February 1, 2024 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  One project NRCS certified for SWCP reimbursement:
 

23-S-4

MARK KASPAR

$                     10,996.77

TOT/WASCB TO

Rationale:  A JWMAB meeting occurred on January 18th at 10:00 am at Fremont Council Chambers.  The agenda, project summary including financial, and a copy of the presentation is attached.
Also, from Tom Smith, Dodge County Emergency Manager

Afternoon, at last week’s Joint Water Management Advisory Board meeting, I mentioned the National Weather Service webpage for ice jam risk.  The page contains multiple tabs including risk indicator, river levels, snowpack, temperature outlook, and river cameras.  It is very convenient to have all this information in one location.
This page is updated at least weekly, Wednesdays, this time of year;
https://www.weather.gov/oax/icejamrisk
This is public information.  Please feel free to share.

We will push out some social media posts regarding this.

Rationale:  JEO recently submitted 90% draft documents to NRCS.  NRD staff have not had a chance to review them yet.  A meeting with NRCS is set for February 8th to provide comments to the documents.
JEO is proposing to survey four properties on the west side of the Cutoff Ditch with concerns of negative consequences if the road raise happens.  There is a map attached showing these properties.  JEO did not proposed to survey any other properties (properties to the North) because they are not showing an adverse impact when looking at flood inundation elevations upstream of Cutoff Ditch.  Meaning post project, they do not show a rise in water elevations from existing.  We are working with Dodge County as this effort may take additional funds if we wish to do it at this time and we have been asked to contact the four homeowners for permission to survey.  Typically elevations and refinement like this is conducted during the Design and Permitting phase.  Committee direction is requested.

Rationale:  On 1/23 SCWIG met at Columbus FO, agenda attached.  Discussion held over:

• Project status
  • Shell Creek south bench
  • OWT 
  • Bos projects
  • Wolfe Jetty
• September Shell Creek Project showcase
• Outreach: mailings/brochures

Rationale: 

Kenneth Nelson	OWT Upgrade			60/40	$7,500.00
Rick Loseke	OWT Upgrade			60/40	$7,500.00
Dean Sander	OWT Upgrade			60/40	$7,500.00

Rationale:  NRCS is planning to be at the LPNNRD office at 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 27th for the Skull & Bone PIFR kickoff meeting.  They suggested inviting interested partners.

Rationale:  Attached are this month's progress report and invoice 484643: $23,004.23.  

Rationale:  Danielle Allen will be available to update committee on easement acquisition status.
We are still awaiting USACE approval of language within our form of easement for mitigation areas.
We need to define precedence for future negotiations that have impacted cost-share work, eg terrace/tile outlet systems.
The likelihood of earthwork/construction activity to begin during growing season is less likely now, do we "allow" farming within easement areas this (2024) year?
Olsson invoice attached for $9,232.53

Rationale:  Staff are working on updating the NDEE 319 Watershed Management Plan and a Project Implementation Plan (work plan) for funding.  Meetings are also ongoing with NRCS to better define NWQI assistance needed from the NRD and funding to request from 319.

Rationale:  Matt Moser will be present to discuss a potential trend analysis for Platte River water quality.  Attachement is from November LPRCA meeting.

Rationale:  It appears that Dan Melanson will be leading the project.  Here is a recent email from Dan along with 11/11/2023 meeting minutes attached.  We will keep the committee updated regarding upcoming meetings and progress.

Another meeting date/time is in the works to continue our initiative to secure resources and funding to rebuild the Morse Bluff levee.  From this last meeting and previous, many ideas have surfaced in order to accomplish this, and the team agrees more focused and active engagement is necessary.

With the recent activity around the rescheduled January meeting, I’ve included Ryan Sabatka and Senator Bruce Bostelman in this email communication for awareness.  Also, as we solidify participants for the next meeting and follow-up action items, we can formalize communication distribution lists for the primary team as well as community updates.   

We appreciate everyone’s time and support as we continue forward.