February 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  The following item was referred back to Water Committee from the Board meeting on February 12, 2024 for further discussion.

Discussion and possible action on allocation overage.  A producer in SQS #2 water use was 17.28 inches in 2022 and 11.53 inches in 2023.  The 2-year total would be 28.81 inches for the 3-year rolling allocation.  

The committee discussed the option of deducting the 6-inch penalty and the consequences.  A motion at the December Board Meeting increased the allocation to 30 inches over 3 years. The Committee felt that if this producer is allowed to go to 30 inches, a requirement for soil moisture sensors is required and, if possible, work with the local extension on irrigation management.  Staff will also investigate if the flow meter is working correctly and visit the producer.  

The staff visited the producer about the situation.  He questioned the reading that was entered in 2021.  The staff looked into the reading and discovered that the reading was potentially entered incorrectly.  With the number entered correctly, the site will have 7.7 acres/ inches for 2024 on the site.  The producer did get his meter re-calibrated and found it was within the 2% allowance.   

Rationale:  Lee Comenzind owns a parcel of land in the NE1/4 S22-18N-R8E, Dodge County, located in LPNNRD.   The well G-064422 is located in the NW S23-18N-8E, Dodge County, located in LENRD also owned by Lee.  Keith Johnson wants to swing the pivot completely around on both tracts, as shown by the map.  LENRD has just completed its ranking process on variances for adding additional acres where the tract of land in LPNNRD qualified to be approved from the well located in LENRD.
Attached is LENRD ranking score and information on this tract.  LPNNRD would be required to accept the acre feet depletion for the Lower Platte Basin IMP.  The acre feet depletion is 7.14 AF.     
The committee directed staff to develop an agreement with LE to handle variances across district lines before proceeding.  The committee asked LPN staff to reevaluate the acres shown on the map and to utilize our variance scoring for comparison.  The agreement will include, but not limited to, in allowing neighboring NRD's scoring systems and which NRD would be accepting the acre feet depletion.  The staff started the conversation with LE staff.  

Rationale:  An email was received on February 19, 2024 from Tyler Fredrick - UNL asking for a 6-month extension on well permit LPN-023-1830.

The well permit and letter are attached. 

Hello Daryl,

Last year we had a supplemental well application approved but we weren’t able to get the project done. See attached approval letter. Is it possible to get an extension for the permit? Hoping to get this project completed this season. Thanks!

Tyler
 

Rationale:  Doug Bartek wants to drill a separate well in the SE SE S13-15N-7E, Saunders County.  It is currently being supplied by an existing well that Doug might not be able to use in the future.  

Attachments.

Rationale:  Lezlie Thomas has applied for an industrial well permit for Lake Allure.  Information is attached but NRD staff does not have enough information to approve the permit.  NRD staff's concern is well spacing, purpose and total gallons for the year.  
This agenda item was shown to the committee and will be evaluated when the necessary information is received. 

Attachments

Rationale:  Galen Juranek wants to add supplemental wells to his existing irrigation systems.  Galen explained to the committee how he was planning on utilizing the wells in series with all the existing wells.  The majority of the wells pump about 75–100 gallons per minute and are only used when the pivot is unable to keep enough pressure for the nozzles.   

Attachments

Rationale:  Tri City is currently doing meter maintenance in LPN.

Rationale:  Last class on March 14 at ENREC starts at 6:30 pm.

Rationale: 

3 new wells have been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting. Two are part of Shell Creek.

 

Rationale: 

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

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County

 

Rationale:  A meeting was held in Schuyler on February 22 discussing a potential Phase Four area within the Schuyler - Richland Phase Three Area.  Discussion from producers were on flow meters, soil sampling and water use.  

Information from Jenna of NRCS
So far, I have 5 EQIP apps in the SWP area.

Erin Peterson (Pivot)
Daniel Wachal (Pivot)
Bohac Enterprises Inc (SDI)
Matt Bailey (SDI)
Lanny Schmid (Cover Crops)

The NRD has received 2 flow meter applications 
Jerel D Engel - $1,000
Keith Novak - $1,000

Attached is a flow meter cost-share application.  It says a $1,000 share if installed by April 1.  I am suggesting that a producer should get $1,000 if the application is received by April 1, 2024.  If the NRD moves forward with Phase 4, the Committee/ Board could revisit the dollar amount for the flow meter cost share.