May 2, 2024 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Attached is the 2024 SWCP policy for approval.  Only recommended change is increasing our maximum cost-share assistance to $15,000.

Rationale:  Dana Kuhl                   Saunders         200 trees                      $    375.00
 

Rationale:  We received congressional letters of support (attached) from Senator Fischer, Senator Ricketts, and Congressman Flood.

Rationale:  The Rawhide WFPO regular monthly update meeting occurred 4/15, primary topics discussed: 

• Wetlands issues: NRCS pushed back on JEO's wetland benefits calculations in the initial economics BCA; NRCS felt that too many benefit $$ were being applied to wetland creations with this being a "flood reduction" project.  There are also concerns about the impacts with building the detention cells within existing stream wetland areas and the amount of mitigation that would be required.  JEO altered grading plans to stay out of wetland boundary.  Reducing the wetland impacts will also have a positive impact on Platte River depletion calculations.
• The local Airport Authority will need to provide sign-off on the plan; there is concern about the Merlyn England detention cell complex drawing in waterfowl and the detention cell lies in direct flight path of the runway.
• There was discussion regarding requirements for easement acquisitions.  WFPO (NRCS) is not requiring the sponsor to obtain any "flood" easements for the Fremont cut-off ditch portion, only structure footprint and construction easments.  This differs from the N. Bend Drainage Ditch repair which FEMA has instructed the NBDD to acquire easements outside of structure footprint.
• Plan EA submittal to NRCS national end of April*

Rationale:  The district is still working through some easement questions for the North Bend Cutoff Ditch project.  Larry plans to attend a future meeting to ask for assistance with repair for the Central Cutoff Ditch.  Attached are some documents.

Rationale:  Bill Bos submitted two applications for approval within our Shell Creek Environmental Enhancement Plan:

Roger Gehring    Alternate water/tank    $8,061
August Runge    Grade stab/WW    $9,184

As of 4/30, Bill reports that an approved on-site wastewater system is being installed:

Kenneth Nelson

Onsite Wastewater

$4,800

Next SCWIG meeting is June 18th at the Columbus NRCS office.

Rationale:  On 4/22 Gottschalk, Chapman and Elliott gave an update to the Saunders County Supervisors on the status of the Wahoo Creek WFPO.  The focus was the updated timeline and the two county road impacts of the project: Road P (Site 26) and Road G (Site 77).  Previously, the county had balked at the idea of additional work to keep Road P open as it's a minimum maintenance road, but now they would like to see what it would take.  The estimated plan (same for both roads) would be a road raise with a box culvert to allow for permanent pool to stay below the road, but in flood conditions the roads could still flood.  Mainelli/Wagner is the county's engineer and has been tasked with working with Olsson to draw up a design(s).

Rationale:  Staff met with Olsson design team on 4/18 to discuss construction timeline for the first three sites, site 77 alternatives, and Platte River depletions.

• The plan for the first three will be a 11/1 start date.  This will allow for tree removal without any stipulations for bat/bird nesting seasons.  Olsson expects to have all three designs back to DNR by 4/30; unless re-engineering is required due to depletions.  We expect to have our 404 permit from USACE by 6/30.  This would allow us to go to bids mid-late summer. 
• Olsson worked through multiple alternatives to change the principal spillway design from the planned 72" pipe to an accepted NRCS standard 48" concrete pipe.  The preferred alternative (3 in attachment) includes; same top of dam elevation, a two foot decrease in perm pool (~ 30 acre less), an increase in aux spillway elev, and an estimated $513,800 decrease in construction.  There is also further investigation needed into the breach path for this structure with concerns to the southern portion of Wahoo.  At present site 77 is classified as significant hazard.
• Multiple meetings have occurred between NRD, Olsson, NRCS, FWS to discuss Platte River depletions.  NRCS, NRDs, FWS, and NeG&P have a programmatic agreement that relates to in-stream flows within the Platte River to protect T&E species.  Under this agreement ANY project that could have depletion "calculated" at 25 ac/ft or more for the life of the project must have additional mitigation, or operational/designs to alleviate the depletion.  New guidance requires incorporating first-time fill for all wet dam structures.  We are developing a strategy to work with USGS stream gauges to determine when river levels are allowable to allow structures to fill and stay within FWS/G&P requirements for T&E species.

Olsson invoice and progress report is attached.

Rationale:  Danielle has started collecting title reports for the next series of easement acquisitions, and we are developing a plan to schedule out the order we feel will be most efficient.  Current invoice attached.

The status for the three remaining sites:

Vanek: their attorney has requested new appraisals, and a commitment that Road P will remain open.

Fujan: has major concerns over noxious weeds (is thistle) and wants the NRD to extend the two year weed management (listed in purchase agreement) to ten years.

Snitily: Where the negotiations sit at this point, and the planned timeline we need for fall construction, it is time that we need to develop a plan.

Rationale:  Our current WFPO agreement ends 9/30 and we will need to either file an extension (as previously done) or re-apply for a new agreement.  Allen Gehring, NRCS state engineer, advises re-applying for a new contract agreement as this will allow for; more than one year extension, additional cost estimates to be included.  The caveat with filing a new application would be a 30-45 day "dead period" that would not allow for any WFPO reimbursements.  This would require any Olsson design work (covered under WFPO) to be: 
1.  Paused during the transition period.  This option is not preferred with our planned bidding period for first three sites.
2.  Any incurred costs to be covered by JEDI funds, which is allowable under our JEDI agreement.
 

Rationale:  Paperwork for our new WHP/NWQI position was submitted.  We are still hopeful to have an agreement ready for Board meeting.  Drew is working on updating the Watershed Management Plan that will make this area eligible for 319 funding.  319 funding will compliment the new position and NRCS cost share programs.

Rationale:  The Watershed Management Plan was updated and submitted to NDEE and EPA for approval.  The 2024-2029 update is attached for Board approval with plans to approve at the next Coordinator Alliance meeting (?May 29th?).

Rationale:  Trend analysis proposal is progressing with NDEE 319 program committing $15,000.  Total cost from November 2023 was $148,100.  USGS will contribute $48,300.  This leaves $84,800 to be split over two years by remaining members: LPS, Papio, LPN, MUD, Lincoln Water, NeDNR, and NE G&P.  UNL has not committed.  With out UNL, this is $6,057 over two fiscal years = $12,114 total.  Direction from committee is requested.

Rationale:  Phase I of the project finished up construction towards the end of March. The Village has secured CDBG funding for Phase II of the project.  JEO is working on developing our agreement with the Village for Phase II.  Jake Miriovsky with JEO plans to be at next months committee meeting to give an update.  Several pictures taken by Sean are attached.
 

Rationale:  A kickoff meeting occurred on March 26th in the Board Room.  Fifteen individuals attended including four County Emergency Managers, and representatives from Schuyler, Fremont, and North Bend.  Materials are attached and a link to the project website: https://www.jeo.com/lpnnrd-hmp.  Our next public meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of June 17th at the Lake Wanahoo Education Building.