July 10, 2023 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:  Each year we schedule a short Personnel Sub-committee to review GM evaluations and discuss any current personnel issues.  The Personnel Sub-Committee will meet July 10th at 5 p.m.

Rationale:  An update and progress report will be given on the Wahoo Creek Project. 

Rationale:  Marv with JEO will be here to review office design and construction cost estimates.

Rationale:  We need to make payment to NRC totaling $27,790.02.  This amount represents our 60% reimbursement for dirt and hay sales from January 2021 through April 2023.  The breakdown is as follows:
$10,629.45 for our 60% of dirt sales and $17,160.57 for our 60% of hay sales.
 

Rationale:  Attached find Frank Pollard's resignation letter from Sub-District 2 effective July 14h. 

The Board will need to declare a vacancy in Sub-District 2 and the Chairman will need to appoint a search committee to find a replacement for Frank Pollard.

Rationale:  Water Dept. and Projects have discussed the purchase of a used backhoe to be utilized for well decommissioning and by our O&M department.  With the purchase of the new Bobcat we have the potential of selling our existing Bobcat and using the proceeds to purchase the backhoe.  Discussion is requested on moving forward with this purchase.

Rationale:  This past year, Lacey has assumed LPN's drone responsibilities and she has been certified as a commercial drone pilot.  It has always been my management rule, with increased responsibilities there should be increased compensation.  I am recommending to increase our Information Coordinator's annual salary $2,000 per year to compensate for the additional responsibilites.

Rationale:  After advertising for 3 weeks, we received one application for our open O&M technician position.  After interviewing the individual, it was clearly apparent he was over qualified for the position we have available.  The Executive Committee suggested re-advertising for the position. 

Rationale:  Tyler Benal informed us he will be leaving Lower Platte North for a Water Department position with Lower Platte South NRD.  Tyler's last day with LPN will be Thursday July 13th.  Tyler has been with our district since his intern days and has done an amazing job for our district.

My recommendation is to promote Noah Franzen from Water Resource Technician to Water Resource Specialist and have him assume all of Tyler's position responsibilities at a pay scale of $50,000/year.  This salary rate will place Noah within the accepted salary range of our district. 
I would also recommend to hold off on replacing Noah's old Water Technician position until a later date.

Rationale:  Projects committee has been discussing the potential of hiring a Wahoo Creek Coordinator to assist in our efforts within the watershed.  Ryan  updated the committee on what was discussed in the Projects committee.

Rationale:  Grant will be available to review the May Financial Statements.

Rationale:  Attached find an agreement (Engagement Letter) from HBE for accounting and advisory services for two Fiscal Years - July 1, 2023 thru June 30, 2024  at a monthly fee of $7,325 and July 1, 2024 thru June 30, 2025 for a monthly fee of $7,700.  

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting authorizing Manager Gottschalk to sign the Engagement Letter and supporting Appendices as attached. 

Rationale:  If we plan to hold a budget workshop we need to set the date and time. We normally hold it before the August Board Meeting. The Executive Committee suggested the week of August 7th. 

Rationale:  To hold the Budget Hearing Monday, August 14 at 5:00 p.m. and Levy Hearing Monday, September 11th at 5:00 p.m., which is one hour prior to the scheduled Board Meetings.  

Rationale:  We have nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale:  We have not heard from Ducks Unlimited regarding the wetland restoration project on the Wanahoo property. We did not get the area burned either.

Rationale:  O & M staff have been inspecting and doing maintenance on our watershed dams and Clear Creek levee.
 

Rationale:  On Thursday, June 22, the NRCS staff made a site visit to 21-A. NRD staff pointed out areas of concern and answered questions. Saunders County and a couple of landowners were invited but didn't make it. A Township representive was present.
HDR said they would have a contract/agreement prepared by June 30.

Rationale:  Staff has inquired Butler Public Power and G & R Electric about upgrading the electrical system at Czechland Lake by providing 30/50 amp service to 4-7 camper pads. Currently, we have four pads with 50 amp service and seven with 30 amp service. Butler Public Power may provide additional service at no charge depending on what may be needed.
G & R Electric has given a quote of  $1,150 (attached) to add 50 amp service to the 4 pads on the east loop. These pads would then have the option of a 30 or 50 amp service. This would take our electrical service to the limit for our 11 electrical pads.
Heimann will meet with Butler Public Power to see about additional power if we want to provide electricity to the three non-electrical pads.

