Monday, November 13, 2023 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:  On Wednesday, November 8th Kyle Overturf notified the office that he is unable to attend the November Board Meeting to present the Annual Audit.  This item will be on the December 11th agenda. 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  We have approved two staff and two directors to attend the GMDA Winter Meeting in Nashville, January 23-25.  Brikel has indicated he is interested in attending. Registration deadline is December 20th.  Please let the staff know if you are interested in attending. 

Rationale:  We have approved two staff and two directors to attend the NACD Annual Meeting in San Diego, February 10-14.  The early Bird Registration deadline is December 22nd.  Please let the staff know if you are interested in attending. 

Rationale:  Kyle Overturf will be presenting the Annual Audit at our November Board Meeting.

Rationale:  Attached is resolution which needs to be approved and signed if our district is considering transferring funds into the Nebraska CLASS accounts.  Discussion and possible action is requested as to signing the resolution and if signed, what funds would be transferred.

Rationale:  Discussion and possible action to amend our current policy on approved director absences for monthly board meetings.  Last month the full board discussed the potential of allowing attendance via Zoom to be considered an excused absense.

Rationale:  Staff and Exec. Committee board members met on Tuesday 10/31 with Marv Larson with JEO to provide updated plans and answer any questions.  Designs are currently at the 60% phase and we are still on our time schedule to go to bids in January if we choose to do so.

Rationale:  Monday, November 13th
4:30 p.m. - Presentation from Shell Creek Group
5:15 p.m. - Dinner
6:00 p.m. - Board Meeting 

We will also need to discuss how we want to handle the potential closed session portion of the meeting to discuss Wahoo Creek land rights values.  Should we do this at the beginning, middle or end of the meeting?  Jovan will be online to assist with our discussion during the closed session.

 

Rationale:  Discussion and possible motion to approve one LPN staff member attending the next Water Leaders Academy.  Attached is the 2023 Academy Fact Sheet. 

Rationale:  Gottschalk Met with METOS/Pessl leadership regarding our ongoing issues with our remote readers and damage to our existing equipment.

Rationale:  Chapman provided an updated list of equipment LPN is applying to FEMA for use of our 428 funds.  All 428 funds are eligible for 90% cost-share.
Items Include - 
Compact Excavator and Attachments
Utility Work Machine and Attachments
Gooseneck Trailer 

Rationale:  We have received the easement for the ingress/egress for construction on the north side of the Wanahoo dam to install the deadened man hole for the City's sewer extension project.  Work is getting close to completion and this is the final portion of the work.

Rationale:  Staff updated the Executive Committee on our ongoing worker's compensation claim.

Rationale:  Our ongoing Work Comp situation brought up the issue of creating a Staff Leave Pool where employees could donate accumulated leave to a pool which other employees could request drawing from.  Ryan reported on the State of Nebraska's program and other NRD's who have such a plan. The Executive Committee directed staff to develop a Staff Leave Pool Policy.

Rationale:  On Wednesday, November 8th Kyle Overturf notified the office that he is unable to attend the November Board Meeting.  This item will be on the December 11th agenda. 

We are anticipating receiving the Draft Annual Audit Report next week.  Kyle Overturf will be available at Board Meeting on November 13th to discuss the Audit Report.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to accept and place on file the 2023 Audit Report as prepared and presented by Almquist, Malzahn, Galloway and Luth.

Rationale:  Grant reviewed the Draft September Financial Statement.  

Rationale:  We have nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale:  Ducks Unlimited has redesigned the wetland renovation area to a depth of 18" in the center of the design, which is approximately 5 acres. The entire area to be worked will be approximately 16 acres. We corresponded with the COE and have found we do not have to obtain a 404 or 408 permit but, must keep them up to date on the construction of this project for their records. We received a Right-of-Way permit from the Saunders County Highway Dept. The project has also been cleared by Game & Parks and Fish & Wildlife Service in regard to Threatened and Endangered Species. We received confirmation to proceed from the State Historic Preservation Office on November 7th. DU can now advertise the plans, specs and bid documents for contractors.

