February 26, 2015 at 8:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Gottschalk reviewed the current SWCP spreadsheet with the committee.  We have expended approximately 36% of State and local SWCP funding. 

Rationale:  No applications for approval were presented.

Rationale:  14-B-53 Mary Ann Shuey Rev. Trust Flow Meter $ 625.00

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Leonard & Shirley Chmelka Living Trust Basins/Terraces/Tile $ 5,878.42
Kenneth D. Fencl Basins/Waterways $ 1,927.66

TOTAL: $ 7,806.08

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  WAHOO CREEK PAYMENTS:

Lawrence Mach Terraces/Basin/Pipe $ 1,712.57

(This is the first payment for Wahoo Creek.  These payments coordinate with Federal EQIP funding)

Rationale:  The Committee reviewed proposed 2015 changes our SWCP Policy as attached and gave input.  We will be asking for a recommendation to approve the final draft at the April 2 Projects Committee Meeting.  

Rationale:  NDEQ is finishing their edits to the completed Watershed Water Quality Plan  and will be sent to EPA for comments soon.

Rationale:  Staff met with NDEQ, SCWIG and NRCS personnel on February 24 to to discuss recent EPA 319 and Environment Trust grant awards and work on a Project Implementation Plan.  We have been approved for $50,000 from NDEQ and have been preliminarily approved for another $155,000 from NET for grade control structures and other watershed BMP's.  There is also another $87,000 from prior approved NET grant awards which is planned to be used toward project engineering and design. 

Rationale:  During the February 10th SCWIG meeting, group members requested Assistant Manager Mountford to investigate their potential liability acting as LPNNRD's Advisory Group and if they could be covered under our liability coverage.  This topic was presented to our attorney, Jovan Lausterer, and his suggestions for proceeding are attached.   SCWIG has been in existence for about fifteen years and has been a vital partner in accomplishing conservation measures in the watershed.  SCWIG initially helped secure and administer several grants and teamed with the Praireland RC&D to apply for and disperse those funds.  Although SCWIG will be closing out an older grant with the Environmental Trust this year, LPNNRD has taken over the lead role with new Shell Creek grant efforts.  We suggest looking into the costs for our insurance provider, LARM, to add liability coverage for SCWIG solely acting as our advisory group.  

Rationale:  The Newman Grove Science Club is requesting our assistance in purchasing water testing supplies and equipment for 2015 sampling of Shell Creek.  In the past we have shared this expense with SCWIG who has used available grant funds to help the club. 

Rationale:  We anticipate receiving an invoice from JEO's for work completed on the Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan by Board Meeting.  If received, board review and approval will be requested at that time.  

Rationale:  Meghan Sittler was present to update the Projects Committee on several Alliance activities.  She briefed the committee that LPRCA members will have a discussion (9:00 a.m.on April 21, at LPSNRD) regarding the obstruction removal project at Two Rivers State Park.  As we know, the project costs doubled due to pier removal requirements required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Discussion on whether the partners wish to continue with a portion of the project or drop this effort entirely will occur.  Discussion on the upcoming draft Alliance Budget for FY 2015-2016 will also occur at that time.   Also attached to the Projects Committee Minutes is Meghan's written January 2015 report. 

Rationale:  Heimann updated the committee on the current status of the Fremont 205 Study as detailed in the O, E, & RW Committee Minutes.

Rationale:  Contractor plans on returning to the job site early March.  The following items need to be completed: Final Grading, Staking of Boundary Markers and Seeding.

Rationale:  Director Bailey gave an update on the slow process of getting needed information from the Army COE that is required  to complete his no-rise certificate needed for the landowners project east of Schuyler.  Suggestions were given that will hopefully move things along quicker.

Rationale:  JEO continues to work on completing our All-Hazard Mitigation Plan update for the District.  They are in the process of contacting Woodcliff, Colon and Dwight about completing some detailed analysis on priority projects. We will also determine if we wish to use some of the available grant funding to complete downstream breach route mapping on a few of our floodwater dams.   This information would be used for informing county zoning and floodplain officials to prohibit residential development in those mapped areas.  

Rationale:  The Projects Committee decided to change the starting time of  their future meetings from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

Rationale:  Attached are the Project Financials as of January 31, 2015.  The Projects Budget as of that time was 27.19% expended.  The Land Treatment Budget (found under Water Expenses) was 32.32% expended. 

Rationale:  Segment 4B -
Contractor is working with the COE on a contract modification to extend the current levee construction area and cross section of the area affected by the ice jam flooding. This segment if 75% completed.

Segment 5
Contractor has completed work on Camp Ashland side of the river and is focusing on the Big Sandy Development Area, which is to be completed by mid-May.

Rationale:  With no further business, the Projects Committee adjourned at 10:32 a.m.