May 11, 2015 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:  Attached find Mountford's report from NRD/NARD Employee Benefits Committee and Intergovernmental Risk Management Pool Association Loss Control Committee Meeting.

Rationale:  The GMDA Summer Meeting is scheduled for June 10-12 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  Advanced registration is due before May 25th.  

Rationale:  Attached find Don Kavan's excuse of absence from the March Board Meeting.  No action needed.

Rationale:  Weaver arranged meetings with our congressional delegation on April 16.  Those attending included Miyoshi, Glenn Johnson, John Winkler, Marlin Peterman and Meghan Sittler.  Discussion centered on major projects within the three NRDs and the Lower Platte River Watershed Authority.  The monthly conference call will be held after the first of the month.

Rationale:  George Hunt will give a presentation on WOTUS (Waters of the United States) at the May 11 board meeting.

Rationale:  No new information.

Rationale:  Attached to the Executive Committee Minutes find the minutes and annual finial report from the Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (NHCC) annual meeting that was held on April 9.

Rationale: 

NARD is asking if our board is interested in an NET Program that looks at the history and accomplishments of the NRDs?  

NARD is not asking for the money at this time.  Rather they want to know if our district is willing to participate at around $3,000/district. Another factor in the cost per district is how many are willing to participate.

NARD will not take final action on this until the June NARD Board meeting.  By then, they will have a firm budget from NET and hopefully an idea of how many districts are willing to participate financially.  

In discussion with NET, the hour long program would be aired several times in the first month and once a month for the rest of the year.  Production could begin in July, with air time in early 2016.  The program would also be available on the NET website.

Do we support this project and are we willing to budget $3,000 to carry it out? 

 

Rationale:  May is the month we review and make adjustments to our Salary Ranges.  The midpoint (100%) is taken from the State Salary Survey and our ranges are then set at 80%-120% (20% below and above the mid-point).  

Breunig has put together two spreadsheets, the first with actual numbers and the second buffered with a maximum change (up or down) of 10%.  In the past the buffered spreadsheet has worked the best for us to eliminate wide swings in the mid-points.

Rationale:  There is one CREP payment for Larry Bruhn, Platte County on 4.7 acres.  Payment amount is $77.08.  This contract expires in May 2017.

Rationale:  The O & M crew cut out many old stumps at Czechland Lake, helped with a prescribed burn on the Pheasants Forever tract on the Wanahoo area, bagged and delivered trees and now have started planting, installed a gate for David Lichtig on Sand/Duck Creek Dam15 and dug out a beaver dam below Sand/Duck Creek Dam 13.

Rationale:  The new SRA Superintendent, Jason Gabel started the week of April 20.  He is looking forward to running the Wanahoo Rec Site.  The shower house is operational.
The Run-A-Hoo at Wanahoo 5K run was a success earning almost $3,000 for the NARD Foundation. The group will develop a organizational committee for upcoming 5K runs at other NRD recreational areas.  We may have another run at Wanahoo in 3-4 years.

Rationale:  Olsson Associates sent an invoice for instrument monitoring on the Wanahoo Dam for $838.50 in accordance with an Agreement dated July, 2011.

Rationale:  The Zepplin Farms (Sean McFadden owner) dam renovation which is above Bellwood 5-H is completed.  Jamie Yendrick (tenant) has submitted the invoice for the pipe and hardware at $1,658.29. This was previously approved by the Board in March. A copy of the paid invoice and two pictures are available.  Staff will inspect the site in the near future.

Rationale:  JEO has sent in the final invoice $5,060 on the oversight of the Czechland Lake Improvements Project. The contract was worth $15,000.  This bill will be paid to complete the services on this project.

Rationale:  Staff is considering posting signs at our three recreation areas for disturbance and vandalism issues.  As many as six sign could be made such as; For Disturbance/Vandalism Issues call Saunders County Sheriff, 402-443-1000.  Two of the six would be printed for Butler County for Homestead Lake.

Rationale:  David Marshall is requesting cost share assistance on Platte River bank stabilization in Colfax County.  He submitted a bill for $1,820 for bank lining.  The District can assist at $910, staff has inspected the site and the fiscal year is nearing the end.

Rationale:  We have been running ads on the Run-A-Hoo event and promotional ads for outdoor recreation areas and the pier improvements at Czechland Lake. 