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

Rationale:  All materials have been ordered and delivered. Greater Omaha SCUBA will be at the park in mid-July to help with the installation of the anchor cables. Staff has has pledged a donation to their organization upon completion, but no number has been set. Discussion is needed for an appropriate donation for the service.

Rationale:  Staff has received an initial estimate for a potential marina system for the Lake Wanahoo Campground. Commercial Recreation Specialists estimate the cost of the materials to build a 14 slip marina at $79,952.06.

The slips would be rented either as a point of sale item on Reserve America, or at the Guard Shack if slips are available. This idea came from our Friends of Lake Wanahoo group.

Rationale:  The family who has offered a house to the District, located near Lake Wanahoo, have begun the planning stages for their property and is wondering what interest the District has in acquiring the house. The structure would be donated but the District would have to pay to move the house, pour a foundation, and run utilities.  

Rationale:  For the month of May, the District received $17,235.00 in annual park permit revenue. The year by year break down of annual permit sales is listed below. 
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD
May 2023	$17235.00	$51245.00
May 2022	$14877.50	$52110.00
May 2021	$14032.50	$62595.00
May 2020	$29177.50	$67110.00
April 2019	$15597.50	$55095.00

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education building was rented 16 times with 3 NRD events during June. Revenue for the month was $1,435.

Rationale:  June’s KTIC radio ad featured the three recreation areas. This will continue through July.

June’s Wahoo Newspaper e-ad featured a reminder to conserve water. This will continue through July.

Rationale:  The LPNNRD Facebook/Twitter pages, and the website are the fastest and low-cost ways to get information out to the public. Tracking analytics are a way to see if people are seeing the information and what ways seem to be most effective. If you are on Facebook or Twitter, please like, follow, share, or retweet the Lower Platte North NRD posts!

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

FACEBOOK	Total Reach	Engagements	Followers
June 2023	7,626	1,252	1,474
May 2023	4,103	184	1,465
April 2023	6,135	399	1,458
March 2023	5,403	5,791	1,450

 

TWITTER	Total impressions	Engagements	Followers
June 2023	1,111	56	400
May 2023	638	10	400
April 2023	1,140	56	400
March 2023	1,906	94	399

Top Posts on Facebook and Twitter:
• Big fish caught at Wanahoo/NRD Recreation Exploration
• June’s Coffee Lakeside event flyer
• Natural Resources Camp flyer
• 4R’s event at ENREC/nitrogen certification
• Pollinator week post

 

WEBSITE	Users	Traffic Channel	Top Pages	Devices
June 1-26, 2023	2523	Organic 72.7% Direct 20.8% Referral 5.4% Social 1%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Outdoor Recreation Downloads	Mobile 65.2% Desktop 33.1% Tablet 1.7%
May 2023	2,755	Organic 75.1% Direct 17.4% Referral 6.6% Social 1%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Outdoor Recreation Downloads	Mobile 65.42% Desktop 32.8% Tablet 1.78%
April 2023	1,517	Organic 68.8% Direct 18.4% Referral 10.9% Social 1.9%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Downloads Outdoor Recreation	Mobile 58.40% Desktop 40.34% Tablet 1.25%
March 2023	1,662	Organic 64.6% Direct 21.9% Referral 10.7% Social 2.7%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Downloads Forestry	Mobile 49.34% Desktop 47.71% Tablet 2.95%

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: 24 from Facebook, 0 from Twitter.
Referral clicks: 4 from Visit Nebraska, 4 from the ad on Wahoo Newspaper’s site, 1 from NARD.
 

Rationale:  Dodge County Fair in Scribner has multiple sponsorship levels for this year's fair. Sabatka is requesting to support the fair at the Showmanship Level with a donation of $250. With the sponsorship, LPNNRD will be announced during events and the logo will be on donation boards at the fairgrounds and on the fair website.

Rationale:  The Summer issue of the Viaduct is in the process of printing and shipping. This will be mailed the first week in July and start going into newspapers the week of July 19.

