October 12, 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:  An update on the Morse Bluff Project.

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

Rationale:  Attached find absence requests from Directors Bailey and Yosten:

July - Bailey - Irrigation not going well unsafe to leave
August - Bailey - Family Business hosted customer appreciation 
July - Yosten - Irrigating
August - Yosten - Hauling corn to Columbus, stuck in 

Rationale:  Management submitted Lower Platte North NRD's FY '27 approved budget to the State of Nebraska last week and ahead of the September 30th deadline.  I would like to thank the directors and staff for their input and work on the preparation developing the budget while once again, maintaining a level tax asking for the 11th straight year.

Rationale:  We continue to work with NDOT and M.E. Collins to install access drive off Hwy 109.

Rationale: 

Staff has continued developing concepts for improvements to the detention basin located in front of the NRD office. The project is included in the District’s recently approved Wahoo Creek Section 319 grant, which includes up to $100,000 for detention basin improvements. A draft design-build RFP has been prepared that could address drainage improvements, landscaping/water quality features, an educational boardwalk and observation area, and interpretive signage.

Staff will review the draft concept and RFP with the Committee and is seeking guidance on the project scope and whether to continue toward soliciting proposals. No action to advertise the RFP is necessary at this time, and the item could be brought back to the Committee and Board in October if additional discussion is desired.

Rationale:  The public information request form has been updated. The update includes clarification around fee requirements for staff time, a signature section, and has been made as a fillable PDF. See Attached. 

Rationale:  Our November Board Meeting is Monday, November 9th. We are working Schuyler High School on the logistics. 

Rationale:  Dean Edson informed the NARD Board of Directors at yesterday's meeting he will be retiring 1/1/27.  NARD has an accepted procedure moving forward on hiring Dean's successor.

Rationale:  Daryl Andersen has informed management he now has a set retirement date.  Daryl's last day of employment with Lower Platte North NRD will be Friday, December 11, 2026.

As this date approaches, plans will be made to host an open house honoring Daryl's time dedicated to LPNNRD.  Daryl's knowledge and experience will not be easily replaced and his leadership and vision of our Water Department will truly be missed.  Lower Platte North NRD is definitely better off today because of the professionalism, commitment and leadership Daryl has provided over the years.


 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  After being hired as LPN Water Technician, Aurora Alvarez is now performing the additional responsibilities of Water Specialist, thus, it is the recommendation of management to promote Ms. Alvarez to Water Specialist 1 with an annual salary increase of $5,000.

Rationale:  Grant will be available to discuss the August Financial Report. We will not approve the financial statement until after we receive our Annual Audit.

Rationale:  Nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale: 

This spring, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission launched the Managed Access Program (MAP)—a new, reservation-based approach that gives landowners greater control over how and when hunters access their property.

With MAP, landowners can customize access to fit their needs, including:

• Days open for hunter reservations
• Target species
• Legal weapon types
• Other property-specific preferences

Hunters simply register through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website and receive a reservation permission slip specific to the property and the landowner’s preferences. Landowners and property managers are notified of reservations by email, helping keep everyone informed while maintaining control over access.

It’s a simple way to provide quality hunting opportunities while maintaining control of your property—and potentially earning additional income. Check out the website and attached info for more information.  Or you're welcome to reach out directly.

Rationale:  The O & M staff have finished the mowing circuit. We continue to spray and cut invasive trees when the weather permits. Maintenance of equipment and vehicles.

Rationale:  The public meeting held in Malmo for the Flood Reduction Structure 21-A had a very good turn out and came across as positive by the public.
The Engineering Services RFP is out for the final rehabilitation design of Cottonwood 21-A and is scheduled to be due on October 16. We could use director volunteers the week of October 19th - 23rd to review engineer design proposals to assist in choosing a firm. Please contact the office if you would like to assist.

Rationale:  We are still communicating through NEMA to see what FEMA needs after their legal review of the scope to proceed with the repairs to the Wanahoo Dam & property. Houston is also assisting with the estimated cost for mitigation work. They need to separate mitigation repairs from ordinary repairs.
 

Rationale:  Staff has reached out to five contractors to ask for bids to construct a new driveway entrance for a new ingress/egress easement to Sand/Duck Creek 16. Bids are due Wednesday, October 7th. Staff will select the most reasonable bid and announce it at the October Board meeting.
We received two bids. Krivanek Construction $9,285.00 and Girmus Dirt Works $12,360.00. Both bids, item wise, are equal. Staff will offer the job to Krivanek Construction.

