September 14, 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: 

The UNL Rural Futures Conference is October 21-23 at Innovation Campus in Lincoln.  The purpose of the conference is to boost the quality of life in rural Nebraska. If you have never been exposed to UNL's Rural Futures Institute you are in for an eye opening and thought provoking experience.  Unfortunately this conference overlaps the Groundwater Foundation Conference.

Registration for the conference is $200.  Please let Jill know if you would like attend.

Rationale:  Attached find a draft agenda for the NARD Fall Conference - September 27-29, Kearney. Please let Breunig know if you are interested in attending.   

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  Weavers monthly conference call was held on Tuesday, September 8th at 1:00 p.m. His monthly report is attached for your review.

Rationale:  George Hunt will give a program on WOTUS (Waters of the United States).

Rationale: 

Attached  is our 2015-16 LARM Insurance renewal invoice based on the resolution that was approved last month.

Rationale:  Attached find a partial bill from HBE in the amount of $15,585 ($12,705 NRD and $2,880 Rural Water District) for work completed on our FY 15 Annual Audit.  Total cost of our Annual Audit is $20,780.  HBE plans on attending the October 2nd Committee Meeting to present the Annual Audit to the Executive Committee and Audit Sub-Committee.

Rationale: 

Chair Hannah  has asked for discussion on changing the day of the week and start time for the Executive Committee monthly meeting.  He would prefer moving Executive Committee to Thursday beginning after the Projects Committee meeting.

Consensus from the Executive Committee is to begin Projects Committee Meetings at 8:00 am on Thursdays followed by Executive Committee Meeting beginning at 9:30 am.

Rationale: 

Chair Hannah has asked for discussion on changing the day of the week we have board meeting.  His thoughts are the interruptions created by holidays and to accommodate those who want to plan a three day weekend.

After discussion the committee asked for input from other board members with the preferred date of the second Tuesday or second Thursday for each for our monthly board meetings of a date change is desired.  This item will be on our Director Retreat Agenda in February.

Rationale:  Wahoo has asked if we would allow them to place a "Wahoo" sign on the corner of our property near the new Expressway and County Road 17.  The sign is the old Wahoo Arrow that hung near the stoplight for decades.  Is there any reason we would not want to cooperate with the city on this?

Rationale: 

Last month we discussed the request from Yutan Fire and Rescue for assistance with a water rescue boat.  No action was taken, but in general the discussion questioned if we should be participating in this request.  Ed Hobza has visited with Tom and will be at our meeting to discuss this item.

John Winkler from Papio said his district has assisted in two separate requests for rescue boats and would consider assisting Yutan if LPNNRD did offer some funding.  Yutan has assisted with search and recoveries in the Elkhorn and Platte Rivers within Papio's boundaries.

Rationale: 

Dave Lickteig attended the Executive Committee meeting to discuss his property.  Lausterer was  also in attendance.

To go into Executive Session to discuss the Lickteig matter was moved by Pollard and seconded by Ruzicka with Lausterer, Miyoshi and Mountford included with those present.  All present voting aye.

To go out of Executive Session was moved by Ruzicka and seconded by Birkel.  All present voting aye.

This dam was originally designed to begin operation at this minus three foot elevation and as silting occured the water level would be raised in one foot increments to maximize the wetland values.  After construction of the first three dams the Corps announced that LPNNRD could operate all of the Upstream Dams at full conservation pool immediately if we so desired.  

Staff was directed to lower the water elevation in the Lickteig dam to three feet below full conservation pool, take pictures and report back at board meeting on where the water level is compared to the property line.

Rationale:  We have traditionally held the November Board Meeting in Newman Grove and had a presentation from the Newman Grove students on the Health of Shell Creek.  Do we wish to continue this tradition?

Rationale:  New DNR Director Jeff Fassett will be visiting our NRD on October 15 at 1:00 pm.  Any director who would like to meet Jeff is encouraged to attend.

Rationale: 

We are near completion with the installation of our two new board room projectors.  The new projectors replace the 50 inch TVs.  Our plan is to move one of the TVs to the conference room leaving the second TV as surplus.  The disposal plan is to take sealed bids on the 50" Panasonic TV.  

For information, plasma TV production ended in 2014.  Plasma gives superior color and clarity but is sensitive to external light and not meant for sunny or brightly lit rooms.