Rationale:  The O & M staff have been cutting & spraying trees. We had a drone spray Phragmites on the upper end of the Wanahoo property. We had John Andel trap beaver at Cottonwood 6-E, he caught two. We also assisted in breaking down beaver dams in the wetland area of Wanahoo.

Rationale:  A public meeting was held on Thursday October 12th from 5:00 to 7:30 at the Malmo Fire Hall. Staff attended along with the engineering firm's personnel. Five interested individuals inquired about the project. A couple of  long time locals gave a lot of historical background to the area. HDR and the other firms will continue to analyze the project.

Rationale:  As previously mentioned in December and February, landowner Jason Scott has 8.5 acres land locked at the Sand/Duck Dam 15. He installed a UTV bridge to cross the creek for access. A motion was made in February to cost-share on a bridge and installation at 50% up to $4,000. Mr. Scott's final cost is $6,537.75 (see attached). Funds can be taken from the Bank Stabilization budget line or another special projects budget line. Mr. Scott did provide all receipts (not attached).

Rationale:  Hexogon Helicopters completed the spraying of Phragmites on the Platte River, its tributaries and many other locations. We believe they did a very good and timely job and communicated very well with the group as they sprayed.

Rationale:  With the camping season coming to a close, we received $10,516.50 from RV camping at Czechland Lake from March to early Nov.

Rationale:  All areas hayed on the Wanahoo property have been completed. We  received $2,938.80 from Dan Kadavy on 24.8 tons. His bid was $118.50/ton.

Rationale:  We received a request for payment from the Timberwood HOA located in Dodge County. The work accomplished was a result of the 2019 flood event and erosion thereafter. The invoice is for $19,590. Our policy after 2019 is to cost-share 50% up to $4,000 for individuals and $6,000 for Diking Districts. This site was inspected by staff.

We received a request for payment from Dennis Medinger for jetty maintenance on the Platte River in Butler County. The invoice is for $5,605. This site was inspected by staff.

Rationale:  For the month of September, the District received $2602.50 in annual park permit revenue. The 2024 annual stickers have been ordered and should be ready for purchase in December. The year by year break down of annual permit sales is listed below. 
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD
September 2023	$2060.00	$72440.00
September 2022	$2602.50	$74370.00
September 2021	$2496.85	$84789.35
September 2020	$2937,50	$95445.00
September 2019	$2015.00	$81627.50

Rationale:  For the month of August, the District received $13,989.38 in camping revenue. The year by year comparison is listed below.
 

Month	Month Total	YTD
September 2023	$13989.38	$111866.44
September 2022	$19008.27	$113053.01
September 2021	$16007.74	$109926.08
September 2020	$15057.66	$120901.01
September 2019	$11151.60	$86577.24

Rationale:  Staff was approached by a Live Well Go Fish (LWGF) Board Member regarding the potential of building an addition to the Lake Wanahoo equipment shed. This would be a 20'x115' lean to located on the west side of the shed. There would be two garage doors, one on either end, as well as a pass through door located inside the current building. LWGF would have the north side of the addition and LPNNRD would use the remaining area (approximately 60-70 feet). They believe that they can get a Union Bank Grant to cover 50% of the cost. Staff is seeking Board direction on this project. 

Rationale:  During the month of October, the building was rented 18 times with 3 NRD events. Total for the month was $1,175.

Rationale:  October’s KTIC radio ad featured the no-till grass drill rental options. November will advertise the tree order availability.

October’s Wahoo Newspaper e-ads will feature the no-till grass drill rental options. November will advertise the tree order availability.
The ads are attached.

