December 1, 2022 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  SCWIG Meeting Planned for Tuesday 12/6, 10:00 AM, at Bill and Melissa's office.

Rationale:  We recently received news that our NRCS WFPO Watershed Plan Environmental Assessment was signed off by headquarters.

Our NRCS grant for Wahoo Creek Watershed Planning/Design was extended for 1 year with a new expiration date of 12/1/2023.  NRCS is aware the project will need several more extensions with an anticipated completion date of 1/31/2024.  If unanticipated delays or permitting delays occur, we could be looking at an August 2025 completion date for planning, design, and permitting.

Rationale:  Olsson is working on setting up a meeting with the Corps in December to discuss permitting.  They are also setting up a meeting with NRCS to update them.
Invoices were received after the committee meeting and attached along with the progress report.  These are being paid per Olsson agreement and will be submitted for reimbursement though NeDNR WSF, NeDNR JEDI funds, and NRCS WFPO funds.

Rationale:  We received a draft agreement from NeDNR for $19,667,600.

Rationale:  An Alliance meeting was held at LPSNRD on November 9th.  The agenda, public notice, and May meeting minutes are attached.  A few items of interest to the LPN:

• The LPNNRD was re-instated as a voting member.
• USGS reported on stream gage sites and the potential for a detailed long term water quality trend analysis.
• The success of our ice camera project and the partnerships were discussed in detail.  Papio is interested in adding additional cameras at their cost.
• Papio and LPS submitted a joint 319 grant for their priority areas.  LPN will be setting up stakeholder meeting soon in their priority areas (Skull & Bone) with the intent of submitting a 319 grant application in the future.

Rationale:  JWMAB public meeting was held on 11/15 at Fremont City Council Chambers with several dozen attendees.  Project grant updates were given along with a public presentation on the East Fremnot/Elkhorn Township Drainage Improvement Project.

Rationale:  As previously mentioned, a public presentation was given during the JWMAB meeting on 11/15.  The PowerPoint is attached.  An additional meeting occurred on 11/28 where it was generally agreed that the City will be the lead agency to apply for the grant(s) and lead the project(s).  An agreement between the sponsors is due in June 2023 regarding how the 25% local match will be split.  This is roughly $12 to $15 million in local costs within 5 to 7 budget cycles.  O&M agreements are not needed until construction begins.
What is a reasonable contribution from the NRD?

Rationale:  A project kickoff meeting occurred on 11/22.  The project area along problem areas were presented and discussed (maps attached).

Rationale:  After the public JWMAB meeting on 11/15 a Rawhide presentation was given by JEO - attached.  A "60% Status Meeting" is scheduled for 12/1 with NRCS.

Rationale:  We reviewed a draft workplan with JEO based on the RFP.  A contract will be developed soon reflecting the estimate from JEO's RFP proposal of $155,000.  Staff are suggesting a grant submittal to NEMA/FEMA of additional funds to cover any unforeseen circumstances or NRD requested additional assessments.  Additional assessment examples include a drought management plan, water supply/access for fire response, among others.  Direction form the Water Committee meeting was to seek the possibility of developing a Drought Management Plan.  Projects committee recommended staff to work with JEO to come up with an appropriate amount to cover a desired Drought Mitigation Plan and any potential additional assessments.

Rationale:  A Morse Bluff Levee Coalition meeting was held on November 16, with 20 attendees.  The Coalition is requesting Saunders County to provide designs and cost estimates that will then be used to engage potential funding sources.  The County Board is in the process of requesting two estimates from the county engineer for design and rough construction estimation:

• From Highway 79 west to Co Rd 27
• From Highway 79 east to the east side of Wolf Lakes

Rationale:  Colfax County is currently coordinating with the City of Schuyler to partner on the project.
There is the potential to create an IPA (Individual Project Area) that would accept JEDI funds to complete construction, leaving longterm maintenance costs up to landowners that benefit from the project.

Rationale:  Elliott met with Joe Placek to discuss options regarding an ongoing erosion complaint on ground he inherited.  His farm's tenant was sued by the neighbor over fenceline erosion and has a court order to repair the damage (attached).   Elliott explained the NRD's cost-share options and discussed structural/vegetative options; e.g. fenceline basin and perennial vegetation.

Rationale:  A company called Magnolia Land Partners reached out to us looking for opportunities to complete wetland restoration.  They recently received funding from NRCS to create a mitigation bank for Farm Program compliance.
There may be potential for the NRD to utilize some of the funding for our required wetland/stream mitigation work that is required within our Wahoo Creek Flood Reduction Plan.  Staff will be meeting with ACOE, NRCS to discuss mitigation specifics later this month and will discuss this option.

Rationale:  Request for a letter of support for the development of a "rail-with-trail" from David City to Columbus.  See attached request.

Rationale:  We received a request to facilitate reestablishing a bike trail link between Old Hwy 8 and a frontage road to US Hwy 275/30 that is being removed during building of the interchange.  The request was forwarded on to the City of Fremont mentioning that we may entertain a request to help but typically do not lead projects like this.