December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Bryan Hein received an approved variance to apply for a well permit in the SE SE Section 17-15N-3E, Butler County.   A condition on the variance was a test hole requirement before issuing a well permit.  The test hole information is attached, showing sand and gravel from 311 to 376 feet with more gravel below that with a couple of clay layers down to 412 feet.  The static water level is around 200 feet as shown by 3 wells monitored by the LPNNRD.  
The Committee discussed conditions that should be met and encouraged Bryan to communicate with his neighbor.  Bryan plans on installing soil moisture sensors to assist in irrigation management.   

Rationale:  Greg Fujan received an approved variance allowing him to drill test holes before issuing a well permit.  This variance was allowed to move forward because it was within 1 mile of the Non-Hydrologically Connected Area (White).  Attached is a map with the 3 sites utilized for geological information. Site 1, red gravel was found between 55–85 feet, with more gravel found between 100–109 with clay layers in between.  Site 2 gravel and sand were found between 52–63 with harder rock afterward. Site 3 showed red gravel from 60 to 100 feet.  The static water level is around 35 feet with a graph showing information from a LPNNRD water quantity monitoring well. 
Mark and Joyce Olsson presented a letter to the Committee for review on this well location.  The Committee and staff answered the questions but still wanted to make sure the Committee understood that their domestic well in past years had sufficient water and wanted to continue without issues. (Letter is attached)  The Committee encouraged Greg to communicate with his neighbors.  

Rationale:  Larry Rasmussen received an approved variance in 2024 allowing him to drill test holes before issuing a well permit.  An extension was granted to Larry until February 2026 to allow him to utilize Ttem information. This variance was allowed to move forward because it was within 1 mile of the Hydrologically Connected Area (Blue).  Attached is a report from the Ttem showing the location of a potential location for a well.  A 4th test hole was drilled showing sand and gravel from 50 to 75 feet. By the test hole report, the water level was around 41 feet.   The static water level shown by the graphs from LPNNRD water quantity monitoring wells is around 60 feet. 
Stuart from AWS well drilling explained the results of the Ttem analysis and drilled a test hole from the report and found better water-bearing material compared to 3 previous test holes.  The committee recommended Larry to communicate with his neighbors. 

Rationale:  September and October Invoices for $20,509.50 are attached for the SQS evaluation contract.  

Discussion is needed for the SQS area from the LRE presentation.  The deadline for changing allocations is December 15. 

The Committee directed staff to redraw new boundaries for the SQS #2 area with a 1-mile buffer for the next Water Committee Meeting.  Rules and Regulations on allocations, new wells and acre expansion will be discussed at this Committee Meeting.  The Committee encouraged staff to reach out to producers in this area to attend.  

Rationale:  The deadline for this program has been extended to December 15, 2025.  As of this time, we have 7 producers signed up for 3500 acres.  Staff has been collecting data from last year's participants, so payments can be paid if they qualify.  

Rationale:  Certification classes are set for the upcoming year.  This class is required every 4 years for producers to be eligible for services from Lower Platte North NRD like variances, well permits and chemigation permits.  The class has been updated from previous versions.   

Dates and Locations:

• January 29, 1 pm at ENREEC, Ithaca
• February 4, 1 pm at Extension office, Fremont
• February 17, 10 am at Columbus Library, Columbus
• February 25, 1 pm at Lindsay Town Hall, Lindsay
• March 10, 6 pm at ENREEC, Ithaca

Online certification is available as an option. 

Rationale:  Annual dues of $10,000 are attached per contract.

Rationale:  Fall water levels have been completed. Staff will be mailing out fall groundwater levels.  The water levels in Fall 2025 rose 4.97 feet from Fall 2024 and Fall 2025 was 0.29 feet higher than in Spring 2025.  92 percent of the wells were higher in the fall of 2025 compared to fall of 2024.
 

Rationale:  Staff has analyzed 2024 & 2025 water sampling efforts. Several maps are included below, representing the different contaminants sampled throughout the district.

Contaminants sampled
Nitrates
MCL: 10 mg/L
Health effects: Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.

Chloride 
SMCL:  250 mg/L
Effects: Unpleasant salty taste. It can contribute to health issues like high blood pressure and sodium-restricted diets. Contributes to corrosion. Can indicate other contaminants are present such as lead, or bacteria.

Sodium 
MCL: No MCL. 
Health effects: Similar to Chloride. Levels above 50 mg/L can be detrimental to certain crops. 

Uranium 
MCL: 30 ug/L
Health effects: Increased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity.

Selenium
MCL: 0.05 mg/L or 50 ug/L
Health effects: Hair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory problems.

Rationale: 

One new well has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

One well has been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Roma Hutton	Irrigation	$1,025.62	Saunders

 

Rationale:  The following invoices have been received for flow meter costshare:

• Mary Norton Trust for $1,000.
• Clint Jedlicka for $2,000.
• Dean Bell for $2,000.

Received flow cost share applications for the following which will be approved. 

• Nancy Killham — 2 flow meters for $2,000.
• Mike Drinnin --- 1 flow meter for $1,000.

Rationale:  The Platte Center Source Water Protection Grant has been completed. Closing paperwork will be done shortly. 

The Newman Grove Source Water Protection Grant is close to completion. 

The Malmo Wellhead Protection Plan is in development. There was a meeting earlier today to develop the work plan.

Rationale:  The Newman Grove Source Water Protection Contract has the Lower Platte North NRD and DWEE obligated for cost-share on well decommissioning within the Project Area. There were four wells decommissioned in the project area on October 31st, 2025.

The recommended motion is to pay for 50% of the well decommissioning costs for the Newman Grove Source Water Protection Contract pending proof of payment from the City of Newman Grove. This amount would come out to $2,925.00 out of the total of $5,850. 

Rationale:  The GMDA conference will be held in Roswell, NM on March 2–5. 2026.