Rationale:  Elkhorn Valley Trails Inc. may have bids for the FEVR Trail Project by the committee meeting. If not, it will wait until next month.
At one time, the board mentioned funding the renovation of a bridge(s). Attached are pictures of two bridges. One is over Rawhide Ditch 8 and the other crosses the Co. Rd S ditch. Both are similar in size. 

Rationale:  Clear Creek D & D is concerned about Platte River bank erosion near the toe of the levee on the north end. The Corps of Engineers River & Reservoir Engineering Section came out to take a look. They gave us advice on the type of rock revetment to use and provided a diagram. The project will require Type "C" rock to line the bank and levee for approximately 200'. (See aerial attached).
This area is adjacent to the start of the MUD well fields. Staff has contacted MUD and are waiting for a response whether they will assist in the project. We may need to hire an engineer to submit a 408 permit application. Since the Clear Creek Levee is a federal levee, anytime improvements or alterations need to be made to a federal project, a 408 permit is required.

Rationale:  Our new No-Till Grass Drill is in and will be delivered to Rezac Seed here in Saunders Co. We will need to advertise and sell the old drill. We will post it on our website and social media outlets.
Staff will get a cost to have two covers made for the two new grass drills.

Rationale:  We received an invoice for $8,000 from Seth McGinn for maintenance work on his jetties on the Platte River in Dodge Co. This is a continuation of work from last Fall. Cost share for the project is 50% or $4,000.

Rationale:  For the month of August, the District received $4,776.00 in park permit revenue.

Rationale:  For the month of August, the District received $13,414.11 in camping revenue.

Rationale:  The decision was made to purchase benches for the new fire pit area behind the Education Building in order to take advantage of a sizable discount on shipping.  Four benches were purchased at $1,327.00 each.  The cost to ship these on their own is $3,180.00, but by combining with another order, the District saved $2,680.00.  It is the intention of the District to allow these benches to be purchased by the public as memorials.  A spec sheet and copy of the quote have been attached for viewing.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 18 times in September, with 3 NRD events. Revenue for the month was $2,075.
Sabatka had 59 building inquiries via email and phone during September. 

Rationale:  KTIC Radio Ads air on KTIC AM 840/98.3/98.7 and 107.9 The Bull. These 30-second messages air 12 times weekly along with a website display ad and Marketplace listing on KTICRadio.com. 
 
KTIC radio ads schedule
September: no-till drills available to rent with pricing
October: Annual well water testing/November trainings for ProducerConnect

Rationale:  Targeted digital display ad schedule
September-October: Environmental education opportunities
October-November 15: Natural Resources Grant for High School Students

Targeted digital display ads are banner ads delivered across multiple sites and apps. Below are just some of the sites these ads are shown on:
• News sites (Fox News, USA Today, NY Post)
• Local TV sites (KETV, WOWT)
• Apps (Newsbreak, Crossword)
**Only if you match the targeted area: 36 zip codes covering LPN district. A map of this area is also attached.

Rationale:  Top Posts for Facebook and X during September included:
• Cottonwood 21-A Draft Supplemental Watershed Plan meeting (4 posts, 7,404 total reach on Facebook and 177 on X)
• Green Thumb Gathering (3 posts, 1,390 total reach on Facebook and 107 on X)
• Bees and Brews event flyer
• RFPs available at lpnnrd.org/downloads
• Natural Resources Grant flyer - November deadline

Total posts for the month: 26
Total reach for the month: 13,781
Facebook followers: 1,928 (up 18)
X followers: 432 (up 3)

On the LPNNRD website, top pages (besides the home page)
• Lake Wanahoo (1,402 views)
• Downloads (433)
• Education (384)
• Watersheds & Flood Damage Reduction (358)
• Czechland Lake (284)

Traffic from other sites directed to LPNNRD.org
• Facebook (244)
• NARD (27)
• Visit Nebraska (6)
• X (1)
 

Rationale: 

• September 8th: Mead Seniors at Lake Wanahoo (15), NRD system overview/Lake Wanahoo History/played disk golf
• September 10th: Coffee Lakeside: Leaves (15)
• September 16th: Green Thumb Gathering (30) Great Plains Nursery Educational talk on trees; plant swap and bingo. 
• September 18th: HAL Wahoo Elementary/MS (6) Pollination
• September 23rd: St. Wencelsaus - Water and You (16) 
• September 28th: Survival Club initial meeting (22)
• September 29th: Fremont Middle School Outdoor Day (70) got through 2.5 sessions, and it was canceled due to weather.