Rationale:  The LPNNRD Facebook/Twitter pages, and the website are some of the fastest ways to get information out to the public. Tracking analytics are a way to see how many people are seeing the information. Sometimes a decrease in reach or impressions can mean there is an error with the Facebook/Twitter pages or the website. Facebook and Twitter posts range from 10 - 15 posts per month. 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
October	3,103	137	1,499
September 2023	4,517	215	1,493
August 2023	5,101	550	1,489

 

TWITTER	Total impressions	Engagements	Followers
October	1,148	54	411
September 2023	1,490	69	406
August 2023	3,292	123	405

Top Posts on Facebook and Twitter:
• October Coffee Lakeside flyer
• Dodge County Scrap Tire event flyer
• Tree orders
• Shared article from UNL about fall tree watering
• Environmental Education flyer

 

WEBSITE	Users	Traffic Channel	Top Pages	Devices
October 2023	1,328	Organic -31.36% Direct -0.54% Referral -21.79% Social +245.45%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Staff Downloads	Mobile -33.66% Desktop -8.26% Tablet +3.45%
September 2023	1,726	Organic 75% Direct 20.1% Referral 4.1% Social 0.8%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Outdoor Recreation Staff	Mobile 59.9% Desktop 38.4% Tablet 1.7%
August 2023	2,402	Organic 63.1% Direct 30.3% Referral 4.7% Social 1.9%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Lake Downloads Staff	Mobile 53.28% Desktop 45.59% Tablet 1.13%

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). As of mid-September changes for traffic channels and devices will show increase or decrease for the month.

Top referral clicks from: visitnebraska.com 6, nrdnget.org 23, Wahoo newspaper website (our digital ad) 1
Clicks from Facebook: 33.
Clicks from Twitter: 3.
 

Rationale:  The 30-second commercial for Nebraska Public Media began airing on October 11. The commercial airs on Wednesday nights during science programming. This will continue for a total of 14 weeks (minus two weeks for PBS pledge drives), ending on January 24, 2024. A report will be provided once available. Attached is the commercial.

Rationale: 

• September 29th: Arlington public schools: 43,1st grade students learned about soil. 
• October 10th: Trinity Lutheran Survival 1/2 day. Kids came out to the lake where they learned about knot tying, everyday carry kits, foraging for wild foods, campfire building, and more survival skills. 
• October 3rd-6th: The Ag literacy festival hosted 622 youth from 14 different schools. LPNNRD helped with the water station, talking to kids about ground water and having them make aquifer models. Noah, Will, and myself presented. 
• October 12th-13th: LPNNRD hosted the quarterly I&E Meeting in Wahoo.
• October 18th: St. Wenceslaus Pre-K visit. 28 students learned about spiders by going on a spider hunt, spinning webs, and making a spider craft.  
• October 19th: Coffee Lakeside, 6 people attended to learn about Nebraska's agriculture. 
• October 24th: Aided the Papio NRD with a field trip for 75 3rd graders. 
• October 25th: Wahoo 1st grade first field trip. 86 students came out to Lake Wanahoo to play disc golf, go on a nature walk, play at the exploration station, and read along with our Story Walk book. 
• October 30th: Survival club with Wahoo Middle schoolers. Over 20 students learned about foraging for wild foods. 

Rationale:  November 9th: Coffee Lakeside, Climate Change and its impact on Nebraskans. 
November 14th: Midland University Careers presentation.
November 15th: Wahoo 5th graders, Ecosystems/Food Chains/Food Webs.
November 17th: Wahoo High School Careers Class.
November 20th: Newman Grove Test Your Well Night. 
November 29th: Survival Club, Knot Tying.
November 30th: Presentation at the Senior Citizen Center--Nebraska Agriculture.

TBD: St. Wenceslaus, other classroom visits. 
 

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read, bills mailed 10/31.

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read, bills mailed 10/31.

