April 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.

 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda?

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  We had a great turn out at the Open House that was held on Friday, March 27th. We would like to thank all the current and past Directors that were able to attend. A special thanks to JEO for providing refreshments for everyone to enjoy. 

Rationale:  Directors Sabatka, Saalfeld and McKnight along with Gottschalk and Chapman attended the NARD Annual Washington DC Meeting, March 28-April 1st and can give a brief update.

Rationale:  April - Jon Mohr - Groundwater Model 
May - Dillon Kuehn - Water Strategies -Federal Update
August - IMP presentation by DWEE

Rationale:  Staff is working to get bids for seeding, sod or a combination of the two to complete the areas to be grassed and watered by our installed irrigation system. We hope to have a bid to be approved at the April 13th board meeting. 

Rationale:  Mr Hansen’s attorney and Jovan are working on the preliminary operating agreement and may have a draft form ready for review by board meeting. 

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:  We were very fortunate to have a very good pool of applicants for this position. After interviewing some worthy candidates, we have chosen to hire Nate Dorsey for the position. Nate's background, education and experience will make him a valuable addition to our LPNNRD team. 

Rationale:  With the increase in minimum wage to $15/hr Management is recommending all Wanahoo technicians who have been employed for over 2 years to be paid $16.00 per hour and those under 2 years to be paid $15.50. 
It is also recommended to increase Richard Mullen, Sharon Kremlacek and Abbey Borchers’ salaries by $1.00 per hour. 

Rationale:  Grant will be available to present and review the February Financial Statement. 

Rationale:  Attached find Gottschalk's time and expense sehets. 

Rationale:  We have no unfinished business to consider.

Rationale:  NGPC is transitioning to a new web-based reservation system for public access sites in the State. This applies to all PATH sites, including the 7 sites at Lake Wanahoo. The new program is called the "Managed Access Program (MAP)". Significant changes from PATH include the number of days allowed to be reserved at any one time (2), reservations limited to 3-days prior to hunting, and the mandatory post-hunt survey before you can reserve another site. The "MAP" is at least partially built to create public hunting/recreation opportunities in the more populated areas of eastern Nebraska.

Rationale:  The O & M crew continues to remove trees from Clear Creek Levee, Wanahoo and Czechland.
We had to establish a blockade off of County Road E on to the Clear Creek Levee (picture). People are coming off Co. Rd E with vehicles driving up the levee bank to the top. These must be people that don't have the combination to the gate on the levee.

Rationale:  In the Programmatic Review by NRCS, they are asking that a non-structural alternative be added back into the plan. HDR sent a Second Amendment to the agreement with Engineering Services on the afternoon of April 2. This Second Amendment and engineering will cost $27,050, which will be part of the study cost provided by the NRCS (Recommendation needed). This addition will take about 4 weeks to get the Supplement Plan - EA updated, coordinate with NRCS to make sure they are good with the results. Then the document is ready for public review.
Staff is still working with NRCS on developing an RFP for the rehabilitation design of Cottonwood 21-A.

Rationale:  Houston is addressing some updates to reporting following their call with FEMA a couple of months ago. Nothing has happened because FEMA is essentially shut down because of the current DHS funding lapse.
Also, Houston Omaha had a surprise visit by staff out of North Dakota who were completing a LiDAR drone survey of a different project. Because they had that travel time covered, and the equipment was in town, they were able to get Wanahoo included in their data collection, so they now have some great LiDAR scans and aerials of the downstream channel and dam. This is an improvement on the Topo survey they had planned on completing and will be covered by the budget for that task.

Rationale:  The District was notified by NET that our grant for a No-Till Grass drill will be funded.
The drill has been ordered through Benes Service and will not be picked up until July 1. This drill will be stationed at Rezac Seed in Saunders County.

Rationale:  We received an invoice for $60,000 from Papio-Missouri NRD as a partner for the management of invasive vegetation. This amount was increased last year due to the lack of grant funding and budget cuts at the State level. (See Recommendation)
Also, the Interlocal agreement between LPN, LPS, & Papio has been updated with a 2nd amendment (attached). The amendment will redefine the Flood Channels to include "floodplains". For surveys, a survey can now be done by the affected County or NRD by air boat, drone, or helicopter. For spraying, the affected county can use airboats or drones. Lastly, give the contracting NRD's the ability to increase funding if state and/or grant funds are not available. (See motion below)

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to to approve the Second Amendment to the Phragmites Management Interlocal agreement between LPNNRD, LPSNRD and Papio-Missouri NRD as attached. 

