March 28, 2024 at 9:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  NeDNR notified all NRDs of additional SWCP funding being made available; a total of $3,124.57 is added to our FY24 allocation of $86,748.10.  As of 3/27 we have allocated $59,997.95.
We will be approving our SWCP policy at the May Board meeting, attached is the current policy for review.  A request from area field offices would be an increase to our current maximum approval amount, $12,500.  Also attached is the current DNR Practice Payment Schedule.

Rationale:  Attached are this years applications for tree planting:

JESSICA ROTH	$                        397.50	TREE PLANTING
RYAN WOEHL	$                        993.75	TREE PLANTING
TOM SCHRACK	$                     3,585.00	TREE PLANTING
KIRK CARPENTER	$                        943.42	TREE PLANTING

Rationale:  NRCS submitted a certified LFC for payment:
 

CARL & DOROTHY PETERSON TRUST

25

$                  5,875.00

35-15N-6E SAUNDERS

WAHOO

Rationale:  Fremont Flood Rick Open House
Keene Memorial Library
1030 North Broad St
Fremont, NE 68025
Monday, April 1st, 2024
6:00-8:00 p.m.

Rationale:  A fact sheet for the project is attached along with a summary of the FEMA BRIC program.  The scoping project has been closed out and the NRD will receive $2,012.00 from NEMA/FEMA through Dodge County for Management Costs.

Rationale:  Update meeting on 3/18 (agenda attached), primary topics of discussion:

• Detention cell alternative will need to have local airport authority sign off as part of the plan per FAA.  JEO is working with Fremont and the airport authority on this concern; Merlyn England detention site is in direct flight path of runway and the airport has concerns over increased bird traffic.
• Wetland impacts and Platte river depletion are issues raised by NRCS that JEO is working through options.  NRCS has concerns about wetland credits on the BCA side and also the resulting mitigation requirement.  JEO proposed limiting wetland excavation on north channel of detention cell.
• JEO survey crews completed residential surveys on impacted sites of Fremont cut-off road raise.
• Next meeting 4/15, plan to have Plan EA submitted to NRCS National for review by end of April

Rationale:  Chapman attended a project update meeting on March 12.  Easements are needed for the entire project area including some upstream parcels that are modeled to have increased flooding potential.  The district does not currently have any easements on the ditch constructed in the 1960's.

Rationale:  Director Tonnies, Staff Elliott and Chapman visited Platte River erosion issues approximately four miles east of North Bend along with representatives form Cotterell Diking and Drainage District, Ames Diking and Drainage District, Dodge County, and Legges Lake HOA.  Several extremely large jetties will likely be needed.  The County is looking to see if 2019 flood funds can be utilized to help.  There are a few pictures attached.

Rationale:  Newman Grove High School volunteer monitoring group is requesting Nitrate, Phosphate, and pH testing Kits as detailed below.

Description	Item Number	Price	Quantity	Total
Nitrate Test Kit	94834	$69.95	6	$419.70
Phosphate Test Kit	94837	$58.25	1	$58.25
pH Test Kit	94836	$77.50	1	$77.50

SCWIG received an estimate from CSI (Cornhusker State Industries - NE Department of Corrections) to make thirty, 20"x30", double-sided, realtor style, signs for $51 each.  SCWIG is requesting 30 signs utilizing grant funds.
More recently, CSI is no longer able to get 20"x30" frames.  Price for 24"x36" is $109.10 per sign.
SCWIG held a meeting 3/5 in Columbus, topics of discussion:

• South benching project timeline - Colfax Co bridge replacement on schedule, once complete the benching project will go to bid.  NRD, Colfax Co will have an updated interlocal agreement for this phase of the project.
• Bill Bos updates
• SCWIG celebration September 12.

Next SCWIG meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 3rd, at the Columbus NRCS office.

Rationale:  Discussion and potential action on several easements.  Invoice for $5,259.31 is attached.

Rationale:  The NRCS application for funding a NWQI-SWP Coordinator prodition has been submitted.  We expect an agreement ready for May board meeting with plans to have the position filled July 1st.  Staff are currently working on updating the 319 Watershed Management Plan needed to receive complimentary 319 project funding.

Rationale:  Project Update:  Leshara put the project out for bid in June 2023 and hired Dynamic Dirtworks and Demolition LLC out of Firth, Nebraska.  The work started in late October and the substantial completion date was December 31, 2023.  Unfortunately, that date was not met by the contractor.  Substantial completion is expected the week of March 11th with the final inspection and walk through soon after.
Leshara is requesting the balance of $27,179.05 for phase one of their project.  Payment summary and requests are attached.
The Village was also approved for their second CDB Grant and expect to begin Phase Two in a few months.

Rationale:  A Kickoff meeting occurred on March 26th in the Board Room.  Agenda and other information is attached.  One of the add on's the the grant was a drought mitigation plan.  Over the next several weeks, staff will be scoping out the drought plan with our consultant JEO.  We plan to run drought mitigation planning portions through Water Committee.

Rationale:  Nebraska Loess Hills Resource Conservation & Development Council 2024 renewal invoice is attached.