Sprunks rock chute/grade stabilization structure has begun.  The NRD has approved up to 75% cost-share on engineers estimated total cost of $45,262 which is $33,945.  The NRD has $6,433.20 of Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) funds that need to be utilized by July 31, or returned to NET.  Tom Sprunk has incurred costs on this project and has submitted a $6,500 bill for the gravel and rock rip rap that has been delivered and yet to placed.  The NRD can reimburse Mr. Sprunk for the entire amount and then when project is completed the final payment will be adjusted to approved 75%.

Rationale:  We are wrapping up various Shell Creek projects to expend the remaining EPA 319 funds soon. As mentioned, the next step will be working with NDEE to obtain more EPA 319 funding for 2023 projects. JEO has submitted their completed work to Elbert Traylor, NDEE, who is working on the final Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan update.

Rationale:  Still awaiting the final sign-off from NRCS on the Wahoo Creek Flood Reduction Plan

Rationale:  JEO has completed the Phase II study portion.  We will work with NDEE about acquiring more 319 funds to assist with water quality projects within the watershed beginning in 2023.

Rationale:  Further discussion will be had regarding the Olsson contract amendment that was approved at last Board meeting . Attached is a $49,208.46 invoice for work completed on dam sites 26a, 26b & 27.  Also attached is a $31,335.53 invoice for sites 55, 66, 77, 82, 84, 85 & 86. 

 

Rationale:  The meeting to review RFPs for the BRIC funded study for the West Fremont/Platte Township that was scheduled for 6/23 was postponed.

Rationale:  On 6/24 JEO updated members of JWMAB on current status of the two studies they have been contracted to complete within the Rawhide watershed and the East Fremont/Elkhorn Township.  NRD staff was unable to attend.

Rationale:  The NRD recieved our invoice for the completed Rod and Gun club levee repair.  Tom Smith, Dodge County Emergency Manager, will be in attendance to discuss cost-overruns.

Rationale:  On 6/30 NRD staff will be meeting with JEO representatives to discuss grant procurement for the upcoming HMP update.

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.