June 29, 2023 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  LPN was contacted by LENRD about interest in submitting a formal request to the NRC to approve "slip-lining" as an accepted practice within the NeSWCP.  By deeming it an accepted practice this would allow NRDs to utilize our state SWCP allocation towards the practice.  
Slip-lining involves the lining of an existing conduit (CMP e.g.) with a high density polyethylene HDPE pipe to restore structural integrity that can be lost due to CMP degradation.

Rationale:  JWMAB was invited to present at the Nebraska Water Center Conference during a flood planning breakout session, October 3rd and 4th in Omaha.  The preliminary plan is to have Kevin Kruse with JEO give the presentation.

Rationale:  Partners held a meeting on June 19 and met again with NEMA on June 22.  The City is planning to increase the local match from 25% to 30% so the project scores better in the national review.  This increase does not affect the NRDs contribution.  The City is drafting interlocal agreements for funding and maintenance based on the NRDs motion from last month - "The LPNNRD will commit 20% not to exceed ($2,216,125.50) and annual mowing for the Elkhorn Township Project excluding the portion that is in the City of Fremont named storm sewer."
The NEMA meeting went well and their staff seemed supportive of the project and think it should score well due to the green infrastructure pieces.  NEMA staff will review the application and give suggestions back to JEO and the partners.  Partners are still working on a few letters of support.  In particular, the NRD will be seeking one from the Lower Platte River Consortium.  Once the HMPG is submitted we will begin to engage our congressional delegation.
The State has funding from the Governor's Emergency Fund for FEMA grants, up to 12.5% of total project costs.  Unfortunately, this project is not eligible because there are several entities contributing funds.  The guidance is attached (specifically page 8).  We may want to engage with our state representatives on this issue in the future.

Rationale:  Project partners had a progress meeting on June 19th (agenda attached).  As a reminder, this project involves 4 small projects: Merlyn England Detention, Airport Detention, Rawhide Creek Berms, and Cutoff Road Raise and Brush Creek Dam Berms.  Projects are linked, yet not enough that one is contingent on the other.  As such, the Rawhide Creek Berms project is questionable due to cost/benefit reasons.  The summary of Conceptual Project Costs is attached.
A progress meeting is being scheduled with NRCS for later in July or early August and a general public open house is being scheduled for late August or September at the Fremont NRCS office.
Our next partner progress meeting is scheduled for Monday July 17th, 1:00pm at the Dodge County EOC.

Rationale:  Dodge County posted the final public notice (attached).  After 15 days, FEMA will review public comments and will make a determination on future steps prior to approval of the project.  We are hoping to bid the project later this summer and be moving dirt after harvest.

Rationale:  A SCWIG meeting was held on June 20th at the Columbus NRCS office.  Final revision to the 319 grant were submitted to EPA and we expect an agreement soon.  Students are actively monitoring at Newman grove, Lakeview, and Schuyler.  Several projects approved at the last board meeting are ready to go once 319 funds are available.  We currently have 10 onsite wastewater projects approved and awaiting contractor availability, totaling approximately $70,000.  Bill has 4 more onsite wastewater applications ready for approval, once our 319 agreement is executed, totaling approximately $35,000.  Reservations are being made for the national Soil and Water Conservation Conference in Des Moines, August 6-9.  SCWIG recommended purchasing shirts for conference participants and active volunteer monitoring students.  Bill is having some difficulty reserving NRCS vehicles and foresees it getting worse in the future.  When the NRD replaces our next vehicle we have the option of sending the older vehicle to Bill instead of selling it.
Our next SCWIG meeting is scheduled for August 16th, 10:00-12:00, Columbus NRCS office.

Rationale:  Attached are this month's invoices and progress report:
Invoice994 (1st 3) = $3,552.42
Invoice995 (2nd 7) = $95,571.49

Progress Report highlights: final comments from NRCS for 26AB, 27 received and to be updated in July.  Finalized USACE permitting info for public notice requirements, plan for submittal by end of July.

Rationale:  Attached is the most recent invoice from Olsson for the easement acquisition portion.  
Invoice391: $2,241.43

Work done this past month include title policy research, new landowner outreach as well as coordination with other landowners.
We expect the mitigation acres to be finalized in early July, then Cody Gerdes of Great Plains Appraisal will begin his appraisal process.

Rationale:  On 6/13 Chapman and Elliott met with Andy Nordstrom, Saunders County Roads, Arlon Strahm of Mainelli/Wagner, and County Supervisors Hrdlicka and Zaugg to discuss impacts of Wahoo Creek Sites 77 and 26B.  
Permanent pool elevations at the two sites will cause portions of existing roads to be permanently inundated.  As project sponsors it's our responsibility to work with Saunders county to mitigate these scenarios.  Options discussed were: improving neighboring roads (currently minimum maintenance) or raising portions of existing road and placing properly sized box culverts to handle increased flow.
Moving forward the NRD and the County will need to agree on a plan and cost-sharing to address the impacts.   Currently, Mainelli/Wagner is engineering a box culvert for Site 26 and will have estimates in the near future.  Further H&H needs to be done at site 77.
 

Rationale:  Four planning meetings have occurred in the past two months to prepare the NRCS National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) application for a portion of Wahoo Creek watershed impaired for: E. coli and Atrazine.  This priority area includes four HUC 12 watersheds - Cottonwood Creek, North Folk Wahoo Creek, Dunlop Creek, and Miller Branch (see attached map).  Concurrently, we are planning on NDEE 319 funds to assist with project coordination, outreach, and practices not able to be funded by NRCS - example is onsite wastewater system upgrades.  
NWQI approval will dedicate funds for producers to implement a list of practices to reduce E. coli and Atrazine.  Some practices will have increased payments.  The NWQI plan is due to the State office on July 17th.  From there it will go to National for approval.  Once approved, it will cover FY24-28 with funding available in September 2023 when EQIP applications are due.  Our next planning meeting is scheduled for July 12th.  Staff intend to begin drafting a 319 budget and workplan soon, hoping to have funding this winter.
Discussion and a motion is requested regarding 319 funding and hiring a coordinator.

Rationale:  It was suggested that the NRD organize a site tour for local State, County, and NRD elected officials.

Rationale:  Leahara Payment #4 request for $170.80 attached, will be paid based off of board motion dated 7/12/2021 "To budget $31,000 in FY 2022 and another $31,000 in FY 2023 to assist Leshara with their Drainage Improvement Project."

Rationale:  Keep Fremont beautiful received a grant from NDEE to host a tire collection event.  It is scheduled for Saturday November 11th from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm at Christensen Field.  The NRD is tentatively planning to help if needed.  We were also approached by the Lower Elkhorn and Papio NRDs to gauge our interest in working together to apply for a grant in the next few months for a 2024 collection event.  Historically, they hosted events in Arlington (Papio) and West Point/Scribner (LE).  The locations need to be fenced and available for several weeks after the events.