September 8, 2014 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:  The NARD Fall Conference is scheduled for September 21-23 in Kearney.  The following Directors are registered to attend: Hilger, Johannes, Kavan and Pieke.

Rationale: 

 

Rationale:  Attached find Mountford's SWCS Meeting Report from Lombard, IL.

Rationale:  Weaver's monthly report is attached to the Executive Committee Minutes.  The monthly conference call was held on September 5th. 

Rationale:  The August Weaver bill is attached to the Executive Committee Minutes.  A motion to approve the monthly bill of $3,300 is appropriate.

Rationale:  Katie Camoron our ENWRA Coordinator will give a program on HEM (Helicopter Electromagnetic Mapping) and the planned flight lines for this fiscal year.

Rationale:  Attached find the NARD voting procedure and three resolutions that were submitted for discussion at Fall Conference.

Rationale:  Director Joe Birkel is interested in participating in the Nebraska Water Leaders Academy this next year.  The cost is $2,000.  Director Saalfeld participated in 2013 and encourages others to attend.

Rationale:  Director Ruzicka has asked to review the Committee Meeting Dates for January/February and Director Retreat which is normally scheduled for February.
Suggested Dates:

Monday, December 29th	O-E-RW Committee	8:30 a.m.
Monday, December 29th	Water Committee	5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30th	Projects Committee	8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, December 30th	Executive Committee	10:30 a.m.
Monday, January 12th	Board Meeting	1:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 29th	O-E-RW Committee	8:30 a.m.
Thursday, January 29th	Projects Committee	10:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 29th	Water Committee	5:00 p.m.
Friday, January 30th	Executive Committee	9:00 a.m.
Monday, February 9th	Board Meeting	1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 11th	Director Retreat	9:00 a.m.

Rationale:  We will not have a Financial Report until after all adjustments are received from HBE. HBE is planning on attending the October 3rd Executive Committee Meeting followed by the Audit Sub-Committee Meeting.

Rationale:  Attached find time and expense sheets from Manager Miyoshi.  A motion to approve them is appropriate. 

Rationale:  Last month budgeted income was set at $10,759,263 and our expenses at $11,115,098.  Below is a summary of where we are:

Budgeted Expenses	11,115,098
Budgeted Income	10,759,263
Reduction of Cash Reserve	355,835
Valuation Increase	11.8%
Property Tax Request	3,650,000	Reduction of 124,380 or -3.3%
Tax Rate	.046707	Reduction of 11.2%

Rationale:  No new payments.

Rationale:  No new payments.

Rationale:  No new contracts.

Rationale:  The O & M staff has been shredding at Homestead, Czechland, Sand/Duck Creek 2, Cotterell & Ames levees, and Rawhide Ditch.  We are currently on Rawhide.  We sprayed for Sericea Lespedeza with the tractor sprayer and backpack on the Wanahoo dam.  Cut some larger volunteer trees before shredding.

Rationale:  The District has not heard from the COE regarding any progress or the amount of funds needed to finish the study.

Rationale:  Game & Parks staff will start transplanting trees with a tree spade after Labor Day.  Reservations for camper pads are 100% full for the Labor Day weekend.

Rationale:  Haying is completed at Homestead, Chuck Andell paid $1,544 for 19.3 acres, at Czechland Dennis Prochaska paid $2,573.55 for 33.25 acres.  Mike Luben owes $465.75 for 5.75 acres and Chris Meduda on the Wanahoo area is not finished.

Rationale:  We received $1,647.50 from Schuyler Coop for Drill Revenue.  This payment reflects rental through August 4, 2014.

Rationale:  The two portable duck blinds are currently being put together and will be located on Lake Wanahoo this weekend for the upcoming youth mentor hunting season.

Rationale:  The NRCS conducted their assessments on Clear Creek 22-A and Bellwood 2-C on August 19th.  Heimann & Mountford accompanied the NRCS on Clear Creek 22-A.  A preliminary verbal report indicates no major issues with the structures, but it is uncertain regarding inundation downstream.