Rationale: 

• June 6th & 7th: Kids summer institute: Dip Netting for Macroinvertebrates. 24 kids attended.
• June 8th: Kids summer institute: Birding and bird beak adaptations; 19 kids attended.
• June 9th: Kids summer institute: Disc Golf. 23 kids attended.
• June 12th: Kids summer institute: Nature Journaling and Phenology. 12 kids attended.
• June 14th: Schuyler FFA know your well, meeting and training. 
• June 15th: Fremont State Lakes natural resources afternoon. Daryl held a station with a large aquifer model and I held a birding and bird beak adaptation station. 60 kids attended.
• June 16th: Kids summer institute: Wild and about Wildflowers. 13 kids attended. 
• June 19th-23rd: NRD Natural Resources camp. 8 boys attended the week-long camp. We caught snakes, dissected owl pellets, used dip nets to catch macro invertebrates, went birding, went on a fungi foray, and more. 
• June 19th: Reading time program at Yutan Library; 14 kids attended.
• June 23rd: Nocturnal Night, Lake Wanahoo. Approximately 20 people attended. 
• June 30th: North Bend Library reading time program, nocturnal animals. 

Rationale:  July 7th: Coffee Lakeside, flyer attached.
July 11th-12th: I&E meeting.
July 17th: Starry Night at the Lake event.
July 19th: Wildflowers and Wine Night. Flyer attached.
July 21st: Mothing Bioblitz event. Flyer attached. 
July 27th: Mead Public Library, story time hour. 

Rationale:  The RWD has been working with Neil Johnson of Phoenix Web Group (PWG) to get remote reading capabilities back online.  Connections were checked at office, Wanahoo, and Colon elevator, and David City elevator.  PWG also provided a hand-held remote reader.
Elliott met with Ryan Hurst, Wahoo Utilities, to discuss the potential for a co-op agreement which would include meter reading and billing.  The estimated cost to the RWD would be around $500/month.
 

Rationale:  The RWD was contacted by two separate landowners about new hookups; one is located in the Rolling Hills subdivision, but there are no existing utility easements along neighboring property to allow for installation.  The other resident is a new build in Colon which is expected to be completed this fall.  They have yet to pay the $3000 hook up fee.

RWD responded to four locate requests the past month.  
We will be conducting our tri-annual lead and copper testing this next month.
Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read, bills will go out 6/30.

Rationale:  RWD was contacted by Larry Polivka, representative for Bruno, about an issue with the water tower communication with meter pit we operate.  The tower wasn't filling when the signal was sent, so we had to manually override the valve in the pit.  Elliott will meet with a technician from Atlas Automation on 6/29 to evaluate.
Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read, bills to be mailed 6/30

Rationale:  An update on allocations and how they are calculated.
From GW Rules and Regulations 6/15/2018
Rule 4.2    Allocation
The use of Groundwater for agricultural purposes from any water well for irrigation or for the benefit of any Irrigated Acre in the Special Quantity Subarea shall be subject to an Allocation. Allocations shall be based upon a 3 year Rolling Allocation. The Board shall establish the initial annual allocation when establishing the Quantity Subarea. The Board shall thereafter establish the Rolling Allocation by December 15 of each calendar year. The Rolling Allocation shall specify the total number of acre-inches of irrigation water per irrigated acre for the rolling term. If the Board fails to adopt a Rolling Allocation by December 15, the Rolling Allocation for the following rolling three year term shall be 27 acre-inches per irrigated acre in this Special Quantity Subarea (the equivalent of 9 acre-inches per year of the rolling term). Rolling Allocations for any and all wells may be amended, reduced, increased, or made subject to limitations or conditions by the Board upon notice and hearing.

Example attached.

Five producers from the SQS #2 area expressed their concern about the 27 inch rolling allocation.  They felt the extra irrigation that was needed this year during May and June would curtail the amount of water needed to finish this year's crop if they are limited on water allocation. 

Committee and staff discuss the options on the allocation or penalty clause.  The committee felt changing boundaries and future allocations should be discussed this fall.  The committee asked staff to discuss the options with Jovan. 

A resolution was drafted.    

