July 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  The NRD was informed that we will not be receiving a state allocation for NSWCP funding for FY27.  There has been a legal injunction against transferring funds from NET which funded the State's NSWCP allocation.
See attachment
Our NRD/NRCS Field Technician, Adam Brockman, provided a list of applications that he has for FY 27.  We currently have one approved application for summer construction that is estimated at $4300.  We typically approve our fall applications at the August Board meeting.

Rationale:  Adam Brockman submitted one final cover crop payment for approval from Platte County

P-25-5    DONALD GASPER     $5,086.40     COVER CROP
 

Rationale:  From Mr Eason, Cotterelle D&D district President:

The Cotterell D&D District has recently completed a contract with Alan Kassmeier Trucking for 60 side dump truck loads of broken concrete (see details in the minutes of the Sept 8,2025 meeting).  All of the concrete has been piled in an old silo on the west end of Eason Lake in Cotterell Township, Dodge County.  Thanks for your assistance in both the financial side and organizational side of this issue. Having this concrete stockpiled near the danger points on the North Bank of the Platte River is an excellent example of cooperation between several levels of government to be prepared for future flooding problems on the river.

A payment of $6,000 is on bill pending per August 11th, 2025 Board meeting motion: "Johnson, J. made the motion, seconded by Saalfeld, to approve cost-share of 40% up to $6,000 for purchasing, hauling, and stockpiling concrete near the Cotterell dike for potential future emergency flood reduction purposes. Motion carried on consent agenda."

Rationale:  SCWIG is planning to meet on July 7th, 10:00am, at the Columbus NRCS office.

We will need to order more polo shirts for SWCS conference attendees and monitoring students.  We are currently compiling quantities and sizes and would like a few extras on hand for cooperators.  Last time we placed an order for 12 shirts and they were $25 each.  We have 14 people registered for the SWCS conference.

Rationale:  Bill Bos submitted paperwork for two completed septic system upgrades: 
Colfax county: Elgin Bergt - 60% cost-share = $9,699.42
Platte county: Mary Kay Wilke - 60% cost-share = $8,897.02

 

Rationale:  Construction update for the month:

• TCI poured concrete trash rack inlet on 26A and installed port.  They are also fabricating baffle top sections for 26A&B which will be installed this month.  They poured the 3rd and 4th sections of riser on 26B.
• Shanahan finished embankment fill for 26A and is finishing up with top dressing and grading back slope.  There is a little bit of riprap left to be placed on the front slope around the riser and inlet.
• Shanahan should finish up with foundation drains on 26B within the first week of July

TCI invoice attached

Rationale:  A motion will be coming out of Executive Committee regarding a request for bids on the next WCW sites.  There are funding questions remaining from NRCS that could determine our path forward.

Rationale:  We received our DWEE permits to impound water and construct the dam for Site 55 on 6/30.
Olsson has both sites 77 & 84 at DWEE for permitting approval.  They expect to have permits by mid-August.
Our 404 permit from the ACOE is under review and is expected to have a determination by end of July.
Our 401 permit through DWEE is also under review and expected by the end of the month.
An application was submitted to Saunders County for conditional use and floodplain work for sites 55, 77 & 84.  Staff will be present at the next Saunders Co Planning/Zoning meeting to discuss.

Rationale:  Updates on remaining acquisitions for 66 & 86.

Rationale:  The District received an additional $910,000 of NRCS-WFPO grant funds that will almost cover remaining construction costs for the first three structures.
On 6/30 LPNNRD staff gave Jesse Bradley and Matt Manning, of DWEE, a tour of WCW Sites 26A&B, 27.  They appreciated seeing actual field work being completed that is tied to funding that DWEE is providing.  Staff made sure to express our gratitude towards Jesse and Matt being great partners.

Rationale:  Our Wahoo Creek Watershed 319 Project Implementation Plan was revised and sent back to DWEE on April 23rd.  DWEE approved it on June 30th and send it to EPA for review.  EPA has 90 days to review.
 

Rationale:  The bi-annual meeting happened on Thursday June 18th at Platte River State Park.  It was a very long meeting with lots of discussion centered around member updates, the water quality trend analysis, potential tour, and potential coordinator.

• Trend analysis is expected to be released later this year.  Multiple trends were discussed with the majority of them being good news = water quality is getting better.
• Logistics for a potential bus tour is being put together.  September 11th and September 18th were potential dates offered that may work well for state senators.
• Coordinator position was discussed with the guard covering 50%.

A letter will go out soon to entities in the corridor letting them know that they can apply for 319 grant funds utilizing the Alliance's water quality management plan.  LPN can apply for funding individually or in partnership with any or all Alliance members.  Funding is applicable to anything we can attribute to water quality impairments.  Staff have discussed septic upgrades and other practices that we incentivize in Shell Creek.

Rationale:  State NRCS staff finalized the PIFR (Preliminary Investigation and Feasibility Report) and sent it to National Headquarters in June.  The PIFR is available on our website along with the 1985 Skull Creek Watershed Study and 1981 Bone Creek Watershed Plan.  The next step is a two to three-year process of completing a Watershed Plan-Environemntal Assessment which the District is budgeting to fund with district funds.  Staff have prepared a draft RFP and we are ready to go to bid any time.  Timing will depend upon WCW construction RFP and Cottonwood 21-a final design and engineering RFP.  More discussion and a decision on timing is expected in Executive Committee.
Total procurement is a two month process.

Rationale:  Mainelli Wagner is working on finalizing the alignment.  Brandon is working on acquiring contours from the drone survey for us to share with landowners.  Invoice attached.

Rationale:  Handouts will be available to view while we discuss the FY27 budget.