Rationale: 

A Wild Nebraska grant proposal by the NE Game & Parks Commission to enhance the grassland areas at Homestead Lake and keep it a viable wildlife management area is proposed.  The Federal Aid grant would help eliminate invasive trees and renovate grasslands.  The grant will assist at 75% cost-share, the estimated total cost currently is $15,116 and will not exceed $30,000. 

Game and Parks still has to gain Federal Aid approval, when this happens we will then approve a 10 year contact to do the work.

Rationale:  There are no payment requests for bank stabilization.

Rationale:  This month we are running ads on the variance application deadline and the Lake Wanahoo detour. 

Rationale:  This month we are running an ad notifying people of the upcoming detour at Lake Wanahoo.

Rationale:  The fall print edition of the Viaduct newsletter will go to papers in mid- to late September. 

Rationale:  An Open House will be held at the Platte Center Auditorium on Thursday, September 18, 5:30-7:30 to discuss the final “geomorphic assessment” report and its recommendations. A news release was sent to Nebraska Farmer and other local media, and a poster was developed to place in coffee shops, co-ops, etc. 

Rationale:  We will be assisting David City High School classes with a water quality assessment in the David City Park. Students will collect and test samples and do a survey of aquatic life in the pond. 

Rationale:  Our eMeeting training was held August 19, and the new system will be used for committee meetings and board meetings from now on. 

The Directors Download page will remain active for documents & information unrelated to board meetings. 

Rationale:  Coliform samples will be taken on August 28th, sample results will be known by board meeting.

With recent storms, some erosion has occurred along the trench of the pipeline, staff will be working to fill these washouts in before winter.  A pile of dirt at Homestead Lake will provide the soil needed for the work to be completed.  

Rationale: 

Coliform samples will be taken on August 28th, sample results will be known by board meeting.

Six Colon customers have been sent disconnection notices and staff will be visiting these people closer to the 10th of the month.

Staff  shut water service off to a non-paying customer in Colon.  Payment schedule has been discussed with customers but no payment has yet been received.

Mary Wirka has met the requirements to have her deposit returned back to her.  Staff will return her $100 deposit.  

Rationale:  No new developments.  Cedar Bluff is currently testing various pumping regiments to determine if it affects arsenic levels in water.  

Rationale:  No new developments.  Staff from the Village of Brainard and Dwight are currently testing irrigation wells to determine water quality in the area for possible development of a shared well field.  

Rationale: 

• Staff has been working on a proposal to help Tim Bryson with some issues that the COE is currently having with work that has been done on his property. 
• Staff is currently waiting for and extension to be granted on the 404 permit that was issued to Game and Parks Commission to complete work out at Czaechland lake. Without this permit, construction of the improvements can not begin.
• Staff has reviewed the Interlocal Agreement with Game and Parks Commission on the operation of Lake Wanahoo, revisions will be made once changes are agreed too. 

Rationale: 

• One new well interference complaint from Section 14, T14N, R5E or 4 miles west of Weston.  He didn't give his name or contact a well driller but said this is the second year in a row that he has had problems.
• Follow up on Bryan Rozic well interference complaint.  Site visits were done on August 14th and August 21th.  Photographs were taken on August 14th of the proposed new supplement well for David Carlson (Kent Langemeier tenant) in SW1/4, Section 34, T16N, R8E that was approved by the Board on April 14, 2014.  Drill rig was in place but drilling didn't start until after August 15th. Letters were sent to area irrigation well owners on August 19, 2014 urging them to conserve water.  Talked to Scott Subbert of Subbert Well & Septic Company and he said Mr. Rozic remaining option is to drill a new well and hope good quality water exists in a deeper formation.  Mr Rozic was present at committee meeting and part of the discussion.  He requested that the NRD cost-share on a replacement well for him which is estimated to cost $12,000.  Staff and committee members do not want to start a precedence by cost-sharing on replacement wells.  Mr. Rozic plans to come to board meeting to make this request to the entire board.

Rationale: 

• Non-hydrologically Connected Areas (white areas) made up 14.88% of the District before the SQS areas were declared.  Now that the SQS areas are in place the remaining Non-Hydrologically Connected Areas make up 6.0% of the District.
• Staff recommends that if additional irrigated acres are awarded that the top priority be given to corner systems and/or completing a circle if less than 20 to 25 acres.