Rationale: 

The district will hold its annual Recognition Banquet on Sunday, June 7 at Czechland Lake Recreation Area. The schedule will be:

• 5 pm - Social Hour
• 6 pm - Dinner
• 7 pm - Awards 

Invitations will start going out in the next few days. 

Rationale:  The Viaduct newsletter was distributed in print and electronically in the first week of April. The print version was folded incorrectly (the wrong page was facing out), so the printer has waived folding charges for this issue. 

Rationale:  Soil & Water Stewardship Week is being observed now through May 3. Thanks to all directors and staff who helped deliver materials earlier this month. 

Rationale:  The Spring Conservation Sensation will be held next Wednesday (May 6) at Czechland Lake. 387 students are registered and FFA students from David City will be group leaders. Directors are always welcome to attend, either to volunteer or just to watch the activities. 

This year we are trying a new program from WasteCap Nebraska called "GoZero". Instead of trash cans, we will have popup tents with separate openings for recycling, composting and landfill material. Students will sort their trash from lunch with the goal of diverting as much material from the landfill as possible. 

Rationale:  The Raymond Central land judging team that qualified for state at our East Central contest last fall also qualified for national competition in Oklahoma this May. Their teacher contacted us to inquire if we would help fund their trip, which he estimates will cost a total of $1,000. Lower Platte South NRD has agreed to provide $500.

Rationale:  Thompson will be working with Katie Pekarek, UNL Extension, on a pilot project to put together a "Watershed Education Campaign Toolbox," with Shell Creek as the focus. The intention is to develop something that could be broadly used by NRDs to help educate their residents about current water issues and projects. 

Rationale:  We were contacted by eSwype, a company contracted by the major credit card processing firms to provide online payment and virtual terminal services. They prepared a pricing summary that shows we could potentially save 30% of the fees we currently pay to offer online payment. Staff will be looking into this further.

Rationale: 
- April water samples passed
- Read Colon & Bruno meters and sent bills to customers
- New customer has been added to system and sent first billing
- Located water lines for 2 digger's hotline requests
- Resolving two meter radio transmitter issues - Colon

Rationale:  Variance Request Penalty for Violation of LPNNRD R&R.  This would apply to the ranking criteria and the issuance for new irrigated acres.  Need to establish a policy on this.  Options that were previous discussed included:

• 50 points per acre
• points removed per type of violation, whole field vs. corner
• 1st time violation given just warning
• penalty by subarea
• one, two, or three year suspension, which could be based on number of acres per that violation.

Staff recommendation is the last one.

Committee members discussed this and would like more details on the last point and examples from the Republican NRD's.  

Rationale:  The district received two applications in the HCA totaling 40 acres.

Rationale:  The district received one application in the NHCA totaling 164 acres.

Rationale:  Wells Permits Approved: 4

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea
Rainier Resource Holdings 1,  LLC	2	0	Replacement	Saunders	Todd Valley
Samson Inc.	1	0	Replacement	Platte	Lower Shell Creek
242 Riversedge LLC	1	0	Replacement	Dodge	North Bend

The total number of approved permits for 2015 is 25


Location of Approved Well Permits for 2015:  Correct as of 4/29/2015

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler	1	2	0	0	0	0	3
Colfax	1	2	0	0	0	0	3
Dodge	3	3	0	0	0	0	6
Boone	0	2	0	0	0	0	2
Madison	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Platte	3	2	0	0	0	0	5
Saunders	3	2	0	1	0	0	6
Total	11	13	0	1	0	0	25

Rationale:  KWEA LLC is requesting a modification to replacement well permit # LPN-009-1077.  The well is located in the SW 1/4 NE 1/4 1-17-7E in Dodge County (North Bend Subarea).  The permit was approved to replace LPN-007-967 (G-147448), which began pumping sand after one year.  The replacement well was drilled in June of 2009 and it has begun to lose yield.  The original well has not been decommissioned as require by State law and the hole has remained idle for the last 4 years.  KWEA LLC is asking to put a pump down the original well and pump all three wells, in a series, at a lower rate to supply the 324.23 irrigated acres.  All three wells are in the North Bend subarea.  The permit in question and a map of the section are attached.

If granted, the well permit for LPN-009-1077 would be modify from a replacement to a supplemental well permit and the well permit LPN-007-967 would be allowed to be on active status.