Rationale: 

Attached find a letter of resignation from Troy Thompson.  Troy's last day of work is September 4, he will begin his new job with Nebraska Educational Television on September 8.

Troy leaves a void for us in the Information and Education area but the real area of concern is his information Technology duties.  Troy kept our network and computer systems working and up to date.  He also was the one who made our change to paperless work.

We will need to fill his Information and Education position and will try to get a person who is IT literate, but it is very doubtful we will find such a person.

Rationale: 

Attached find a contract for Troy Thompson to provide information technology assistance to LPNNRD.  The contract outlines the work Thompson will do for LPNNRD.  

The first portion of the contract is to have Thompson preform the weekly and biweekly network upgrades, check that all virus and malware software is working correctly, check that all servers are preforming correctly, run cleanup wizards on the servers and recommend to management any suggestions to keep the network safe, reliable and current.  The cost for these services is $375 per month.

The second portion of the contract is to contract with Thompson for additional IT work as approved by management.  This work would be preformed at an hourly rate of $75 per hour and includes all travel and other expenses.

The contract may be modified, extended or terminated at any time by mutual written consent of both parties or may be terminated by either party by giving ten days written notice to the other party.

Rationale:  When an employee terminates service with the district there is a payout on leave balances. The total of 281 hours includes 6.25 hours of annual leave and 274.75 hours (634.75 - 360 = 274.75) of sick leave. 

Rationale:  Mike Almond informed Management that he has accepted a new job and his last day with the NRD will be September 18th. 

Rationale:  The hearing to set the Property Tax Rate for FY16 will be held at 5:00 pm just prior to the September 14 Board Meeting.

Rationale: 

In August we set the expense portion of our budget.  Certified valuations have been received from our seven counties.  The new valuations are slightly higher and will have us setting the property tax rate for FY16 at .044601 (4.4601 cents per $100 of valuation).  This is a 3% reduction in the tax rate from last year.

If there is no new information provided at the Property Tax Rate Hearing on September 14, then we should move forward setting the new rate as recommended.

A motion will be needed at board meeting to set the LPNNRD Property Tax Rate for FY16 at .044601.

Rationale: 

There are no payments this month.

The Homestead Lake Grassland Enhancement federal grant through NE Game & Parks has been approved. Staff would like to advertise and accept bids for tree removal on site.  The estimate for tree removal by G & P is $3,750.  The project deadline for tree removal is April 15, 2016. This project is approved through the budget. 

Rationale:  The O & M Crew has completed shredding at Homestead, Czechland, Sand/Duck Creek Dam 6, Cottrell  and Ames Levees and Section 10 Ditch.  Currently on Rawhide Ditch 8.  Checked watershed dams after heavy rains in August.

Rationale:  Heimann has been working with Ken Kotera of the NRCS to establish specifications for the rehabilitation of Watershed Dam Bellwood 3-B.  The specs are ready, staff would like to advertise the project and solicit bids for this rehabilitation.  We would like to open bids September 29th or the day of Committee meeting Sept. 30. This project is in the District's budget.

Rationale:  The General Contractor, Klocke Construction, is required by the Corps of Engineers to eliminate woody vegetation on a segment of the Clear Creek levee that is 1.1 miles long and approximately 8 - 11 acres.  The tree cover was heavy and the larger trees were taken out.  This area is heavily rip-rapped making it very difficult for access. Heimann suggested to the contractor to aerial spray the segment with the helicopter contractor used to spray Phragmites on the Platte River.  The General Contractor agreed to have it sprayed with the appropriate herbicide by the helicopter for a price of $2,420.   The District will pay Skycopters for the herbicide application, the General Contractor, Klocke Construction, will reimburse the District the full amount.

Rationale: 

A decision needs to be made on moving forward with paving the Wanahoo Entry Road.  Our choices are to move forward with our normal bidding procedure or piggyback onto Saunders County’s bid for paving County Road 17 (road past Wanahoo SRA entry). 

If we use the County bid then our unit prices are locked into what ever is being used for the road project.  On top of unit price will be engineering and project survey.  We have requested a price from Collins (low bid on the road project) that we were told we would have by committee meeting time.

If we choose to go to bid on the project we will need to have specifications put together and bid as a design/build or hire an engineering firm to put together a design with specifications and a bid package.