Rationale: 

• The district has received nine new applications for 180 acres in the Hydrologically Connected (Limited Development) Area since the last water committee meeting.

• The deadline for variance applications in the HCA is September 15, 2014.  This information has been placed on our webpage.

Rationale: 

• The deadline for variance applications in the NHCA was August 15, 2014.

• With the exclusion of the Special Quantity Subareas, the NHCA now makes up just 6% of the total District.

• Counting previous year's and this year's requests makes a total of 1,493.88 acres and these have been ranked (see attached spreadsheet).  If acres are to be awarded, staff recommends top priority be given to corner units and completing a circle of less than 25 acres.

Rationale: 

• No new variance requests.

• Variance requests for expanded irrigated acres from this area will be placed in the same category as its adjoining section, either HCA or NHCA.

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Line Rider LLC is requesting a supplemental well for their ground in the N½ of the NE¼ in Section 21-T18N-R6E in Dodge County (North Bend Subarea). The ground is currently irrigated by a well in the S½ of the the same ¼ but, due to a change in ownership, they would like to drill their own well and install their own pivot. The test hole is attached.

Rationale: 

Phil Buhman is requesting a replacement well in the NW¼ of the NW¼ in Section 2-T18N-R1E in Platte County.  They believe that they are having well construction issues and would like to replace the existing well.  This is the first replacement well inside of a Special Quantity Subarea. The well currently irrigates 108 acres.  Since this is a replacement well is was approved by staff.

Rationale:  On August 22nd Russ Oaklund investigated a complaint of an end gun watering a county road.  This water was from a pivot located in the SW1/4, Section 36, T15N, R4E owned by Duane Ratkovec.  When Russ arrived the end gun had been turned off and he talked briefly with Mr. Ratkovec.

Rationale: 

An initial complaint noted irrigation from end guns on land owned by Liberty Land & Livestock LLC that exceeded the approved number of acres.  Following action by the Board on August 11, 2014 a Cease & Desist Order was mailed to Liberty Livestock on August 13th, which they received on August 15, 2014.  
Operation of the end gun on the pivot in SW1/4, Section 32, T18N, R6E was approved by LPNNRD staff, while operation of the end guns on pivots in the SE1/4, Section 32, T18N, R6E and SW1/4, Section 33, T18N, R6E were not.  

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Staff have been working on submitting a NET grant request, which is due September 5, 2014.  We may not know the final outcome of our grant request until February or March of 2015.

Rationale: 

Staff is reviewing our current list of approved flow meters and will likely need to make some modifications. For example, it appears Seimens no longer makes propeller meters and has switched to ultrasonic and electromagnetic meters.  See attachment.

Rationale: 

Allocation for 2015 will need to be discussed and set before December 15, 2014.  If the Board does not set the allocation by that date, the default rolling allocation will be 27 acre inches for a three year period.  This allocation will first take effect in the Butler-Saunders SQS in 2015, and take effect in the Platte-Colfax SQS in 2016.

Rationale: 

• The first Technical Committee meeting for the Basin Coalition was held on July 10, 2014 in Ord NE at the Lower Loup NRD.  Much of the discussion focused on the Goals and Objectives.  The next meeting will be held in Norfolk at the LENRD on September 3, 2014.

Rationale: 

• The last Stakeholder meeting was held on August 5, 2014 at the LPNNRD office in Wahoo NE. Information on the Water Inventory and Water Balance Study was presented and is due to be finished this fall.  The next Stakeholder meeting is scheduled for October 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the LPNNRD office.

• The next Coordination meeting between LENRD, LPNNRD, and Olsson Assoc. is scheduled for September 2, 2014 at the LPNNRD office starting at 10:00 am.

• The NRD has received an Invoice for $12,446.39 from Olsson Assoc. for services rendered through August 2, 2014 (see attached invoice).

Rationale: 

338 kits have been requested and sent out (43 of these have been requested earlier the week of August 25 - 26, 2014).  The results from 136 of these kits have been received from HHS/Lincoln with a range of 0.00 to 33.0 ppm.  Thirty water samples were received on August 26th and 48 more on August 27, 2015.