Rationale: 

Wells Permits Approved: #

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea
Norman Heldt	1	0	Replacement	Saunders	Wann
The Nelson Blimp Co LLC	1	0	Replacement	Saunders	Wann
Audra Jedlicka	1	0	Replacement	Colfax	Schuyler
BEG LLC	1	0	Replacement	Saunders	Yutan South
Sunny Lea Farms Partnership	1	0	Replacement	Butler	David City
Ernest, Leo, & Francis Osantowski	1	0	Replacement	Butler	Bellwood

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total number of approved permits for 2023 is 24

Location of Approved Well Permits for 2023:  Correct as of 6/28/2023

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler	0	5	0	0	0	0	5
Colfax	1	4	0	0	0	0	5
Dodge	1	0	0	0	0	0	1
Boone	2	1	0	0	0	0	3
Madison	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Platte	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Saunders	4	6	0	0	0	0	10
Total	8	16	0	0	0	0	24

 

Rationale:  The staff received 3 complaints and contacted the individuals.  

Rationale:  Samples kits are being sent in by producers with only 1 sample result being received.    

Rationale:  The technical group met on a Zoom call to discuss the database that was designed by HDR.  The group discussed the issues and errors received when data was uploaded.  
A brief discussion was held about adding new acres for the upcoming year.  Lower Loup is planning on not giving out acres with Lower Elkhorn and Upper Loup Boards having discussions.  

Rationale: 

For 2023, we have 642 renewals and 41 new permit applications for a current total of 683.  Inspections for 114 renewals and 31 new permits have been completed.

Rationale:  The staff has started sampling irrigation wells for nitrates and a few for pesticides.  The areas that the LPNNRD is concentrating on this year are State-wide network wells, Schuyler-Richland Phase Area and Shell Creek.    
At last month's Committee and Board meeting, staff informed the members that three communities, Lindsay, Newman Grove and Platte Center, had initially applied for a Source Water Protection Grant.  At the June Board Meeting, staff informed the Board that Lindsay had withdrawn their application.  The question was asked, as this area is showing increases in nitrate levels, what could be done to address the nitrate issue.  Part of the Source Water Protection grant was going to assess nitrate and vulnerability for each community.  The map attached shows the area that would be assessed for Platte Center and Newman Grove if the grants are approved.  In 2019, LPN received a grant to do nitrate assessment and develop a nitrate tool to consider best management practices in the current Nitrogen Management Areas.  If the grants are approved, the LRE firm proposes to fill in the gap for nitrate assessment and expand the nitrate tool through Shell Creek if the NRD is willing to complete the project for $25,000.  This tool would allow LPN staff to start education with producers throughout Shell Creek on the nitrate issue and what practices to consider.  This amount is shown as a budget item on next year's budget.  

Rationale: 

# of wells that have been applied for in the 2022 fiscal year. This is the list of applicants that have applied for cost-share assistance and are waiting for a well driller to decommission the well or a bill to pay for the work that has been completed.  A copy of the paid invoice is needed before reimbursement can occur.

 

Rationale: 

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

There haven't been any invoices submitted to LPNNRD in the last month for reimbursement.

# of applicants/wells that have been reimbursed for decommissioning during the 2022 Fiscal Year: 10 
Total amount reimbursed during the 2022 Fiscal Year: $11,604.58
 

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County

 

Rationale:  Invoice for Flow Meter Costshare by Gary Baumert for G-004227 in Section 17-17N-4E, Colfax County.  This application was approved for $1,000 through the WSF grant, with the grant paying 60%.  
An invoice from LRE for $7,266.75 for Hydrological Assessment per contract is attached.  
Discussion on reporting dates to utilize the benefit of calculating nitrogen recommendations for producers prior to fertilizing.  At the present time, the rules say December 15, when producers just enter their numbers after the crop season.  To allow a more streamlined report, some changes would have to be made to the online reporting to allow a two-step process.  Changes to this online reporting site:

• Modification of the report submission to allow users to submit annual reporting in two parts and NRD approval.
• Allow the reporting year field to pull data into the current report
• Estimated water use from previous year's data
• Ability for producers to print a PDF.

Some updates would occur on the NRD production side also.  
A quote from Phoenix Webgroup is attached  for $17,270 to start the process.  Staff discussed the quote and the reason for updating the database to prepare for the functionality of the 2-part report.  