Rationale:  Ryan Loseke has applied for a new livestock well in the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 36-T19N-R1E in the Platte Center subarea and the Platte-Colfax SQS area in Platte County.  The well will serve an average of 3500 head of feeder cattle with a permitting limit of up to 4500 head.  The lot was originally permitted for 2500, but was expanded in 2013 to service 4500 head of cattle.  The new well will provide water to the entire operation and is estimated to pump ~13,000,000 gallons annually.  No offset was offered.


Doing the math:
-  13,000,000 gallons / 325,851 gallons per acre foot = ~40 acre feet
-  40 acre feet * 12 inches per foot = 480 acre inches
-  if net corn crop irrigation requirement is 8 inches per acre
-  then 480 acre inches / 8 inches per acre = 60 acres of irrigation

Rationale:  Todd Mueller would like to transfer 17.9 certified irrigated acres

Transferred From:
Field A: S1/2 NW 1/4 29-18-1E Platte County; Lower Shell Creek Subarea

Transferred To:
Field B: 5.4 acres; SE 1/4 SE 1/4 30-18-1E Platte County; Lower Shell Creek Subarea
Field C: 5.3 acres; SW 1/4 SE 1/4 30-18-1E Platte County; Lower Shell Creek Subarea
Field D: 7.2 acres; NWW 1/4 SW 1/4 30-18-1E Platte County; Lower Shell Creek Subarea

Rationale: 

Six information packets for SQS #1 (Butler-Saunders) were sent by “certified mail” for the final educational class.  Three producers attended the April 15^th class, held in the LPNNRD Board Room.  One requirement for the Butler - Saunders SQS area is that flow meters need to be installed by May 1, 2015.  Staff will start making well site visits in mid May.  

Rationale:  The last managers meeting was held on April 28, 2015 at LPSNRD and John Miyoshi attended. 

The next technical meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2015 in Ord NE at the LLNRD.

The second Basin Water Banking Workshop has been set for Thursday, June 18, 2015 starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Central Community College - Columbus.

Rationale:  The last stakeholders meeting was held on April 7, 2015 at our office.  The Goals and Objectives have been finalized and will be discussed at the next Coordination meeting scheduled for May 5th at 10:00 am.  The Goals and Objectives are attached, as well as the meeting minutes.

The next step is writing the Plan for the V-IMP.

We have received an invoice from Olsson Associates for services rendered for our V-IMP to April 16, 2015.  This is part of our contract with Olsson Assoc. and doesn't need Committee approval but will be voted on by the Board under 'bills pending'.

Rationale: 

No new kit requests received since the last committee meeting.  Kits will be mailed in June, before the start of the irrigation season.

Rationale: 

Eighteen producers have submitted an Order for this cost share program (spreadsheet is attached).

LPNNRD’s cost share portion is $1,533.00 (32%) with the producer portion $3,199.00 (68%).  Aaron Nygren, UNL Extension Educator in Colfax County, and Oaklund have been coordinating for the order. Upon approval Order will be placed.  Our goal for 2015 participation in this cost share program was twenty producers.

Rationale: 

2015 is the thirteenth year for this Phase 2 Area.  This area has been reduced from 32 sections to 21 sections.

Rationale: 

2015 is the twelfth year of this Phase 2 Area.  The 55 sections of this area will go into a Phase 3 Area September 1, 2015.  Also effective September 1, 2015, the ten sections immediately north of this area will become a Phase 2 Area.  These sections are:  Township 18 North, Range 2 East, sections 31 to 36; Township 18 North, Range 3 East, sections 31 to 34.

An information meeting will be held in mid summer concerning the Richland - Schuyler Phase area.  

Rationale: 

There have been three more on-line test requests since the last committee meeting.  Two of these have completed the test and a certification card was mailed. 

Cert Number	Cert date	Name	Re-cert	Comments
6517	4/22/2015	Chad Reeves	No	first-time
6518	4/22/2015	Cole Wojtalewicz	No	first-time

 

Rationale: 

For 2014 we had a current total of 463 chemigation permits.  Renewal letters were mailed out in late March and so far we have received 202 renewals and 11 new permit applications.  In addition, we have received notice that 13 permits will be cancelled.  Reminder letters will be mailed in early May to those who have not renewed.  Renewal fee is $30 and the deadline is June 1st.

Rationale:  No new livestock permit applications from DEQ since the last Water Committee meeting.

Rationale:  One new well has been reviewed and approved by Gottschalk for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.








See attached spreadsheet.

Rationale:  No wells have been plugged, reviewed, or ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County

Rationale:  No new updates.

