November 29, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting
| Agenda | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2. REGULATORY
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.1. Variance Request in the Hydrologically Connected Area (Limited Development Area)
Rationale:
Ralph Papa applied for variance LPN-V-023-0614 for 17 acres in NE1/4 S9-T16-R3E, Butler County. The variance ranking score was 307.7, so it was not approved in 2023. This tract of land is a gravity field where Papa's has installed a pivot and would like to swing the pivot around completely. Attached is a map showing the pivot acres and adding the extra acres. They are willing to give up 11.5 acres in the NE of the NE but would be adding 12.62 acres of irrigated grass. This would make the field more efficient by converting gravity to sprinkler irrigation.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend for approval of allowing the irrigation of the 12.62 dryland acres by converting 11.5 irrigated acres from NE NE S9-T16-R3E, Butler County to dryland for more efficient irrigation management. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.2. Well Permit Program
Rationale:
Staff will now be using two different applications for new well permits. One application will cover new irrigation wells, livestock wells, and domestic wells irrigating one acre or larger. The second permit will cover industrial wells, recovery or remediation wells, dewatering wells, public water supply wells, and other wells. This will save on paper and filing room, as well as simplify the process for applicants.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.2.a. Well Permit Request
Rationale:
Steve Chelberg, representing Smokie L. Lake near Linwood, is requesting a well permit to fill up the lake. Attached are comments from Steve.
Steve said this lake was 27 acres and involves 22 - 23 houses. He explained to the Committee that the well would be pumped from April to August when needed, to keep water in the lake. Staff showed the Committee and Steve the AEM flights, showing that there is not much of an aquifer and high capacity wells are only 30–40 feet deep in the area. The concern, as this lake is groundwater depended, that pumping would just re-circulate the water and not increase the amount of water in the lake. Steve asked about drilling deeper, and it was suggested to do a test hole to see if this was a viable water source. A test hole does not require a permit, so no action was taken.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.3. Special Quantity Subareas
Rationale:
As of 12/8/2023 we have received meter readings from 146 of the approximately 300 SQS1 and SQS2 wells. The average usage for 2023 is 4.77". The highest usage is 15.88 and 7 wells reported with less than 1" applied.
Shown below are the rules for SQS#2. If the Committee is interested in making changes, the December 15 deadline is in Rule 4.2. The staff and committee discussed boundary changes and allocations. The Committee reviewed maps with information obtained in the last 5 years and found that drawing new boundary lines can be difficult. The Committee discussed allocations of 36 inches over 4 years or increasing the allocation to 30 inches over 3 years. By Rule 4.3, the Committee felt that the change from 3 to 4 years would be a rules change, but changing the allocation amount could be an option for the upcoming year. The allocation would need to be addressed yearly or, as the Groundwater Management Plan is being updated, make a rule change. The Committee felt that a 30-inch/3-year rolling allocation was a reasonable option. A meeting with the producers in the area, showing the data, is also planned for the first part of next year. Rule 4 Colfax/Platte County Special Quantity Subarea Rule 4.1 Standard Controls The Standard Controls described in Rule 2 shall apply in the Colfax/Platte County Special Quantity Subarea described in Rule 5.2. District approved Flow Meters required under Rule 2.5 shall be properly installed according to manufacturer’s recommendation by May 1, 2016. No Landowner shall operate an irrigation well after May 1, 2016 unless it is in compliance with this requirement. 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. Rule 4.3 Timing and/or Rotation of Water Use The timing of water use or applications shall be controlled by the District to restrict pumping during certain times of the day or to establish a rotation so high capacity wells are not all pumping at the same time. The Board may establish timing or rotation restrictions when establishing the Quantity Subarea and shall establish new timing or rotation restrictions by December 15 of each calendar year. Timing or rotation restrictions for any and all wells may be amended, reduced, increased, or made subject to limitations or conditions by the Board upon notice and hearing.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend establishing a 30-inch/3-year rolling allocation starting December 15, 2023 with yearly reviews. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.3.a. John Schure Irrigation Expansion
Rationale:
John Schure, on behalf of Tudy's Farm LLC, has applied to increase the irrigated acres on well G-045714 in the SW 1/4 of 7-19-1W, Platte County, SQS #2. The well currently irrigates 140 acres. Mr. Schure would like to add a corner system to the pivot to pick up an additional 10 acres. The increase of acres would lower the 27" three year rolling allocation to 25.2".