Our estimate on the project cost has been $150,000 for construction plus engineering (usually close to 30% on projects of this size).

We have a $75,000 commitment from Game and Parks for the road plus we can use NRDF funds for 60% of our costs (G&P state funds are not eligible for NRDF cost-share).  If we bid the project our estimate at this time is:

Game and Parks $75,000.00

NRDF $56,600.22

  Saunders County Lodging Tax Grant $8,000.00

LPNNRD $29,733.48

Total $169,333.70

 

The committee needs a motion to accept and approve the Collins price, have staff prepare a design/build bid package or hire an engineering firm to prepare specifications for the entry road paving project.

It was recommended by McDermott, seconded by Ruzicka, that the NRD prepare a design/build bid package for the entry road paving project and advertise for bids.  Motion failed. (AYE: McDermott and Ruzicka - NAY: Hagerbaumer, Gibney, Sabatka and Seier)  

Rationale:  Dan Kadavy harvested 56.84 tons of hay on the northern portion and paid the District $3,836.70.  Daren Sutton has hayed the southern portion and now has to haul bales away, he has approximately 513 bales.  He will also bale the fields below the Wanahoo Dam.

Rationale: 

Melissa Harrell, Wahoo City Administrator will present a request for funding assistance from the District for the trail across the face of the Wanahoo Dam.

We currently have a grass trail across the dam.  This trail serves as the crossing for the Game and Parks mowers and light vehicles.  With the opening of the Expressway the trail will also act as the access road for out gates and spillway area that increases the need to allow access at times of bad weather.  The bid price includes 50 foot pipe panels on both sides of the spillway for safety and to deter people from the spillway and riprap areas.

The Trail will be eight feet wide with a crushed limestone chip surface above a fabric base layer.

Estimated cost is:

  Trail Grant 73,340

  NRDF 11,001

  LPNNRD   7,334

       Total 91,675

Rationale:  A meeting has been set for Friday, September 11 at 9:00 a.m. at the City Council Chambers in Fremont.  The Corps of Engineers will introduce a new Project Manager, Gwyn Jarrett, for the study and discuss the process to finalize this study before the construction phase can occur.  Partners, Dodge County, Inglewood and Fremont have all been notified.

Rationale:  To date the revenue for the camper pads at Czechland Lake is $5,158.49.

Rationale:  Mark Seier may lead the discussion, but Newman Grove School will apply for a NET Grant for "Know Your Well Project" which will test wells in their community.  The school is asking for a letter of support from the District in pursuing this grant.

Rationale:  There is nothing to report.

Rationale:  The contract for KTIC radio ads is up for renewal. Contract terms (see attachment) are unchanged from last year - 312 radio & Internet spots throughout the year for $2,190. 

Rationale:  LPN is helping host the Area 5 Range Judging Contest this year. The contest will be held Wednesday, September 23 in Saunders County. The NRD is handling registrations and will help score the contest.

Rationale:  The two new Epson Projectors have been installed along with the projection screen on the west wall.  Some drywall work is still needed on the east wall before we paint the high definition screen paint.

Rationale: 

July Colon water samples took a sampling hit for total coliform.  All follow-up testing came back clean and we are back on our regular testing schedule.  Bruno tests all passed.

August meters were read on the 27th and bills have been sent.

I am looking into the purchase of a water line casing to install under the proposed paved entrance to Lake Wanahoo.  Our plans are to install and empty casing approximately 5-8' from our existing water main to allow a new line to be placed under the drive if needed in the future.

Rationale:  We received notice from David City concerning an upcoming water rate increase.  Rates will increase 12.5% effective November 19, 2015 and 11% effective November 19, 2016.  As per our existing agreement we are obligated to increase our rates at the same percentage as David City.

Rationale:  Colon water customer Rich Timm (account #16) has moved out of state with an outstanding bill of $144.92. I have made multiple attempts to reach Mr. Timm over the past few months with no success.  Mr. Timm's security deposit has been applied to his amount due. If this account is written off we will continue to collect the amount due.

Rationale:  We have met with USDA and JEO regarding the Brainard water study.  This study covers the options for Brainard to build a water treatment facility or purchase water from our Rural Water System.  We will continue to update the Board as it pertains to the possibility of expanding our system to Brainard.