Rationale:  Ross Janak is requesting to convert some irrigated acres in Section 36-15N-3E on behalf of the Prochaska Family.  This tract of land is located in SQS #1 south of Bruno. (attachments) At the present time, Ross is irrigating the NE1/4 with a pivot and high volume gun.  He will be moving the center point of the pivot and increasing its length.  The new setup would irrigate the same number of acres but would irrigate some dryland acres in the SE1/4.  He would not be using the high-volume gun and giving up acres in the NE1/4. 
The committee and staff felt eliminating the high-volume gun would increase irrigation management efficiency.  

Rationale:  Clint Ratkovec discussed with the Committee transferring irrigated acres within SQS #1.  He has some dryland acres and wants to drill a well and irrigate some dryland acres.  He has located some certified irrigated acres within SQS #1 that a producer is willing to transfer the irrigated rights from.  
Current SQS#1 does not allow new high capacity irrigation wells with new irrigated acres. The committee discussed with Clint the options that needed to be considered and asked staff to obtain irrigated information on land that was being considered for transfer.   

Rationale:  Sylvia Walters applied for a variance this year and scored 371.8, so it was not approved.  Brad Wallin was using his well to irrigate Sylvia Walter's tract.  On May 10, 2021 an expansion of acres with an allocation was granted. The motion was as follows:  "Recommend to approve the allocation expansion variance on the condition that a letter is received from Brad Wallin to allow the use of well G-144086 to irrigate the S½NE¼ Section 15-21N-5W for 13.01 inches over a required 3 year period. "
The 3 year period expired this year but Brad and Sylvia would still like to continue irrigating as the equipment is in place.  They are willing to stay within the allocation of 13.01, in which they used 7.72 inches over the last 3 years.  They are asking, if the Sylvia Walter's variance does get approved in 2024, then expansion of acres with an allocation would expire, otherwise they would continue with the 13.01 acre inch allocation.  

Rationale:  334 kits to producers in 2023.

Rationale:  Requests for proposals were sent out in the first part of October to area flow meter companies, irrigation system dealers, well drillers, and pump installers.  The NRD received one bid from Tri City Meters with the proposal attached.  The proposal came back with the responsibility of the NRD for billing the landowners.  Mark from Tri City Meters's concern is that they do not have any jurisdiction if the bill is not paid, other than small claim courts.  The NRD has the requirement of a working meter in the GW Rules and Regulations.  Mark is willing to bill the landowners but would want the NRD to be the enforcing agency if payment is not received.  

Rationale: 

2023 is the twenty-first year for this Phase 2 Area. 

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 10.01 to 15 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 15 ppm
2004	0 to 25 ppm	46.3% (44 of 95)	8.4% (8 of 95)	45.3% (43 of 95)
2005	0 to 25 ppm	47% (44 of 94)	15% (14 of 94)	38% (36 of 94)
2006	0 to 24 ppm	41% (29 of 71)	14% (10 of 71)	45% (32 of 71)
2007	0 to 31 ppm	48% (48 of 100)	9% (9 of 100)	43% (43 of 100)
2008	0 to 28 ppm	53.75% (43 of 80)	7.5% (6 of 80)	38.75% (31 of 80)
2009	0 to 22 ppm	45.5% (41 of 90)	15.5% (14 of 90)	39% (35 of 90)
2010	0 to 35.7 ppm	48.65% (54 of 111)	11.71% (13 of 111)	39.64% (44 of 111)
2011	0 to 26.6 ppm	51% (56 of 110)	6% (7 of 110)	43% (47 of 110)
2012	0 to 28.9 ppm	57% (61 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	34% (36 of 107)
2013	0 to 25.8 ppm	50% (53 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	14% (44 of 107)	26%
2014	0 to 22.3 ppm	51% (55 of 108)	13% (14 of 108)	18% (39 of 108)	20%
2015	0 to 32.3 ppm	43% (31 of 72)	8% (6 of 72)	14% (35 of 72)	33%
2016	0 to 35.1 ppm	34% (25 of 74)	11% (8 of 74)	26% (41 of 74)	26%
2017	0 to 23.5 ppm	36% (27 of 74)	15% (11 of 74)	19% (36 of 74)	22%
2018	0 to 30.9 ppm	40% (25 of 63)	11% (7 of 63)	22% (31 of 63)	28%
2019	0 to 24.5 ppm	46% (22 of 48)	10% (5 of 48)	28% (21 of 48)	22%
2020	0 to 20.5 ppm	33.33% (20 of 60)	13.33% (8 of 60)	35% (21 of 60)	18.33% (11 of 60)
2021	0.12 to 27.7 ppm	40.6% (26 of 64)	15.6% (10 of 64)	25% (16 of 64)	18.8% (12 of 64)
2022	0.13 to 23.0 ppm	43.75% (28 of 64)	12.50% (8 pf 64)	26.56% (17 of 64)	17.19% (11 of 64)
2023	0 to 19.8 ppm	50.8% (32 of 63)	15.9% (10 of 63)	20.6% (13 of 63)	12.7% (8 of 63)