Rationale:  NRD staff have been working with UNL on setting up numerous sites for irrigation, nitrate and manure management.   Attached are pictures showing a zone map and the application of nitrogen on a manure field. The Board agreed to fund 2 applicator pumps for in-season fertilization.  Staff and UNL have set up a site with Lanny Schmid and Joe Birkel with an invoice attached for 1 pump.  The manure site is being funded by UNL by showing different rates of nitrogen with a manure base rate.  
A proposal is attached from Bruno - Platte County Extension person for coring fields for nitrate leaching.  He is working with Lower Loup and wants to add some fields in LPN District.  Bruno was present at the Committee meeting to explain the process.  He is planning on pursuing extra funding from Corn and Soybean Boards.  
A field with irrometer sensors and remote reads is a project within SQS 2 to assist in irrigation management.  An Invoice is attached from Klein sales on the equipment cost.  This is part of the LPN soil moisture program for sensors.,  

Rationale:  A meeting was held on June 8 to discuss current drought conditions.  Attached is a presentation from the Drought Center.  The plan is going on its 5-year review, so ideas were given by DNR on what updates might be considered.  (attached)

Rationale:  Staff continues to discuss options with the METOs and In-Situ companies on the issues of equipment failures.   
Attached is the invoice sent to METOs on what LPN staff feels was damaged because of the installation process.   
Additional attachments show the process and cost of repairing the dataloggers. 
Invoice Q-108476 from In-situ for $3,253 is the current invoice to replace 3 dataloggers that were not repairable.  
Staff went through the process of In-situ review and analysis of a datalogger and cable that can be repaired and the costs associated.  Discussion by staff and committee on the pros and cons of fixing what there is or just moving on to the In-situ company with their remotes, which the datalogger are from the In-situ company.  There is no guarantee that water is not already in the cable on the existing equipment, but going with In-situ will eliminate the need for repairing the cables with a male stripped and tinned 10-foot cable.  The METOs company has indicated that they are not going to assist in repairing the spliced cables.  The cost for the cable replacement plus other equipment is $35,559 at the present time.  To replace the METOs remote reading equipment with In-situ equipment would be about $70,000.  Utilizing In-situ would help with communication issues between 2 different companies.  The committee discussed cutting the NRD losses now as the METOs equipment will need to be replaced in the future as they wear out.  Some of the METOs equipment is going on 4 years with a normal lifespan of 7 years.    

The staff have received a quote from In-Situ Company for equipment, replacing 15 old dataloggers and allowing the NRD to keep the current 6 weather stations for $91,901.45.  Subscription cost is included in the quote. 

Recommend paying the invoice to In-Situ for $3,253 to replace three unrepairable data loggers.  

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). 

There will be 3 beaches on "Health Alert" this week. When a lake exceeds 8 ppb of microcystin it will be placed on "Health Alert".
 

Current Lakes on "Health Alert"
Lake	County	Microcystin (ppb)	Sample Date
Willow Creek Reservoir	Pierce	11.34	06/20/2023
Pawnee Lake	Lancaster	9.77	06/19/2023
Kirkman’s Cove Lake	Richardson	9.59	06/20/2023

A lake that is placed on "Health Alert" will remain under "Health Alert" status until it has tested below 8 ppb. 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. 
We have 1 beach with E.coli testing above 235 colonies/100 ml.

Lakes with High E.coli Bacteria
Lake	E.coli (mpn)	Sample Date
Fremont Lake No. 15 (SRA)	1120	06/19/2023

E. coli bacteria 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, we want people to be aware of beach conditions and use their own judgment as to whether they use a listed water body.

This week, Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County, Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County, and Kirkman’s Cove Lake in Richardson County will be placed on Health Alert. However, Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County has been removed from Health Alert this week. While under Health Alert we recommend avoiding activities that would bring you into extended contact with the water: swimming, skiing, etc.

Have a great 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
http://dee.ne.gov | Twitter | Facebook
 

Rationale:  The groundwater portion of the budget was distributed.

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.

Rationale:  Chris Poole's IT Contract ended June 30th. Gottschalk and ten Bensel would like to retain Chris Poole for questions that are continuing to come up as Drew familiarizes himself with the NRD network and servers. 

A board motion is needed to extend Chris Poole's IT contract.  

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.