May 31, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting
| Agenda | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2. REGULATORY
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.1. Complaint Discussion
Rationale:
At last month's Committee and Board Meeting, constituents from the District asked the District to discuss an issue located in Section 4-15N-1E in Butler County. Staff met with both parties and they agreed to attend the Water Committee meeting on May 31.
Both parties were present at the Committee meeting. After discussion on surveying the land, erosion issues and compliance review by NRCS, the parties were going to work together on solving the issue. They are supposed to keep NRD staff informed on the solutions decided by the parties. Comments from Jovan Lausterer - LPNNRD legal representative on May 1, 2023: The Variance Application includes conditions which includes the following language "the district may void an approved variance at any time if the Board finds good cause to do so." It is my opinion then that if the District believes that good cause may exist to void a variance then they would set the matter for hearing before the board, hold an administrative hearing with the owner being entitled to present its case, and the Board would vote on whether "good cause" exists to void the variance or not. Furthermore, your stay management area adopted rules also have Section L, Rule 11 which allows the District to "cancel or void an approved variance at any time if the Board finds violation of the Districts rules and regulations..." Finally, the Rule 10(4) suggests that you can place a variance up for renewal review. The rule is silent if this is required to be done at the outset or if the District could later implement a renewal on a variance. As such, one could argue that if you decide not to void the variance that the Board could place it up for annual renewal in order to keep monitoring the situation. Jovan W. Lausterer Pictures attached.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.2. Variance Request in the Hydrologically Connected Area (Limited Development Area)
Rationale:
John Healy/Lonnie Kitt submitted an application last fall for expanded water use from an existing well in the NE 1/4 of S24-17-3E Colfax County. Currently, well G-035877 is used to flush an irrigation system that covers 225.1 acres. The main water source is the City of Schuyler lagoons. They would like to add another pivot irrigated system of 50 acres to the current system and continue to utilize the lagoon water.
The committee felt this would be a good cause variance but wanted to consider the amount of water being pumped by the irrigation well. Staff will contact John Healy to discuss the options. The application scored 307.7 with limiting factors in stream depletion and saturated thickness, which is to be expected with applications this close to the river.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.3. Variance with Allocation
Rationale:
Crucible Farms has submitted an application for a variance with an allocation in S1/2 SE1/4 Section 11-16N-2E, Butler County. The well G-169245 currently irrigates 39.16 acres in NE SE S11-16N-2E. He would like to add an additional 33.84 acres, which would increase the total acres to 73 acres. With the additional acres with a 27 inch rolling allocation, it would give Crucible Farms 14.48 acre inches over a 3 year period ending October 2026.
Attachments.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend approving Crucible Farms variance with allocation for G-169245 in the SE1/4 Section 11-16N-2E for 73 total acres. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.4. Well Permit Program
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.4.a. Well Permits Approved
Rationale:
Wells Permits Approved: #
The total number of approved permits for 2022 is #
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.5. Cost Share Programs
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.5.a. Flow Meter Maintenance Program
Rationale:
An Invoice for $23,876 from Island Lawn & Snow per flow meter maintenance contract.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.6. Bellwood Phase 2 Area
Rationale:
2023 is the twenty-first year for this Phase 2 Area.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.7. Richland - Schuyler Phase 3 Area
Rationale:
2023 is the eighth year of this Phase 3 Area. This Phase 3 area went into effect September 1, 2015. The 55 sections of this area first went into a Phase 2 Area in 2004. The ten sections that were in Phase 2 are now in Phase 3. As such, the 2020, 2021 and 2022 numbers (at bottom of table) are for 65 sections.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.B. CHEMIGATION
Rationale:
For 2023 we have 425 renewals and 16 new permit applications for a current total of 441. Inspections for 0 renewal permits have been completed.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.C. GROUND WATER ENERGY LEVELS
Rationale:
Attached are a couple of maps comparing 2021 to 2023 GWEL. Staff will continue to look at different ways of presenting the data.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.D. GROUND WATER QUALITY SAMPLING
Rationale:
Information on results from wells sampled in the Mead area.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3. GROUND WATER PROGRAMS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A. DECOMMISSIONED WELL PROGRAM
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A.1. Well Estimates
Rationale:
# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A.2. Plugged Wells
Rationale:
# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B. LOWER PLATTE NORTH NRD GROUND WATER STUDIES
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B.1. Phase Area Update
Rationale:
An invoice is attached for $10,845.50 from LRE per contract for Geological Assessment.
