April 30, 2026 at 9:30 AM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Keith Ziebenbein is applying for a well permit in LPNNRD restricted area (red) for SW SW 29-16-9E, Saunders County.  He received conditional approval on his variance request from the Board in September 2025. To move forward on the request required him to drill 3 test holes before a well permit can be approved.  The test holes information is attached.  
Keith was present at the Committee meeting to explain his situation.  The Committee was made aware of the conditions on previous approved wells in restricted areas, with Keith understanding that if local well interferences are occurring, his well could be shut off. 

Rationale:  Spheros made a presentation at the Board meeting on a proposed groundwater model to assist in the ranking of variances and determine areas of concern.  Attached is the presentation shown at the Board meeting where this model would decrease grid size for more accurate information.
This project is an extension of the plan to assist in the implementation of the plan and will be part of the scoring sheet that is under contract at the present time.  

If the Committee wants to proceed with the groundwater modeling project with Spheros, a contract is attached for $30,000.   

Attachments

An invoice for $2638.50 is attached from Spheros for the scoring sheet and water quantity contract.

Rationale:  Mike Inselman - RO unit - $505.92

Rationale:  At the present time, 367 individuals have completed nitrogen certification for 2026.  
In-person class — 228
Take Home Test — 21
On Line Test - 118

Items for the Committee to consider are that if an individual has let their certification lapse, staff can delay a replacement well application for 30 days after the application date, a new chemigation permit can be delayed for 14 days, and they will not be eligible for a variance for 1 year after coming into compliance.    

Rationale:  The Coalition meeting was held April 15th in the NRD Board Room in Wahoo.  The Board approved the coalition members' annual report and budget with dues staying at $10,000, except DWEE.  Jesse Bradley asked for a 2-year exception from the dues as they will be purchasing new servers to run the groundwater model for the Coalition.  They reviewed the next 5-year increments' timetable and heard presentations from Jesse Bradley with a DWEE update and Jame Herrick from Sentinel irrigation.  

Rationale:  Staff has discussed with DWEE that if the NRD requests that all modification forms be approved by the NRD, they will work with us.  The Committee still needs a procedure on how the process will work for approval or denials.  Attached is a draft policy to discuss. 

Rationale: 

For 2026, we have 279 renewals and 9 new permit applications for a current total of 288.  Inspections for renewal permits have not started.

Attachment.

Rationale:  Spring 2026 water levels compared to Spring 2025 from 213 measured wells. A map is attached.  

District wide — average water levels rose 1.28 feet with the median at 0.87 feet. 136 wells rose greater than 0.25 feet and 41 wells declined more than 0.25 feet. 
Todd Valley — average water levels rose 0.83 feet with the median at 1.09 feet.
Uplands — average water levels rose 2.33 feet with the median at 1.78 feet. 
Platte Valley — average water levels rose 0.41 feet with the median at 0.39 feet.
Shell Creek — average water levels rose 2.46 feet with the median at 2.02 feet. 

Rationale: 

# 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
Roger Nelson	I	$874.95 (awaiting final invoice)
Robert Meduna	I	$1,392 (awaiting final invoice)

 

Rationale:  Dale Grotelueschen - 2 Flow Meters - $2,000 

Rationale:  The conference is planned for July 21st through the 23rd in Lubbock, Texas. 

Rationale:  CSD is planning on drilling test holes at the Newman Grove site on May 12th, and potentially May 13th if extra time is needed.

Rationale:  The data loggers, through our agreement with DWEE, have been ordered and should arrive within the next couple of weeks. 

Rationale:  An open house with bus tour will be held on Wednesday, May 13, starting at 4:30 pm with the bus loading at 5:15 pm.  An email will be sent with details later.  

Rationale:  Quarterly invoices for $4,344 and $5,514 are attached for stream gauges and cameras which are contracted with USGS.