Rationale:  We have not received any applications or requests for payments for bank stabilization.

Rationale:  For the month of February, the District received $4,250.50 in park permit revenue.

Rationale:  For the month of February, the District received $3,051.93 in camping revenue.

Rationale:  Lake Wanahoo has been contacted by two individuals looking to purchase a bench to be installed as a memorial for a loved one.  Currently, we have one bench available for installation.  We would like to purchase 3 benches to meet both current and future requests.  The cost for these benches, including freight, is $3,997.45.  The quote from Outdoor Recreation Products has been attached.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 16 times in March, with 1 NRD event. Revenue for the month was $1,175. There are only 7 remaining weekend dates available for 2026.

Staff have been discussing adjustments to the rental times and rates. New rates and rental times would begin April 15, 2026. There would not be an adjustment to the deposit of $150. However, both the deposit and rental fee would be required at the time of booking to decrease staff time.

The increase in prices would be as follows:

Rental Type	Time Frame	2027 Rate	2028 Rate
Day Rental (Monday - Thursday)	7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.	$150	$175
Full Rental (Any day includes weekends)	7:00 a.m. - midnight	$250	$300

Rationale:  KTIC radio ads schedule:
March: Environmental Education
April: Recreation Areas

Digital display ad schedule:
Recreation Areas now through June
 

Rationale:  Top Posts for Facebook and X during March included:
• New office open house flyer
• March Coffee, Lakeside flyer
• Photos from Ag Literacy Festival in Columbus
• Groundwater Management Plan public hearing notice
• Native Nook program information

Facebook followers: 1,869
X followers: 429

On the LPNNRD website, top pages included the home page, Lake Wanahoo, Forestry, Downloads, and Czechland Lake. We received traffic from Facebook (47), NARD (131).

Rationale:  Dodge County Fair: July 29 - August 2, 2026. Last year we donated $500. The same options are available this year. The Full Pull donation of $500 will include announcer recognition at events, recognition on donation boards at the fairgrounds and on the fair website, a banner with our logo displayed during the fair. 

Saunders County Fair: July 26 - August 2, 2026. Last year we donated $500. Similar options are available this year. The Bronze Sponsorship of $500 will include a 3’x5’ banner displayed at events, logo on the fair website, social media post, Business name on large "Thank You" banner, 1 mention during motorsports event.

Butler County Fair: July 14 - July 19, 2026. Last year we donated $500. The same options are available. First in Class Sponsorship of $500 will include name listed on back of schedule flyer, name listed on website, name on large banner, and name on advertisement poster.
 

Rationale: 

• March 3rd: Platte Co Ag Literacy Festival — Columbus 283 students learned about irrigation and groundwater.
• March 12th: Coffee Lakeside - Education Department Update (13)
• March 19th: North Bend Elementary - Water topics - (43)
• March 20th: Fremont Elementary STEM Day Owl's of Nebraska and Pellets (124)
• March 23rd: St. Wenceslaus - Soil (28) 
• March 25th: FFA Convention — Lincoln - NRD's and careers (200+)
• March 26th: Senior Center - Education Dept. Update (8)
• March 31st: Survival Club - Jeopardy (15)

Rationale:  April 9th: Coffee Lakeside - Mollusks and Crayfish of Nebraska
April 15th: North Bend 4th Grade
April 16th: Wahoo High School
April 20th: Wahoo High School @ Lake Wanahoo
April 21st: Wahoo 2nd grade field trip
April 22nd: North Bend 5th Grade & Grand opening of bird feeding structure
April 28th: Field Trip for St. Wenceslaus Pre-K at Lake Wanahoo

TBD: Earth Day and Arbor Day events in queue

Rationale:  To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must:
• Be a graduating senior at Newman Grove High School, Schuyler Central High School, or Columbus Lakeview High School
• Have completed at least one year as a member of the Shell Creek Watershed Monitoring Program
• Be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or university
• Plan to pursue a major or course of study relating to science and/or natural resources
We have received applications from:

Applicant	School	Years in Shell Creek Watershed testing	College	Program
Hayden Bailey	Schuyler Central	4	Northeast Community College	Utility Line
Kailey Patzel	Newman Grove	6	Midland University	Elementary Education
Aubree Whitaker	Newman Grove	3	Northeast Community College	Nursing

Scholarship recipients will receive ½ of the scholarship upon commencement of their first term, with the remainder being issued upon proof of successful completion of the first term with a GPA of B/3.0 or above. 