Rationale: 

Violation Policy has been reviewed by Jovan Lausterer and his comments are on the attached document.

Committee members reviewed the policy and recommended some changes:

• First paragraph to read: "The LPNNRD will authorize the General Manager to determine which of the following controls to impose contingent on the severity of the violation, length of time violation occurred, the size and scope of the operation violation, previous violations, and/or be based on any economic benefit derived from the violation".
• Add 'right of appeal' to the policy.  If the accused violator wishes to appeal the ruling of the General Manager, that individual may request a written appeal to the Board of Directors within a specified number of days.

This will be sent back to Jovan Lausterer for his further review.

Rationale:  The District received 8 applications for a total 363 acres. The deadline for applications in the HCA is September 15th.

Rationale:  The deadline for new applications was August 15th.  All new applications were ranked and added to the list for Committee review. There were a total of 5 new applications for a total of 308 acres, which brings the total to 1,231.68 acres.  The Board had the option to approve up to 1,000 acres, however in 2014, the Board approved just 415.2 acres since the size of Non-Hydrologically Connected Area had been reduced due to the designation of the Special Quantity Subareas (SQS).

Rationale: 

Martin Erickson would like to submit an application for 152 new irrigated acres in the NE 1/4 of Section 20-14-7E Swedeburg Subarea, Saunders County. Attached are the required three test holes. The district has already allowed Joe Houska to apply for new acres in the NW 1/4 of the same section since he is within one mile of the Hydrologically Connected Area.  Mr. Erickson's application is also within one mile of the HCA.

Following the LPNNRD Policy for Irrigation Development in the Restricted Development Area (RDA)

• #4  "Require notices be sent to adjacent landowners notifying them about the proposed well and allow them to testify at a Water Committee or Board meeting to present their case for or against the proposed well, before the permit for the proposed well can be approved by the NRD."  Letters will need to be sent if he ranks high enough to possibly be approved.

• #8  "Require three test holes to show the geology at and near the proposed well site.  One test hole will be drilled at the proposed well site with the second and third test hole drilled approximately 300 feet from the proposed well site and spaced from each other.  If a registered well with a well log exists within a 1,000 feet of the proposed well site then this well log maybe used to replace one of the required test holes."  Mr. Erickson has met this requirement with one test hole and two well logs within a 1,000 feet (his domestic well G-161164 and a CSD test hole).

Rationale:  Wells Permits Approved: 3

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea
Terry Beller	1	0	Livestock	Platte	Lower Newman Grove
Sandy Pointe Lake Development	2	0	PWS	Saunders	Wann

The total number of approved permits for 2015 is 35


Location of Approved Well Permits for 2015:  Correct as of 9/2/2015

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler	1	2	1	0	0	0	4
Colfax	1	3	1	0	0	0	5
Dodge	3	3	0	0	0	0	6
Boone	1	2	0	0	0	0	3
Madison	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Platte	3	2	1	0	0	0	6
Saunders	4	3	0	1	0	3	11
Total	13	15	3	1	0	3	35

Rationale: 

Kristopher Kavan has submitted an application for a new supplemental well in the NW ¼ NW ¼ of Section 20-16-7E Todd Valley Subarea, Saunders County. The well will service a 128 acre pivot that is currently irrigated by well G-145362 located in the NE ¼ NE ¼ of Section 19-16-7E. 

Rationale: 

Summer measurements in both SQS areas were done generally from August 10 to 21, 2015.

SQS#2 (Platte - Colfax SQS)

The summer measurements were compared to the spring measurements for this year.  Looking at SQS#2 (Platte - Colfax SQS) and comparing the GWEL wells inside the SQS to outside the SQS shows the following:

Outside the SQS#2 boundary			Inside the SQS#2 boundary
Number of GWEL wells	12		Number of GWEL wells	15
Range (Comparing Spring to Summer)	-0.44 to -18.41		Range (Comparing Spring to Summer)	+0.24 to -34.45
Median value	-3.47		Median value	-11.74

 

So while the summer had generally good rainfall, we are noticing a greater decline within the Platte - Colfax SQS area than outside this area.

 

SQS#1 (Butler - Saunders SQS)

Getting measurements for this SQS area were more difficult since many producers did not need to run their wells and therefore no access roads had been established.  Only 6 wells were measured and two of these were monitoring wells near UP-10, which is outside this SQS area.