Rationale: 

• October 7th: Land Judging Contest
• October 13th: Wahoo 3rd grade field trip
• October 14th: Seed Collecting Event 
• October 20th: Rescheduled Coffee Lakeside
• October 21st: Bees and Brews

 

Rationale:  Staff completed a new customer hook-up along the rural line of the Colon RWD on 9/23.
Routine sampling completed, meters read, bills mailed 9/30.

Rationale:  Routine sampling completed, meters read, bills mailed 9/30.

Rationale:  The NRD has advertised for Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for the purpose of developing a comprehensive plan to develop a rural water district serving Malmo/and or Prague, along with rural residential connections.  The plan development will be 100% grant funded through DWEE's State Revolving Fund tied to EPA's emerging contaminant funding.  The emerging contaminants targeted for Malmo and Prague are PFAS (Polyflourol allyls) and Manganese, respectively.
On September 16, Elliott spoke at the Village of Prague's Board meeting detailing the NRD's plan to develop the comprehensive RWD plan including Prague and Malmo.  The Board was very receptive and acknowledged that, with the current state of their water treatment plant, they were leaning towards developing/connecting to a rural water district in the future.
Elliott made contact with the Village of Malmo to explain the plan moving forward and received confirmation that the Village is interested in cooperating with plan development.
We could use director volunteers the week of October 19th - 23rd to review engineer RFQ's and to interview engineering firms. Please contact the office if you would like to assist.

Rationale:  There are 12 variance applications for consideration in the Hydrologically Connected Area (HCA, blue area). Of these, 11 meet the 300 minimum score and qualify for approval, for a total of 647.63 acres and depletion of 70.24 AF (Acre Feet) of depletion. The HCA (blue) area is allowed 200 AF of depletion on an annual basis. The attached spreadsheet includes scoring, depletion and ranking for committee review.

Rationale:  Valley View Golf Course applied for a new well in S34-T17N-R8E—Saunders County. Attached is a map showing where this well would be drilled. 
The Committee felt that conditions should be set on this well because of the vicinity of the domestic wells.  If interference occurs, staff would contact the golf course for a solution as stated in the conditions. Well permit conditions attached below. 

Rationale:  The Nebraska ONE RED program was announced during Husker Harvest Days and provides incentives to help farmers try new technologies and participate in voluntary conservation and farm-management practices. To be eligible, farmers must be growing corn, soybeans, sorghum, or canola and have at least 80 cumulative acres in an eligible area, which includes:

• Wellhead protection/source water protection areas
• NRD Phase 2 areas or higher
• Certified groundwater irrigated acres
• Wahoo Creek NWQI area

Enrollment opens in October. NRD staff will be preparing communication materials to promote the program within the district. Attached is some promotional information from DWEE.

Rationale: 

For 2026 we have 4 renewals and 0 new permit applications for a current total of 4. Inspections for 26 new permits and 214 renewal permits have been completed.

Rationale:  RO Unit Cost Share
Julie Bideaux - 1 RO Unit & Well Registration - $1,091.92 & $240
Dean Novak - 2 RO Units - $2,400
Tyler Benal - 1 RO Unit - $1,200
Jeff Anderson - 1 RO Unit & Well Registration - $1,200 & $240

Our RO program requires application approval prior to purchase and installation of equipment. Tyler's application was received after purchase and installation of equipment. Tyler was unaware that the cost share was offered at 8ppm for a nitrate sample. As the states RO tax credit applications start at 10ppm. His wife was pregnant at the time, he was more concerned about clean water for his family rather than cost-share assistance. We recommend accepting his application as Tyler has provided all of the appropriate documentation. 

2026 Water Sampling Maps
Attached is a map of our 2026 statewide network nitrate sampling. Staff is working on additional maps that will be provided to the board. 

Water Sampling Kits
Nitrate result letters will be mailed next week to our phase area producers.

Rationale: 

There are two invoices from Spheros. One is the final invoice for the scoring sheets/quantity area project in the amount of $1,854. The second is an invoice for continued model construction and calibration of the SQS Groundwater Model in the amount of $10,102.25. 

Rationale:  The LPNNRD has $44,286.35 remaining in the WSF Grant, which provides a 60% cost share. Staff asked WSF for a scope change, which was granted on 9/29/2026.

With the scope change, LPNNRD is permitted to use grant funds to purchase vadose zone sampling equipment and to extend the reverse osmosis (RO) cost share throughout the district for water that tests above our cost share program's 8ppm nitrate requirement. 

Rationale:  Data was migrated from Phoenix to Longitude 103's HydroData and ProducerConnect software on 9/14/2026. There are many data issues, such as missing entities, phone numbers, incorrect water usage, and more. Longitude 103 proposed a re-migration of data to correct issues, which should occur 10/2/2026.
Staff have created a postcard, email, website landing page, job aid, and video to announce the changes and provide instructional material to help producers with reporting.