Rationale: 

Seven kits have been requested and these were mailed out.  The results from four of these kits has been received and the results have been mailed to the well owner.  This cost-share program is available only in the Phase 2 areas.

Rationale: 

No new on-line test requests since the last committee meeting.

Rationale: 

• Acre  Certification Update: Staff continue to meet with Saunders County producers. All Saunders County mailings have been sent at this point with a due date for the second batch coming up the first week of September. Of the roughly 1800 sent out, almost 1000 have been returned, the overwhelming majority of which have been through individual meetings. Staff is starting work on Dodge County corrections and should be able to begin sending them out after harvest.

• Brian Sanderson Corner Unit: Prior to changing the rules for Saunders County to not accept Assessor Records as proof of irrigated acres, Mr. Sanderson was informed by a Board Member that as long as he had the proof of irrigation he could add two corner units. This was perfectly acceptable until the rule change; therefore Mr. Sanderson purchased a corner unit and has plans to purchase another. The one that has been purchased was purchased prior to the rule change and therefore met our rules at the time. The one in question is the second Corner Unit that Mr. Sanderson would like to add to NW ¼, Section 14, T16N, R7E (see attached map).  Modeling the proposed Corner Unit (225ft for the unit and 100ft for the end gun) adds right at 13 additional acres to the NW ¼.  Mr. Sanderson would like approval from the committee to purchase this additional corner unit as he was given the go ahead from a Board Member prior to the Rule Change.

Rationale: 

2014 is the twelfth year of this Phase 2 Area. 39 producer sample results have been received (range of 0.93 to 21.6 ppm).

32 of these sample results were received the day of the Water Committee meeting.

Rationale: 

2014 is the eleventh year of this Phase 2 Area.  97 producer sample results have been received (range of 2.37 to 33.0).

35 of these sample results were received the day of the Water Committee.

Rationale: 

Permit Type	Current Fee	Maximum Fee
New	$30	$150
Renewal	$10	$100
Emergency	$100	$500

Rationale: 

No new livestock permit applications have been received from DEQ.

Rationale:  Four new wells have been reviewed and approved by Gottschalk for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Jamie Yindrick	2 Domestic wells	$854.60	Butler
Gary Wirka	Irrigation well	$877.13	Saunders
Robert Bartek	Irrigation well	$669.32	Saunders

Rationale: 

No wells are ready for cost share payment this month.

Rationale: 

• Training by USGS to use the MODFLOW model developed for the ELM project was held July 29-30, 2014 at LLNRD in Ord.  Angle and Schomer attended the training.  The next training is scheduled for September 24 & 25, 2014 in Kearney right after the NARD Conference.
• Attached is an invoice of $5,000 from LLNRD for training using the ELM model.

Rationale: 

Katie Cameron (ENWRA coordinator) is asking members of the Technical Committee to review the ENWRA application for an NET grant.  The due date is August 29, 2014.  The northern half of the ENWRA flightlines over eastern Nebraska maybe delayed until the Spring of 2015.  Scheduling conflicts with the helicopter company is part of the problem.  LENRD had made earlier arrangements to fly a portion of their District this fall and it looks like those will be flown as scheduled.

Rationale:  The summer readings for the monitoring wells owned by the multi-agencies in the Wann Basin subarea and near the Former Ordnance plant near Mead were measured on August 26, 2014.  This data is used in the ground water modeling efforts of MUD, LWS, and the USACE.

Rationale: 

• Staff has been sampling the statewide network sites throughout the summer.  As of August 27th, we have collected samples at 47 of the 53 sites. Nitrate results range from 0 to 20.7 ppm.

• Staff has sampled 106 wells in Colfax County, 88 of which are in the Richland-Schuyler Phase 2 area. Nitrate results range from 0 to 70.3 ppm.

Rationale:  Lake Wanahoo will be added to DEQ sampling list for area lakes.

Rationale: 

One Lake tested high for E. coli bacteria this week. E. coli levels measured above 235 colonies/100 ml of sample are considered a higher risk for illness when swimming.  Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels although DEQ wants people to be aware and use their own judgment on their use.