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read, bills mailed 4/1.
Attached is a proposed rate increase for the Colon RWD; new rates would be an average of 6% rate increase on the total bill.  The last rate increase on the Colon RWD was 2021.

Rationale:  The Bruno RWD had to repair the automatic control valve within our Bruno meter pit due to buildup restricting the valve from closing.  This valve is controlled by a pressure transducer that communicates with the Village of Bruno water tower.  The valve wasn't shutting completely and the tower causing the tower to overflow.
Routine sampling completed, meters read, and bills mailed 4/1.
Attached is a proposed rate increase for the Bruno RWD; rate increase would be an average of 8% per customer.  The last rate increase for Bruno RWD was 2022.

Rationale:  Lon Olson would like to donate a 12' Blk Hills Spruce from his yard to the NRD office grounds. He would pay half the cost to transplant the tree. He's looking for a tree spade. He also asked if we would allow others to donate trees for memorials, etc. on the grounds.

Rationale:  Taylor Farms is requesting to transfer 15 acres from NW NW 12-17-5E to SE S12-17-7E.  These sites are located in Dodge County between North Bend and Fremont.  

Staff explained that there would be a gain in acre feet of water, which is part of the 5-year allotment with the Coalition.  

Maps are shown.

Rationale:  Sandra Muhle is requesting clarification of a tract of land that she is now the primary owner.  The tract land is in the N NW 17-18-1E, Platte County and north of Columbus Lakeview Schools; a map is attached.  The well located in this tract is shown on DWEE website G-019000 as an active irrigation well drilled in 1956.  This well is physically not there as investigated, but the map shows 35.11 irrigated acres.  NRD staff could not find any record of irrigated taxes being paid on this tract of land.  Sandra has applied for a variance, but is this an expansion of acres or a new well and how many acres does she need to apply for? 

Shown are the rules to determine irrigated acres.  The NRD does not have a policy once the acres are certified to decertify the acres.

Staff handled the issue with parties prior to the Committee meeting.  A new well variance has been applied for, which will be reviewed in September.  No existing irrigated acres will be shown on this tract and paperwork on the old well will be filled out to decommission the existing well.  

Historic Irrigated acre shall mean:
(1) in stay management areas any acre that is certified as such pursuant to rules and regulations of the District and that has actually been supplied water through irrigation works, mechanisms, or facilities (a) for two of the last ten years prior to the effective date of the stay management area and two years of the most recent ten year period subsequent to the effective date of the stay management area or, (b) at least one of the last two years prior to the effective date of the stay management area, or (c) land that is defined as sub-irrigated, or (d) land that was previously irrigated two of the last ten years prior to the effective date of the stay management area and two of the last most recent ten year period subsequent to the effective date of the stay management area was enrolled in a federal conservation program;
(2) in non-stay management areas, any acre that is certified as such pursuant to rules and regulations of the District and that has actually been supplied water through irrigation works, mechanisms, or facilities (a) for two of the last ten years, or (b) at least one of the last two years, or (c) land that is defined as sub-irrigated, or (d) land that was previously irrigated but during two of the most recent ten year period was enrolled in a federal conservation program;
(3) The District may grant an exception for good cause shown;
 

Rationale:  Greg Fujan would like to transfer acres within the restricted area and SQS 1.  Robert Shanahan has agreed to give up 40 acres in the SE SE 21-15-5E and NE NE 28-15-5 to Greg; which will transfer the acres to the SW SW 28-15-5E.  These sites are on the eastern side of the SQS #1 management area.  

The Committee commented that as this is moving acres away from the middle of SQS 1, this should be a benefit.  Greg commented that the water levels have stayed steady over the years from the well he plans on utilizing.  

Attached is a map of the locations along with the NRD management map.  

Rationale:  Kalend McCurdy is requesting 2 high-capacity wells for duck ponds that will pump 300 GPM for the SE NE Section 34-17N-3E and NW SW Section 35-17N-3E, Butler County, across the river south of Schuyler. A map is attached showing the 2 locations with the plan to fill 10 acre ponds for habitat.

The Committee wants to make sure that these wells do not interfere with other wells in the area and if complaints are received, the NRD has the right to shut the wells down.  The wells can only be used from September 1 to May 31 per policy.      