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.

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 10.01 to 15 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 15 ppm
2004	0 to 47 ppm	30% (42 of 139)	10% (14 of 139)	60% (83 of 139)
2005	0 to 120 ppm	31.3% (74 of 236)	10.2% (24 of 236)	58.5% (138 of 236)
2006	0 to 53 ppm	28% (50 of 181)	14% (26 of 181)	58% (105 of 181)
2007	0 to 99 ppm	32% (75 of 231)	10% (22 of 231)	58% (134 of 227)
2008	0 to 46 ppm	28% (53 of 190)	12% (23 of 190)	60% (114 of 190)
2009	0 to 57 ppm	33% (72 of 216)	6% (13 of 216)	61% (131 of 216)
2010	0 to 57.5 ppm	31% (70 of 229)	7% (15 of 229)	62% (142 of 229)
2011	0 to 65.8 ppm	28% (67 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	63% (153 of 241)
2012	0 to 52.6 ppm	29% (70 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	30% (150 of 241)	31%
2013	0 to 94.0 ppm	25% (63 of 252)	9% (23 of 252)	31% (166 of 252)	36%
2014	0 to 101.0 ppm	27% (68 of 251)	9% (22 of 251)	27% (161 of 251)	37%
2015	0 to 53.3 ppm	23% (55 of 238)	12% (29 of 238)	25% (154 of 238)	41%
2016	0 to 50.5 ppm	25% (58 of 228)	10% (22 of 228)	26% (148 of 228)	40%
2017	0 to 53.4 ppm	25% (60 of 238)	6% (14 of 238)	29% (164 of 238)	41%
2018	0 to 56.9 ppm	26.5% (50 of 189)	6.3% (12 of 189)	25% (127 of 189)	42%
2019	0 to 39.4 ppm	25% (53 of 209)	11% (22 of 209)	23% (134 of 209)	42%
2020	0 to 50.8 ppm	26% (69 of 261)	6% (15 of 261)	26% (66 of 257)	43% (110 of 257)
2021	0 to 43.0 ppm	25.5% (67 of 263)	8.4% (22 of 263)	24.3% (64 o 263)	41.8% (109 of 263)
2022	0 to 58.5 ppm	23.0% (57 of 248)	6.45% (16 of 248)	29.43% (73 of 248)	41.12% (102 of 248)
2023	0 to 46.5 ppm	26% (68 of 263)	6% (17 of 263)	24% (63 of 263)	44% (115 of 263)

All sample results have been sent to producers. 

Rationale:  Attached is a working document to start the discussion of updating the Groundwater Management Plan.  
The staff went through the working document with the Committee. As the plan is being developed, the Committee will continue to provide input. Staff will start the process of developing a RFQ for qualifying firms to assist in developing the plan.  

Rationale:  Staff is working on fall water levels.

Rationale: 

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

1 well has been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month. We are waiting for the paid invoice but that will be sometime in the next week. 