Rationale: 

All 30 of the irrigation well sites have been visited by staff.  A flow meter has been installed at 25 of these wells.  A signed letter has been received from producers of the other five wells that they will not irrigate in 2015.  Observations in this area through the irrigation season indicated that there wasn’t much irrigating here this summer, probably due to the ample precipitation and to conserve the water of their allocation.

Approving the use of magmeters for LPNNRD was again discussed by the Committee.  As was mentioned last winter, two of problems of magmeters is the reliance on a battery to provide adequate power for the meter to record and store information and because of this they can be more easily tampered with.  The advantages of magmeters is no moving parts.  Magmeters are still relatively new but the Water Committee will likely revisit this issue in the future.

Rationale: 

The last technical committee meeting was on August 11th in Ord at LLNRD.  Water banking was again the focus of the meeting.  Another topic concerned the Lower Platte River below North Bend and whether or not this area was approaching 'Fully Appropriated'.

The next technical committee will met in Norfolk on October 7th at LENRD.

Rationale:  Olsson Associates is nearing completion of the Water Inventory Study and it should be ready after Labor Day.

Rationale: 

A total of 308 kits have been mailed out so far for the summer while results for 106 of these have been returned to the producers.  Many kits came in at the end of August and 134 samples have been recently taken HHS Lab in Lincoln and we are awaiting these results.  Seven samples were received on the day of the Committee meeting (Wednesday September 2nd) and 61 kits are still 'outstanding' with producers and have not been used.

 

Rationale: 

Equipment has been delivered to 18 producers.  Karen Rezac has sent invoice's to them and payment has been received from all producers.

Rationale: 

2015 is the thirteenth year for this Phase 2 Area.  Earlier this year this area was reduced from 32 sections to 21 sections - to be in compliance with Section G Ground Water Quality Management Area - Phase Two Rule 1 Phase Two Criteria.  This became effective at the LPNNRD Board meeting on March 9, 2015.  A few water sample results have been received.

                                                                                               

 

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2004	0 to 25 ppm	46.3% (44 of 95)	8.4% (8 of 95)	45.3% (43 of 95)
2005	0 to 25 ppm	47% (44 of 94)	15% (14 of 94)	38% (36 of 94)
2006	0 to 24 ppm	41% (29 of 71)	14% (10 of 71)	45% (32 of 71)
2007	0 to 31 ppm	48% (48 of 100)	9% (9 of 100)	43% (43 of 100)
2008	0 to 28 ppm	53.75% (43 of 80)	7.5% (6 of 80)	38.75% (31 of 80)
2009	0 to 22 ppm	45.5% (41 of 90)	15.5% (14 of 90)	39% (35 of 90)
2010	0 to 35.7 ppm	48.65% (54 of 111)	11.71% (13 of 111)	39.64% (44 of 111)
2011	0 to 26.6 ppm	51% (56 of 110)	6% (7 of 110)	43% (47 of 110)
2012	0 to 28.9 ppm	57% (61 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	34% (36 of 107)
2013	0 to 25.8 ppm	50% (53 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	41% (44 of 107)
2014	0 to 22.3 ppm	51% (55 of 108)	13% (14 of 108)	36% (39 of 108)
			Reduced Phase 2 Area
2015	0.20 to 23.3 ppm	20% (3 of 15)	13% (2 of 15)	67% (10 of 15)

 

Staff collected thirteen water samples from wells in the eleven sections removed (now in Phase 1 , like most of our district):  thirteen nitrate samples [range of 0.00 to 15.8 ppm; seven were 0 to 8 ppm; one in 8.01 to 10 ppm; and five were > 10 ppm] and one pesticide sample [all 25 constituents were least than the "Reporting Limit'.

