October 1, 2026 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Cotterell recently began the permitting process to armor a small section of the bank where substantial cutting is occurring.

Rationale:  On 9/11 a SCWIG meeting was held with attendees from SCWIG, NRD, DWEE, and NRCS present.
Discussion was had on adding remote cattle collars to our approved cost-share BMP list; assumed cost per collar was accepted at $100/collar, with 60% cost-share being approved and a cap at $4500 per applicant.
Christ Lutheran Church bank stabilization is waiting for November 1  to start tree removal with an expected completion of late winter - early spring.
With our new EPA 319 grant starting early next year we will plan a new round of mailings to advertise to homeowners/landowners within the watershed about applicable BMPs available for cost-share.

Rationale:  Bill Bos submitted paperwork for completed cover crop implementation:
 

Kail Lichtenfeld

Cover Crop (154ac)141ac

$4,614

$4,230

Rationale:  Bill Bos submitted an application for onsite wastewater system upgrade in Platte Co:

Lisa Henke

Onsite Wastewater

$10,200

Rationale:  Work completed for the month of September:

• TCI completed riser/inlet structure on Site 27
• Shanahan continued with embankment fill on 26B & 27
• Shanahan placed riprap on 26B
• Additional sand drain completed on 26A
• Shanahan performed final grading and installed diversion around plunge pool on 26A

Weather conditions during the month of September slowed progress and we expect a contract extension request from TCI to allow extra time to achieve "substantial completion" by mid to late fall.  Final completion (seeding) may not be achieved until spring 2027.
Substantial completion would allow for permit sign-off from DWEE Dam Safety; this will include final as-built embankment/auxiliary spillway survey and principal spillway appurtenances (gate valves) deemed functional.

TCI invoice attached.

Rationale:  Olsson expects final permits for WCW Sites 77 & 84 by mid October.
There has been significant interest from contractors for the next three sites; both sites have had over 10 "prime bidders" download plans from Olsson's Quest (contractor services bidding site) with additional subcontractors and suppliers also downloading plans.
Site visit will be October 14, and in order to have an eligible bid, contractors must be present for visit and meeting with NRD & Olsson.

Rationale:  Acquisition updates

Rationale:  The OneRed program website is now online and available to use to sign up for pre-enrollment. Producers who have signed up will be contacted in November to help them in the enrollment process. Attached are flyers for the program and a link to the website is provided below.

https://oneredag.com/

Rationale:  RFP was issued September 15 and proposals are due November 13th.

Rationale: 

Mainelli Wagner & Associates has been working through the engineering and design, and we now have preliminary plans for the project. Attached is an overview sheet showing the proposed improvements along the entire dike. Please keep in mind that these plans are still preliminary and may be refined as we work through landowner coordination, permitting, and final design.

The project generally consists of reconstructing and stabilizing the existing dike/berm, along with placement of rock riprap at several locations along the river side. The preliminary plans reflect a substantial amount of earthwork and rock placement along the project.

Permitting is also moving forward. Our application for authorization through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit program has been submitted. There are several other permits and approvals associated with the project that are also being addressed as the design moves forward.

We contacted affected landowners earlier this year to provide an initial notice of the project. Now that preliminary plans are available, we are preparing to begin the next round of individual landowner discussions. There are approximately 13 affected parcels. The NRD will need temporary construction easements as well as permanent easements allowing for future maintenance and repair of the dike. Danielle Allen with Olsson is assisting the NRD with the land rights and easement process and will be working with us to contact affected landowners. We will work individually with each landowner to review the proposed project, discuss how their property may be affected, and go over the easements that will be needed.

Our current goal is to begin construction this winter. Assuming permitting, land rights, weather, and construction proceed as anticipated, the project would be fully completed and revegetated by fall 2027. Areas disturbed by construction will be revegetated with native grasses.