Rationale:  Flights over eastern Nebraska have been completed.  Final report expected by late July of this year.

Rationale:  Future Potential Ground Water Studies:

1. Deep Test Holes and Monitoring Wells, this is carryover from present fiscal year / $60,000
2. AEM flights over our SQS areas, dependent on getting grant funding
3. Ground Water elevation model of Wann Basin subarea, tracking contaminate plumes from Former Ordnance Plant near Mead.
4. Delineation of Tile Drains in LPNNRD, ground water inputs to streams / ~$30,000 for GIS work to $50,000 if include in-field work such as drone flights
5. Update of Farm Process Model near Ashland NE, previous study completed 3 years ago. / $11,160 each year for 3 years.

On a related note, the Water Department would like to fund a master database for the District, which has already been delayed for two years.

Rationale:  Due to the heavy schedule for the drilling of test holes in Nebraska, C&SD has delayed the drilling of our test holes until later in the summer.  Therefore, most of the NRD funding set aside for test hole drilling in the current fiscal year will not be spent.

A Level Troll 500 data logger has been sent to In-Situ for their review/evaluation of the water level sensor.  An older data logger (Troll 4000, purchased in 1998) has been sent to In-Situ for trade-in of a Level Troll 500 (attached is Sales Quote which includes the 15% discount).  The Troll 4000 is obsolete and is no longer repaired.

Rationale: 

Staff finished collecting the Spring readings in mid-April.  Subareas of concern for potential “Level” change:  David City (Uplands), Prague (Uplands), Octavia (Platte Valley), and Fremont East (Platte Valley).  The higher water levels in these subareas will make any ‘level’ change unnecessary for this year.  The Prague subarea continues to be the one of most concern.  Ground Water Level Summary Comparison of Spring 2014 to Spring 2015 is attached.

 

Rationale:  We received an invoice from USGS for $5,250.00 for water quality monitoring on Shell Creek north of Columbus.

Need motion to approve.

Rationale:  Precipitation patterns across the District were highly variable, not just in location but over the course of the year.  While it was a wet year in Saunders County, it was near normal near Bellwood, and even below normal at Lindsay.  Lindsay had approximately 23 inches for the year, while normal is closer to 28 inches.  See attached maps and report.

Rationale:  Last call for the GMDA Summer Session in Coeur d'Alene Idaho on June 10-11, 2015.  Conference registration and agenda is attached.

Rationale:  The three summer interns are expected to start in mid-May.

Rationale:  Melissa Konecky asked about posting of the Water Committee agenda and ground water energy levels (GWEL).  The GWEL will need to be updated on our webpage.

Rationale:  Gottschalk reviewed the SWCP spreadsheet as attached to the Projects Committee Minutues.

Rationale:  SUMMER APPROVAL:
David & Cynthia Hartman Skull Creek Watershed Terraces/Tile $ 9,599 25% EQIP
Maryland Novacek Butler County Cropland to grass $ 2,436.60 75%

Rationale:  14-B-42 Walter Bohaty Flow Meter $    625.00
14-D-49 Gary Mintken Diversion/Waterway $ 2,386.32

Rationale:  We are compiling our SWCP cancellations and will have them for our next Projects committee.

Rationale:  Thomas Kloser Terraces/Tile $ 4,257.44
Shanahan Family Tr. Terraces/Tile $ 4,252.71

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  There has been much time spent with Shell Creek business the last few weeks.  These activities included receiving new grants for watershed activities, discussing and planning use of old grant funds, planning SCWIG's future as LPNNRD's advisory subcommittee and discussions about hiring former Schuyler teacher Tom Wheelson to assist other schools with sampling programs.  

It appears that the transition of SCWIG's old Environmental trust grant to LPNNRD will need to occur around September.  At that time SCWIG and LPNNRD will need to adopt SCWIG's new operating procedures as they become strictly our advisory group for the watershed.

Rationale:  The Shell Creek Watershed Environmental Enhancement Plan is still being reviewed by EPA. 

Rationale:  The Nebraska Environmental Trust has officially awarded a $155,000 grant for the Shell Creek Watershed.      Mountford attended an award seminar and ceremony on April 10.   Attached are grant documents that were signed and returned on April 27. This grant companies  a $50,000 NDEQ grant that was awarded last fall. 

Rationale:  Staff will meet with JEO and NDEQ on May 1 to review and give finial input to the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan Phase I report.  After NDEQ completes their review, it will be forwarded to EPA for comment. 