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend approving the additional 10 acres for John Schure on the SW1/4 S9-19N-R1W, Platte County with a reduction of allocation from the 27 inch three year rolling allocation to 25.2 inches. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.4. Cost Share Programs
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.5. Bellwood Phase 2 Area
Rationale:
2023 is the twenty-first year for this Phase 2 Area.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.A.6. Richland - Schuyler Phase 3 Area
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.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.B. GROUND WATER ENERGY LEVELS
Rationale:
Fall GWEL Graphs are attached for the 4 aquifer regions within LPN. The fall readings show declines in the majority of the wells compared to the fall of 2022.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.C. GROUND WATER QUALITY SAMPLING
Rationale:
Attached are maps showing district wide sampling for 2023. Staff have been sampling the Shell Creek area for the last 3 years. The averages of the sampled wells in the Shell Creek area have been 8.48 - 2021, 7.39 - 2022, and 8.13 - 2023.
This data will be evaluated in future Committee meetings.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2.D. WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AREA
Rationale:
Attached is information to consider for developing a Phase 4 area within an existing Phase 3 area.
The Committee would like some opinions on the different options before moving forward. Staff will be gathering more information for the board meeting. 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.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3. GROUND WATER PROGRAMS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A. DECOMMISSIONED WELL PROGRAM
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A.1. Well Estimates
Rationale:
1 new well has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.A.2. Plugged Wells
Rationale:
# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B. LOWER PLATTE NORTH NRD GROUND WATER STUDIES
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B.1. Phase Area Update
Rationale:
LRE invoice is attached for $5,580.38 along with a budget tracker spreadsheet. This project came in at $6,525.59 under budget.
The NRCS has received additional funding for approving best management practices. The NRD has received 3 additional gravity to pivot conversion because of NRCS funding, with other producers considering this practice. The plan was to allow 5 of these projects, while other best management practices have not received any applications. Staff would like to move an additional $50,000 to this practice from other practices. Received invoice for 3 water flow meters for Dan Stavenson with a cost-share of $1,000 per meter for a total of $3,000. Received invoice for 1 water flow meter for Ken Stevenson with a cost share of $1,000. Attached is the cost-share form for water flow meters. The form has an installation date of December 31, 2023. Staff recommends changing the date to April 1, 2024, to allow more promotion to producers.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend re-distributing an additional $50,000 from converting gravity to Pivot/SDI irrigation from other best management cost share items in the Schuyler-Richland Nitrate Management Area. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Recommend paying cost-share invoices of 3 meters to Dan Stevenson for $3,000; 1 meter invoice to Ken Stevenson for $1,000. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #3:
Recommend moving the cost-share deadline for $1,000 on flow meter installation from December 31, 2023 to April 1, 2024. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.B.2. Lower Platte River Consortium
Rationale:
Below are the notes from the last meeting.
Thank you to everyone who attended the November 14th meeting at Lower Platte South. To recap, we approved the prior ILCA meeting minutes, signed the 1-year addendum to the Interlocal cooperative agreement, voted to approve a support letter for the East Fremont/Elkhorn Township Project. During the meeting we discussed mitigation/projects including WaterSense, decertification, multi-purpose flood control and storage options. We also considered drought trigger levels and focus areas for press releases. Action items include: Evaluating potential grants, projects, and programs that could be included in the 5 year plan update. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3.C. NEW MONITORING WELLS EQUIPMENT
Rationale:
Updates were given on the In-Situ equipment. The plan is to take the equipment that needs repairing to In-Situ plant the week of December 11. Staff have been pulling cables and data loggers out of monitoring wells.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
4. Groundwater Management Plan
Rationale:
Attached is a RFQ for approval. The plan is to start advertising to meet the 3-week requirement for advertising.
The staff and committee reviewed the plan, with Joe and Bob willing to be part of the interview process.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend moving the Groundwater Management Plan RFQ forward for proposals due on December 27 at 10 am. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5. SURFACE WATER PROGRAMS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6. Committee Date and Time
Rationale:
The December Water Committee will be on Wednesday, December 27 at 6 pm.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted an open house at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Country Club in Yutan on December 6 from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. They gave an update on the cleanup efforts of the former ordinance plant at Mead. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
7. OTHER
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
7.A. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
|