• Fremont Lake #9 in Dodge County

 

 

Rationale: 

Three Lakes will be on “Health Alert” this week. It is DEQ policy that any lake that has microcystin levels over the established criterion of 20 ppb will be placed on “Health Alert” Status until such time that it has tested below 20 ppb for two continuous weeks. If a lake is under a Health Alert, signs will be posted recommending people avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing, and camping are OK.

• Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County                     
• Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County
• Oliver Lake in Kimball County

 

Rationale:  Interns have ended their summer employment with the Lower Platte North NRD and have returned to UNL.

Rationale:   SWCP Approvals:             50% 75%      
BRT Farms Saunders Flow Meter $625.00
Don Yindrick Butler (Skull Cr.) Terraces/Tile/Basins $12,500.00
Gary Vandenberg Butler Flow Meter $625.00
Daryl Glodowski Colfax Terraces/Tile $12,500.00
Robert Schmit Butler  Planned Grazing(EQIP) $340.83 (14%)
Gary Mintken Dodge Diversion/Waterway $2,712.20
(complete project approved last year)

Rationale:  SWCP Payments: 15% 50% 75%

Raymond Sedlacek Terraces/Tile (w/EQIP) $ 1,548.57

Rationale:  Raymond Sedlacek Terraces/Tile (w/EQIP) $ 2,576.19

Rationale:  Richard and Robert Paseka Terraces/Tile (w/EQIP) $ 12,500

Rationale:  Richard and Robert Paseka Lands for Conservation 100 acres $ 22,000

Rationale:  Last month, the Board approved an agreement with EA Engineering to complete EPA 319 and Environmental Trust grant applications for the Shell Creek Watershed.  Dan Bigbee and Jamie Suing, EA Engineering, were present to review draft applications and answer questions.  

Rationale:  The Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan draft is complete and being reviewed by NDEQ, SWIG & LPNNRD. An open house to present the plan for public input will be 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Platte Center Auditorium on September 18, 2014.  

Rationale:  Director Bailey reported that the engineer is working on the no-rise certificate that is required by the City of Schuyler before they can proceed with the project.

Rationale:  JEO has began work on Phase I of the Wahoo Water Quality Plan that include a detailed analysis of the Wahoo Creek Watershed priority sub-basins and land treatment practices.  If an invoice is received from JEO for work completed by the Board Meeting, a motion to pay will be requested.

Rationale:  Meghan Sittler's July LPRCA report is attached.  Her August report will be attached by Board Meeting.

Rationale:  The project is 65% complete overall.  A new construction deadline has been extended to October 15th due to weather related delays.  Some of the delays are due to area landowners and irrigation runoff from fields adjacent to construction area. 

Rationale:  JEO is working on community follow-up for completing our Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Dates for public meetings are tentatively scheduled for October 9, 14 & 16.  

Rationale:  Mountford and Heimann met with with Platte County on August 22 to discuss a potential grade stabilization project on landowner Mark Luchinger's property.  The County is replacing a bridge with three 9 foot culverts at this location and the landowner desires that the County and LPNNRD work with him to stabilize an eroding drainage on his property. The County will be discussing this topic in the near future.  

Rationale:  Bids were opened by the County on August 26th and ME Collins was low bid for paving County Road 17.  The County will approve and award the bid at their September 2nd meeting. 

Rationale:  Attached find income and expense summaries from Game and Parks and the NRD's monthly expense summary. 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Work on the dam road will begin on September 8th.  Staff has allowed the Contractor, Constructors Inc. a small area on the West side of the dam to store millings and supplies for the roadway in exchange for the rock surfacing to be stockpiled for future use within the Park.   

Rationale:  All dams are full and functioning as designed.  Staff is looking into fall spraying and seeding on some areas.

Rationale:  Segment 4B of the Western Sarpy/Clear Creek Project was awarded to Klocke Inc. of Palmyra, MO with a bid of $2,894,834.  Contractor has mobilized, started clearing and grubbing trees and placement of fill within the area.  

Rationale: 

14-B-33 Robert Schmit W/S Basins $4,065.57
13-C-48 Jeff Muhle W/S Basins & Diversion $3,194.10

 

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.