August 31, 2023 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We received our NeSWCP FY24 state apportionment from DNR, we were allocated $92,179.61.  We have presently approved $43,081.51 in SWCP applications.  Combined with local funding we are 37% allocated.

Rationale:  A Notice of Intent was sent to NEMA for the nationally competitive Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant.  NEMA has provided comments on the grant application and JEO is working to incorporate them into the aplicaiton.

Rationale:  A meeting is planned for September 14, 2023 9:00-10:00 am at Fremont City Council Chambers to discuss projects and narrow down preferred alternatives.

Rationale:  The Dodge County Joint Water Management Advisory Board (JWMAB) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold a public meeting to provide an update on the Rawhide Creek Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Plan and proposed projects. The drop-in meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the UNL Extension in Dodge County, 1206 W. 23^rd Street in Fremont. All are welcome to attend and provide comments or questions to the project team. No formal presentation will be made, and attendees may drop-in anytime.

Rationale:  SCWIG met on 8/15/2023 and discussed the SWCS conference, student monitoring, and ongoing/upcoming projects.  Volunteer monitoring students are planning to present at our November 13th Board meeting located in Newman Grove beginning at 4:30 pm.  Staff are working with partners to finalize a press release highlighting the students' presentation at the SWCS meeting.  SCWIG approved a stipend for Mr. Moomey and adding expiration dates to septic cost-share approvals.  The next SCWIG meeting is scheduled for 9/19/2023.  A Bench Project/Final Bend celebration is also tentatively scheduled for 9/12/2024.

Rationale:  We received certification paperwork from Bill Bos for two approved alternate water source projects:
 

FRED SIEFKEN			$    16,852.94	LIVESTOCK - PUMP, WELL, TANKS,
ARDEN SAALFELD			$    11,593.25	LIVESTOCK - PUMP, WELL, TANKS,

Payments will be reimbursed through our Shell Creek NET grant.  To qualify, participants must meet NRCS Planned Grazing practice standards, as well as, exclude cattle from unlimited access to creek.

Rationale:  We received paperwork for a completed system:
 

Kyle Reed

$7,377.71

We received an application for an upgrade:
 

Jeff Klug

$7,500.00

All on-site wastewater system upgrades qualify for our Shell Creek 319 grant reimbursement.

 

Rationale:  Attached are the monthly Progress Report and invoice.  No invoice for first three sites as they wait for NRCS comments.
The Corps permit application was submitted 7/31 and is awaiting the 30 day public notice period.  The delay is due to a staffing change at the Project Manager level.  The new PM needs to be brought up to speed on the various projects they are now overseeing.  Olsson has discussed the application and plan with the new PM and feels confident that the permit will be issued in the November/December timeframe.
Olsson is in the process of stamping/signing and submitting plans for 26A to DNR for their permit review.  The plan is for a thorough review of a complete set of plans/specs/reports by DNR and then apply any changes/edits to the remainder.  This should expedite this part of the process.

Rationale:  The plan for having Great Plains present their initial appraisals at this month's meeting has been postponed.  With the Corps permit being delayed staff feels that it's best to wait to make any valuations public.  Staff has discussed this with Cody Gerdes, Great Plains, and Danielle Allen, Olssons Real Estate, and feel that it's best for Great Plains to keep moving forward with field appraisals and landowner meetings.  

Rationale:  On 8/29, Elliott, Chapman, and Gottschalk met with Saunders County Supervisors to further discuss the two road impacts within the Project area.  The two roads impacted are Road P (north of site 26B) and Road G (south of site 77) both will be inundated by permanent pools.  The two options are: permanently close the roads, or raise the roads and install box culverts to meet specs of the impoundment and roads.  
With site 26B construction in the near future a plan needs to be in place soon.  Road P is a minimum maintenance road that sees little traffic, but discussions with impacted landowners have both been adamant that they'd like to see the road stay open.  The neighboring north/south road (road 28) has been closed for ~10 years due to scour at the bridge.  
Arlon Strahm, representing Mainelli/Wagner, explained the box culvert/road raise option that had been discussed previously.  There is concern from the Supervisors about investing the resources (both money and long-term O&M) for a minimum maintenance road. 
The NRD proposed options for working with the county for a solution, such as, the NRD could supply materials with the county supplying the labor/engineering.  Any financial input from the NRD would be paid through JEDI funds.

Rationale:  State NRCS submitted the NWQI application to headquarters.  We expect it to be approved soon.
Staff will begin working on a 319 funding request and workplan this fall.

Rationale:  On 8/14 staff from PMNRD, LPSNRD, and LPNNRD met to discuss future projects for the PRCA.  Attached are documents relating to the USACE's Comprehensive Watershed Study program that has had an earmark for the Lower Platte River system since the 2007 Water Resources Development Act.
Additionally, planning for updating the Alliance's 319 plan were completed; the LPN's designated watersheds for the plan are the headwaters of Bone and Skull Creek.    

Rationale:  Keep Fremont Beautiful has received funding from NDEE to hold a scrap tire collection event.  Staff have been in contact with Keep Fremont Beautiful Executive Director Casey Vaughan and have organized several meetings with Casey and representatives of Papio and Lower Elkhorn NRDs as this is her first tire collection event.  They have more than enough funding based on historic Fremont area event quantities, but Papio and Lower Elkhorn are concerned as they have not conducted large scale collections recently.  As such, KFB is requesting staff assistance at the event and funds to cover potential overages.  Please find Casey's request attached along with a flyer for the event.

Rationale:  Attached is a draft of the Long Range Plan to be approved at our next board meeting.

Rationale:  The Village of Colon contacted the NRD (letter attached) and requested funding assistance for a new park to be constructed within the village.  Representatives from Colon will be in attendance.