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Luke and Christina Glaser	Hand Dug	1044.30	saunders

 

Rationale:  LRE invoice is attached for $1,982.25 for Hydrological Assessment per contract.  This project is completed with the staff meeting with LRE to review the deliverables.  
Received invoices for Lanny and Gloria Schmid on the following:

• Gravity to Pivot Conversion - $10,000 LPNNRD cost-share.  (N1/2 N1/2 SE1/4 S30--17N-3E,  Colfax County.)
• Gravity to Pivot Conversion-$10,000 LPNNRD cost-share. (NW1/4 SW1/4 29-17-3E, Colfax County.) 
• Soiil Moisture Sensors - $750 LPN cost-share. (N1/2 N1/2 SE1/4 S30--17N-3E,  Colfax County.)
• The total cost-share payment is $20,750 with 60% reimbursed from the WSF grant for $12,450 and LPNNRD share of $8,300.  

Attached is an updated report on cost-share items that have been approved for reimbursement through November 1. 2023.  This is a 60-40 cost-share through a WSF grant.  

This a reminder of how Phase Four could be established.
Rule 1    Phase Four Criteria
When levels of nitrate-nitrogen exceed 15.01 parts per million, or levels of other human induced non-point source contaminants exceed 100% of the MCL or LHAL, a Phase Four area will be declared.  Within the same aquifer; boundary setting for Phase Four Areas will be initiated when: water quality analytical results within a minimum 9 square mile area are at identified trigger levels for a minimum of 2 sampling events.  The area must contain a minimum of 10 registered wells and contaminant trigger levels must be exceeded in over 50% of the wells. When irrigation wells are not available, other wells may be used. Initial investigation by the District will be to determine if the contamination is a result of point-source or non-point source pollution. If non-point source pollution is found to be the reason, more intensive investigation for boundary setting will ensue. If a Wellhead Protection Area should be established due to non-point source pollution, the District may set boundaries that are less than 9 square miles.  After the establishment of a Phase Four Area, if non-point source contamination levels should decline, two consecutive sampling events below the trigger levels are needed before the Area could be placed in Phase Three, Phase Two or Phase One.

Staff presented some nitrate and uranium information to the Committee and showed a couple of options for a Phase 4 area.  They will discuss this item in more detail at the retreat and the next Water Committee.
 

Rationale:  To recap, we had a presentation from John Engel covering the projects currently listed in the plan, discussed a water conservation program proposed by NeDNR, and decided to hold a November ILCA meeting at the Lower Platte South NRD office at 10 a.m. on November 14^th.
Attached is an interlocal agreement to keep the consortium together until December 4, 2024.  There is no cost associated with this agreement, it allows the group to continue communicating on projects and conservation efforts.  

Rationale:  Eric updated the Committee on the conversation with the Pessel Company, which METOs is a subsidiary of.  The CEO agreed that the splice was an inefficient way of installing their equipment.   They will be turning this issue over to their insurance company for compensation.   If the  insurance company denies the claim, they verbally commented that they will assist in correcting the issue. 
Attached is a quote from In-Situ for $1,127 from another data logger that had gone bad from moisture. The cable was also damaged, in which 61 feet from the top of the cable had to be cut and a new end was attached.     

Rationale:  A groundwater retreat is being planned for the water committee and any other board members for Wednesday, November 29 from 2:30 to 5:30 pm. The  Water Committee meeting will start at 6 pm.  

Tentative Agenda Item:

• In the first 30 minutes, there will be an update and review of general groundwater information.  
• Discussion on SQS #2 and management
• Nitrogen Management 
• Crop Insurance and changing practices.  
• Other Issues?