Attached is a $15,725 invoice and update from JEO for work completed under contract. 
Total contract: $120,000
Contact completed: $89,025 (74%)
Contact remaining: $30,975 (16%)

Rationale: 

Meghan was present to discuss Alliance business.  She is putting together various project invoices that will be presented at the May 28th Projects Committee Meeting along with the proposed FY 2015-16 budget discussion. At the Alliance 9:00 a.m. meeting at LPSNRD on May 7, the partners will discuss details for the upcoming Alliance budget.  One major topic will be whether or not to continue with the Obstruction Removal Project near Two Rivers State Park.  LPNNRD has already voiced that we do not support this project.  LPNNRD Directors are encouraged to attend and give input at the May 7th meeting.

Rationale:  As reported earlier, activities on the Shell Creek levee are wrapping up and the focus is on the future of the Platte River levee.  A final walk through took place last week. It appears that Schuyler is eventuating whether or not to proceed with finishing 30% design of this potential project because of the Army COE's preferred levee alignment (which is not the City's desired alignment) and the estimated high cost of construction.   The Army COE is scheduled to meet with the City on May 12 to answer questions and discuss future plans.  

The Army COE is also planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Shell Creek levee, possibly the week of May 18.

Rationale:  Survey information has been completed by the Engineer and the next step will be to complete the no-rise certificate for Schuyler's approval.  

Rationale:  Attached is JEO's $4,322 invoice and update for work completed under contract on our All Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Total Contract: $126,000
Contract Complete: $78,822 (63%)
Contract Remaining: $30,975 (37%)

Rationale:  Miyoshi and Mountford attended a informational meeting on April 3rd between the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and Fremont city staff regarding a potential project to purchase identified repetitive loss properties in flood prone areas.  Presently there are 16 properties identified in the repetitive loss category of which four are listed as severe. Depending on the loss severity, 75% to 100% of the appraised property value can be offered to willing homeowners for buyout and removal from the floodplain.  It is unknown how interested Fremont is in participating, but we have been identified as a potential partner for this voluntary buyout program. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., May 8, at the Fremont City Office Chambers.  

Rationale:  Directors Olson, Kavan and Hilger and Assistant Manager Mountford attended the annual Local Working Group meeting at LPNNRD on April 30.  Information and priorities for the  FY 2016 federal program funds were discussed. It is anticipated that $1.3 to $1.4 million will be available in LPNNRD for new EQIP contracts. 

Rationale:  Platte Center is making plans to move forward with their Elm Creek Bank stabilization project.  They will be prioritizing the most erosive areas and report back to the Projects Committee.   We have $6,750 budgeted to assist them this fiscal year.

Rationale:  Warranty work and re-seeding is taking place this week.

Rationale: 

• Segment 4B 
• Contractor is placing topsoil on the project 

• Segment 5 
• Placing of the mat continues
• Estimated completion date is May 25  

A tour of the WS/CC Project occurred after the Projects Committee Meeting.  

Rationale: 

SWCP PAYMENTS:

Dennis Prochaska 595 Trees $600.95

Ann Olmer Flow Meter $567.50

  Total $1,168.45

Rationale:  The GMDA planning group is traveling to Sacramento June 17 to 19 to make arrangements for the January 2016 conference.  The focus is on tour arrangements, and final plans for the selected speakers.  We hope to also visit Tim Quinn of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and perhaps the governor’s office.  The GMDA planning group is Larry Angle, Ehrman - LPS, Marie Krausnick – UBB, and Jim Bendfeldt – CP.  The question is: would LPN pay my expenses for such a trip to Sacramento?  This is one week after the GMDA meeting in Coeur d’Arlene Idaho. 

Rationale: 

Well Permit LPN-013-1397 for a replacement well for G-109448 was approved 3/11/2013.  The well was drilled 10/10/2013 and registered 10/16/2013 by Grosch Irrigation Company, Albion, NE.  To be in compliance with Nebraska Law for a replacement well the original well would have to be decommissioned within 180 days of the construction of the replacement well.  The original well was not decommissioned within the 180 day time frame (see Attachment – letter from the Department of Natural Resources with copy of the NOTICE OF WATER WELL DECOMMISSIONING on the backside).  For the 2013 well to be legal, Well Permit LPN-013-1397 will need to be amended (4.A. from replacement well to a new well), a Water Well Modification form completed, and both of these sent to the Department of Natural Resources.”

 

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.