Practices approved as of 5/26/2023:
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B.2. TAPS PROGRAM
Rationale:
From Chuck Burr:
We have a TAPS participant from your NRD, Daniel Hilger. We were wondering if the Lower Platte North would consider being a sponsor for TAPS??? Most of the other NRD’s that are sponsors contribute $500 for 1 participant or $1,000 for two or more participants. Sponsors logos are included on our website, on all presentations and in the annual Banquet Report. If you are interested, we can send an invoice. Let me know if the Lower Platte North is interested in contributing. Thanks for considering, Chuck Burr Crops and Water Extension Educator Nebraska Extension 402 W. State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 308-696-6783 chuck.burr@unl.edu  What is TAPS: Mission Statement: To fully engage agriculturalists, scientists, educators, students and industry in an innovative endeavor, to TAP into the University of Nebraska's potential to facilitate and create an environment for all stakeholders to work together in finding solutions through innovation, entrepreneurialism, technological adoption, new managerial applications, improved techniques, and cutting edge methodologies for Nebraska's future farm's, farm businesses, and farm families to maintain profitability, sustainability, and productivity.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend contributing $500 to the TAPS programs for support of participant Daniel Hilger. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B.3. Lower Platte River Consortium
Rationale:
Please give this month’s episode a listen! (Links below.)
"Dehvynne and Alexa chat with the Lower Platte Drought Consortium (LPDC) group: Jennifer Schellpeper from NeDNR, Amanda Grint from Papio Missouri River NRD, Paul Zillig from Lower Platte South NRD, Daryl Anderson from Lower Platte North NRD, Steve Owen from Lincoln Water, and Rick Kubat from Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) of Omaha! Listen to learn more about this group's efforts regarding drought in the Lower Platte!" Listen here: Podbean: https://aroundthewatercoolerwithnednr.podbean.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cFyIo7XfcuYBrGXGdqTzS?si=18fe3932440c4eb7 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQkcHwxqTsxtZPcALRELFxxUFobLY9aai Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL0Fyb3VuZHRoZVdhdGVyY29vbGVyd2l0aE5lRE5SL2ZlZWQueG1s?sa=X&ved=0CAcQrrcFahcKEwiA_tOHs_X9AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg&pli=1 Thank you guys for working with us on this! You were awesome. ?? Dehvynne Ashmore - C.L.S.S.Y.B. Administrative Programs Officer I | Director’s Support Division Nebraska Department of Natural Resources 245 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 201 Lincoln, Nebraska 68521-6729 .png) .png) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.C. NEW MONITORING WELLS
Rationale:
Discussion on data loggers in the LPN monitoring wells. The staff explained the different options for the Committee to consider. Attrached are quotes from January 2020.
Staff will obtain additional information for the board meeting.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.D. Source Water Protection
Rationale:
Three communities have applied for a Source Water Protection Grant through NDEE. The communities are Lindsay, Newman Grove and Platte Center. If the grants are approved, they will be updating their Wellhead Protection Maps, increase education and water sampling. The LPN will be assisting in the education, water sampling efforts and well decommissioning as part of the in-kind match.
Since the committee meeting, Lindsay has decided not to pursue a Source Water Protection Grant. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
4. SURFACE WATER PROGRAMS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
4.A. STATE LAKES, FOR THE WEEK OF
Rationale:
This week's beach Bacteria and Harmful Algal Bloom results are now posted on the NDEE web page (Current Health Alerts and Sampling Results For This Week).
Good news for Memorial Day Weekend! There will be NO beaches on "Health Alert" this week. When a lake exceeds 8 ppb of microcystin it will be placed on "Health Alert".
We have 1 beach with E.coli testing above 235 colonies/100 ml.
Little to report this week, which is a good thing! Lake Minatare was the only lake that tested high for E.coli. Looks like weather across the state is shaping up to be perfect this weekend. So, head out to your favor lake and enjoy your holiday weekend!!! Justin Haas State Lakes Coordinator Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy P.O. Box 98922 245 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 100 Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-8922 Direct: 402-471-4224 | Main office: 402-471-2186 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5. GMDA Conference
Rationale:
GMDA conference is being held in Santa Fe. Agenda attached.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6. OTHER
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6.A. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