Rationale:  The GMDA water conference will be held in Nashville on January 23-25, 2024

Rationale:  On 10/16 JWMAB members had an update meeting to discuss status of the West Fremont BRIC plan.  Moving forward there are two alternatives proposed which need to be further evaluated; improvements to the Farmland Levee and non-structural improvements.  
Proposed improvements to the Farmland Levee divided into 3 sub-alternatives:

• A. Raise levee elevation to consistent 50 year elevation $1.3 million
• B. 50 year raise + underseepage control and clay cap $6.1 million
• C. Overtopping erosion protection on landside.  $4.7 million

The other alternative to move forward for further analysis is the Non-structural Mitigation; e.g. flood risk assessment, retrofitting existing structures, property acquisition.  

 

Rationale:  On 10/16 JWMAB had our monthly Rawhide WFPO meeting.  The focus of the meeting was finalizing alternative selection, specifically the Fremont Cut-Off road raise and the two detention cells.  
Potential negative impacts of Cut-Off road raise on landowners to the west of the road was discussed after concerns were raised at the public Open House that occurred last month.  JEO needs to ground truth (survey) the LiDAR data that was used to develop the model, but they don't expect any impacts on residential structures.
Planning on the detention cells estimate ~2.5 million cubic yards of spoil that will need to be dealt with; one option will be fill for the Cut-Off road raise, but there will still be a substantial spoil left.
Upcoming milestones: 90% EA Plan development, submit to NRCS National winter 2024.

Rationale:  Bill Bos submitted certification paperwork for a completed septic system upgrade within the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Improvement Plan:
 

Diane Miller

$5,154.24

All septic system upgrade payments are reimbursed through our 319 Water Quality Plan.

Rationale:  Site 82 - NRCS contacted the NRD with concerns related to site 82's projected flood pool impacts; specifically related to the neighboring farmstead's grain bins, and potential DOT impacts with HWY 79.  The plan would require for the bins to be relocated, a berm to be constructed (to T.O.D. elev, ~6-8' above grade) along the easement boundary.
There was also concerns about potential pushback from DOT for permanent water being stored within existing culvert ROW.
NRCS recommends deprioritizing site 82 within the plan but keeping it in the plan for any potential future development. 

Site 77 - NRCS has concerns about the planned principal spillway pipe size on site 77.  The plan called for a 72" concrete pipe, but NRCS only has standard drawings for pipe up to 48".  Continuing on with the planned 72" pipe will present two primary obstacles: NRCS will require more time for review/evaluation, and potential installation challenges with the size of pipe.
Olsson is evaluating the feasibility of downsizing the pipe to accommodate NRCS standard drawings.  Issues that need to be evaluated with changing the pipe size will be: higher T.O.D. = more acres to acquire and more impacts to neighboring farmsteads and increased road impacts.
 

Rationale:  Attached are the monthly Progress Report and Invoice; 

Rationale:  Danielle Allen and Cody Gerdes will be available to discuss the plan for the immediate future of appraising and easement acquisition for Wahoo Creek and impacts to site 82.

Olsson real estate acquisitions invoice attached for $1,619.88
Great Plains Appraisal, Inc. appraisal invoice attached for $52,300.00
Both are 100% covered by NeDNR JEDI funds.

 

Rationale:  Reimbursement requests were sent to NRCS for $213,004.46 and NeDNR  for $70,171.27 on October 23rd.

Rationale:  With the expected NWP to be issued for sites 26AB, and 27 and to avoid potential setbacks with Endangered/Migratory Species (bats and birds) it is advisable to get prep work (tree clearing) completed before 4/1/24.  Olsson has delineated areas needed for tree removal that needs to be done prior to dam construction.  

Rationale:  Reminder about the upcoming Scrap Tier Collection Event:
Saturday, November 11th
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Christensen Field
1730 W 16th Street
Dodge County Residents Only
NO: dealers, resellers, or businesses that charge a tire disposal fee.
Tires Accepted:  car, truck, semi-truck, & tractor
NO rims
Limit of 100 tires per vehicle
Limited assistance - Plan to unload your own

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.