Rationale:  Paul Boyd is requesting 4 de-watering permits in SW SW S36-18N-7E for the purpose of excavating a 2.5 acre pond. This site is NW of Fremont and Hwy 30.  From spring water level measurements from NRD GWEL wells, the water levels are 7.2 and 7.39 feet below the surface in this area.   

The committee wanted more information as to where the water would be draining, have neighbors been notified and the purpose of the pond.  No action was taken on these permits.  

Map and graph attached. 

Rationale:  Attached is a draft policy for a change in water use, the current DWEE modification form, and what the state form could be changed to. 

Rationale:  A map shows the certification of acres that will need to be rectified.  

The committee discussed the acres affected by the highway and whether the producers control the acres or the State Dept. of Transportation.   

Rationale:  The Board Meeting is on April 15, starting at 10 am in the NRD Board Room at Wahoo.  
Copy of report is attached.

Rationale: 

For 2026 we have 146 renewals and 7 new permit applications for a current total of 153.  Inspections for 0 renewal permits have been completed.

May 1st chemigation inspections will start. 

Rationale:  Staff is over half done on spring water levels. 

Rationale:  Nitrate Results Above MCL: 11.8, 16.7, 13.2, 21.1, 16.5, 12.1
Pesticide Results: None Detected 
Uranium Results Above MCL (all): 116 ug/L, 30.9 ug/L, 91.4 ug/L

YSI
-Sent in one of our three YSI instruments to be serviced. The last one was sent in to be serviced in July 2025. The state sends theirs in yearly to ensure they are as accurate as possible. 

Quote total - $1,180.21

Phase Area Rules & Regs 
-Updated recommendations/ proposals will be brought to the next committee. 

Rationale: 

2 new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Mary Norton/Jeremy Schreiber	I	$1,073	Colfax

 

Rationale:  Flow meter cost-share 
Timothy Rickert - 1 flow meter - $1,000
David Hahn - 1 flow meter - $1,000 
Jeremy Theilen - 1 flow meter - $1,000
Roger Wilshusen - 1 flow meter - $1,000

Rationale:  The group met on March 27 and decided to send out a news release concerning the drought.  Some of the concerns are the amount of moisture received this winter and snow pack in the Rocky Mountains. 

Rationale:  Newman Grove Monitoring Well Bids

We had two well drillers interested in the project, however, one was unable to get his in due to family circumstances.

Rationale:  For the Newman Grove Monitoring Well Project, CSD is planning on digging the test holes. Attached is the agreement with CSD, and the estimate for a 400-foot test hole is $5,000. We need a motion to proceed.

Rationale:  Attached is the quote for transducers with the purpose of monitoring water quantity within Wellhead Protection Areas. This will be fully reimbursed from the transducer agreement in the amount of $$9,309.18.

Motion is recommended to proceed.

Rationale:  The Contaminant Management Strategy Guide was submitted to DWEE. They are currently finishing up the Wellhead Protection Plan. Open houses are the next step to be completed once DWEE is done.

Rationale:  Spheros (formerly LRE) will be giving a progress update report on the scoring sheet and water quantity project LPN contracted in January 2026.  They will also present a modeling suggestion as a tool to utilize with variances and well permits.    

An abbreviated presentation was given to show the progress of the scoring sheets and to present the idea of a groundwater model to assist with well permits and variances.  

An invoice is attached for $2,607.25 for the contracted work. 

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.

Rationale:  Back in September, we were asked if we wanted an extended warranty for the generator. The operations committee wanted to go through year one to see how it goes. We have a 2-year warranty, year one is comprehensive (bumper to bumper), and the second year is parts only. Year one will end on May 7th. The extended warranty comprehensive plans (bumper to bumper) are: a 5-year plan is $1,150, the 7-year plan is $2,132, and the 10-year plan is $3,446 (this is not a per year payment). The extended warranty payment is due May 6th, 2026.
Our once a year service will take place on April 15th and the generator has approximately 47 hours of use.

Rationale:  B-25-1 - Tom Samek - $10,289.72 - TOT-WASCB

A motion will be needed at Board meeting to approve $10,289.72 SWCP payment to Tom Samek for the completed terrace/basin project.  

Rationale:  Onsite Wastewater System Upgrade Payment - Tom King - $6,131.36

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve 60% cost-share payment of $6,131.36 to Tom King for onsite wastewater upgrade. This payment will be reimbursement through the Shell Creek 319 plan. 

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.