In-person training is planned for the following dates, times, and locations:

Date	Time	Location
11/10/2026	9:00 AM- 12:00 PM	Lake Wanahoo Education Building, Wahoo, NE
11/12/2026	10:00 AM- 2:00 PM	Schuyler Library, Schuyler, NE
11/16/2026	4:00 PM- 7:00 PM	Lake Wanahoo Education Building, Wahoo, NE
11/17/2026	3:00 PM- 6:00 PM	Ag Park, Columbus, NE
11/19/2026	1:00 PM- 4:00 PM	Dodge County Extension Office, Fremont, NE

Rationale:  In the July water committee, the committee asked staff to provide additional information on the inputs, outputs, and value of an AI model before progressing to RFQs and RFPs. 

Suggested Scope and Uses of AI Model:

• Estimate potential water use given climatic conditions
• Effects of current/future irrigation demand on groundwater levels
• Effects of adding one or more wells, particularly on well interference
• GUI/dashboard for the board and public

 Suggested inputs:

• Weather network data (precip, temp, ET)
• Monitoring well transducer records
• Spring/Fall water level measurements
• Flow meter readings
• Well construction/registration records
• Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) resistivity survey
  data
• Soil physical properties
• Land use, cover, slope
• Actual evapotranspiration

Suggested outputs:

• Groundwater-level response to pumping/recharge changes
• Streamflow response to pumping/recharge changes
• "Optimal" district-wide pumping/recharge balance
• Potential water use given climatic conditions (dry/wet year demand forecast)
• Effect of adding one or more new wells / well interference
• Interactive GUI to tweak parameters (dry/wet year, more/less pumping)
• Public/board-facing visual dashboard

Value of the AI Model:

• Utilization of existing data (weather, monitoring wells, AEM, etc...)- $20,000 annually
• Routine analysis (permits, scenarios, allocations)- $15,000 annually
• Risk mitigation(litigation)- $5,000 annually
• TOTAL- $40,000 anually

Rationale: 

 

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
UNL	I	$1,250	Saunders
Mehaffey Farns LLC	I	TBD	Dodge

 

Rationale: 

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

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County

 

Rationale:  This week's beach HAB and bacteria results are now posted on the DWEE web page (Current Health Alerts and Sampling Results For This Week). 
  
Big Indian (11A) and Cub Creek Lakes will remain on Health Alert. 
 
Wirth Brothers Lake has tested high for E. coli this week. 
 
There are 2 beaches on Health Alert this week.
  When a lake exceeds 8 ppb of microcystin it will be placed on Health Alert. If a lake is under a Health Alert, signs will be posted recommending people avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. 
There is 1 beach with E.coli testing above 235 colonies/100 ml.  When E. coli bacteria levels test above 235 colonies/100 ml a Health Alert is not issued. However, conditions are at a higher risk to human health when swimming. Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels. Although, we want people to be aware of beach conditions and use their own judgment as to whether they use a listed water body.
Well, another season of Beach Watch has come to an end.
 

Rationale:  Mark your calendars for the next Groundwater Management District Association (GMDA) conference, which will be held February 2-4, 2027 in Savannah, Georgia. It would be great to have a member of the water committee attend with staff. 

Rationale:  Staff are reviewing the Groundwater Management Area Rules and Regulations, and working on a draft with updates. Staff would like to dedicate some time to review the rules and regulations with the committee during each committee meeting, and schedule a Board of Director's Retreat in early 2027 to workshop the rules and regulations. Staff is seeking feedback on the order of topics to review, and a tentative date for a board of director's retreat. 

Key topics would include rules and regulations around:

• Groundwater quality
• Groundwater quantity
• Variances
• Well Permits
• Chemigations

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.

Rationale:  Shell Creek Cost-Share 

Chad Sander - Cover Crop 127 Acres - $3,653

A motion will be needed to pay Chad Sander $,3656 for his completed cover crop application. 

Rationale:  Through our ARPA agreement with the state, we were provided funds to purchase water quantity monitoring equipment to be used in Wellhead Protection Areas. This equipment is 100% reimbursable.

A motion will be needed to ratify purchasing water quantity monitoring equipment from In-Situ - $3,368.65. 

 

Rationale:  NARD is offering 55th Anniversary apparel to each District. Each District will order their own items and pay ArtFX screen printing directly. All apparel will be distributed at the Legislative Conference at the end of January. 

Management is suggesting a $50 stipend to any Director and staff toward the purchase of 55th Anniversary apparel. A motion would be needed at Board 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.