April 2, 2026 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Listed below are completed SWCP applications ready for payment:
 

B-25-2	RONALD SWOBODA	$                           8,336.95	TOT/WASCB
S-25-4	TAYLOR MURREN	$                           1,680.00	COVER CROP
S-25-7	LARRY POSPISIL	$                           2,452.50	COVER CROP
S-25-3	PAUL POLACEK	$                           2,452.50	COVER CROP

Total DWEE reimbursement = $14,921.95

Rationale:  FEMA's BRIC application period opened up on March 25th and the Elkhorn Township/East Fremont Drainage project could be eligible for consideration.  The City of Fremont will need to decide if they want to proceed with completing an application quickly as the application period is short.  Applications are due July 23rd and repackaging the application is estimated at $15-20k.  The current plan (as discussed at previous JWMAB meeting) is to have JEO develop a comprehensive ditch cleaning plan.

Rationale:  Bill Bos confirmed the Tom King septic system upgrade has been completed and is waiting on paperwork to certify payment.  Bill submitted a new septic system application in Colfax co, current system is open discharge into Shell Creek:
Lyle Klug: Estimated cost: $10,200.00 $6,120.00 60% c/s
Bill was contacted by a landowner in Colfax county about a concern along Shell Creek regarding streambank erosion near a new bridge.  Bill will contact Carl Grotelueshen to inspect the site and report back.
 

Rationale:  Monthly update meeting occurred on 3/31, highlights of the month:

• Shanahan completed sand drain and outlet installation on 26B
• Shanahan continued auxiliary spillway excavation on 26A
• TCI began forming next 10' riser section on 26A
• Riprap and 47B sand hauled to 26B

Photos attached
TCI invoice attached

Rationale:  We have received site 77 back from NRCS Nat'l Watershed Center review.  We are meeting with Olsson, NE NRCS in the near future to discuss comments:

• Standard Drawings: NE NRCS advised Olsson to use standard drawings for strength calculations for the principal spillway riser and impact basin/plunge pool.  NWC wanted original drawings.
• Geotech: NWC wanted more extensive survey than industry standard, eg, boring outside of excavation/embankment area.
• Another submittal MAY be necessary, TBD

Our federal partners are reviewing our biological assessment related to our ACOE 404 permit.  

Site 84 should be submitted to NDEE by the end of April for permitting review.

Attached are progress report, and invoices from Olsson for engineering and construction oversight.

Rationale:  Updates on outstanding acquisitions and remaining parcels.
Invoice attached.

Rationale:  JEDI funds have been reduced by $2.9M in the final budget bill that the Legislature passed (this is $1.5M more than was planned).  This results in approximately $1.5-$1.75M less funding being available than we currently have contracted (Wahoo Creek and Morse Bluff project).
We recently submitted a water sustainability grant application for the construction of site 85.
We were also recently informed that NRCS has slippage funds from another state that they intend to add to our construction agreement for the first 3 sites.
Conversations will be coming to discuss the order and timetable for construction along with funding mechanics.

Rationale:  Meetings with Frontier have been successful. We are meeting with their on-the-ground reps on 4/2/26 to give them the cost-share numbers and other information to push to producers in the area. They will also be promoting these cost-share practices throughout their southeast Nebraska region, along with the state's NUE program.

Rationale:  Attached is a request for the Platte River from Fremont to South Bend, NE feasibility study.  A separate section 22 study request letter is expected to be developed shortly.
A section 22 study would potentially be able to be funded as early as this spring/summer (depending on funds availability), and can be quite flexible in terms of scope and costs. Based on Corps assessment of socioeconomic demographic data, they believe this study would qualify for 100% Federal funding. Corps staff recommend using the Section 22 study to develop some of the foundational data and modeling that we’d need for the feasibility study (attached).

Rationale:  Drone survey has been completed with the exception of portions that are under water.  They plan to complete underwater portions in the next few weeks the old fashion way.

Rationale:  Attached is a renewal request and 2025 Annual Report for the Nebraska Loess Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council.