 

Rationale: 

2015 is the twelfth year of this Phase 2 Area.  The 55 sections of this area went into a Phase 3 Area to be in compliance with Section H Ground Water Quality Management Area - Phase Three Criteria (effective September 1, 2015).  [Section H of our Rules & Regs is attached] 

 

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 10 ppm
2004	0 to 47 ppm	30% (42 of 139)	10% (14 of 139)	60% (83 of 139)
2005	0 to 120 ppm	31.3% (74 of 236)	10.2% (24 of 236)	58.5% (138 of 236)
2006	0 to 53 ppm	28% (50 of 181)	14% (26 of 181)	58% (105 of 181)
2007	0 to 99 ppm	32% (75 of 231)	10% (22 of 231)	58% (134 of 227)
2008	0 to 46 ppm	28% (53 of 190)	12% (23 of 190)	60% (114 of 190)
2009	0 to 57 ppm	33% (72 of 216)	6% (13 of 216)	61% (131 of 216)
2010	0 to 57.5 ppm	31% (70 of 229)	7% (15 of 229)	62% (142 of 229)
2011	0 to 65.8 ppm	28% (67 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	63% (153 of 241)
2012	0 to 52.6 ppm	29% (70 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	62% (150 of 241)
2013	0 to 94.0 ppm	25% (63 of 252)	9% (23 of 252)	66% (166 of 252)
2014	0 to 101.0 ppm	27% (68 of 251)	9% (22 of 251)	64% (161 of 251)
			This will become Phase 3 Area
2015	0 to 51.2 ppm	23.5% (20 of 85)	14.1% (12 of 85)	62.4% (53 of 85)

 

Also going into effect on September 1, 2015, the ten sections immediately north of this area became 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.  During the 2015 irrigation season staff collected  a water sample for nitrate from ten wells in this new area [range of 2.05 to 20.7 ppm; three were 0 to 8 ppm; two were 8.01 to 10 ppm; and five were > 10 ppm].

 

Fall Fertilizer Application Date

For our radio ad spot with radio station KTIC we should include both a reminder to producers that they need to wait until November 1st before fall fertilizer can be applied on non-sandy soils and that no fall fertilizing is allowed in the Phase 3 Area.  For sandy soils fertilization is not allowed until after March 1st.

Rationale: 

There have been no more on-line test requests since mid-June.  

Rationale: 

For 2015 we have 420 renewals and 94 new permit applications for a current total of 514.  Inspections for 119 renewal permits, 91 new permits, and 1 emergency permit have been completed.

The breakdown, by county for the 94 new chemigation permit applications, are listed below:

Butler - 11	Colfax - 7	Saunders - 38
Platte - 18	Dodge - 18	Madison - 1
Boone - 1

Rationale:  The LPNNRD has received one new livestock permit applications from DEQ since the last Water Committee meeting.

Name	Livestock	Type of Permit	Legal Description	County
Jeremy Janssen 31705 325 Avenue Platte Center NE 68653	Swine 12,000 Head 480 A.U.	New Construction and Operating Permit	NE1/4, SE1/4, Section 9, T18N, R2W	Platte

 

 

 

 

 

Rationale: 

No new wells have been submitted for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

Rationale:  One well has been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Charles Emanuel & Sons	One irrigation well	$487.56	Dodge

 

Rationale: 

The next round of test holes will be discussed with ENWRA later this month.  LPN plans have approximately four to six more test holes to be done.

Katie Cameron (ENWRA Coordinator) has placed information from the flight lines flown in the Spring 2015 and the Fall 2014 on the ENWRA website at enwra.org.  Click on the "2015 AEM" tab to show the reports and geologic cross-sections.  A map showing the flight lines for Lower Platte North NRD are attached.  Each flight line is broken down to 10 mile segments and listed as a, b, c, etc.  So flight line L101701b represents the central portion of SQS#2 (Platte-Colfax SQS).

 

Rationale: 

Staff have performed the summer measurements in the SQS areas from August 10 to 21st and the measurements on August 31 for the Wann Basin area as part of the multi-agencies network to help the clean-up efforts of the US Army Corps of Engineers at the Former Ordnance Plant near Mead.

Results from the Wann Basin area will be presented next month.

 

Rationale:  Staff has sampled 23 of the 53 SWN Sites. It is likely that we will not be able to sample any more wells due to the continued rain. We will have the final results at the September 30th Water Committee.

Rationale: 

August 14^th was the last day for our three summer interns.  Two are now attending classes at UNL and one has a class to complete at Wayne State College.  Job well done and thanks to Bob Heiman and Russ Oaklund for hiring another good crew.

 

Rationale:  Six members from the general public attended the Water Committee (see attached sign-in sheet).

Rationale: 

Fall Applications above existing NRD Structures:

  Kenneth Polacek (7A) Terraces & Tile $ 11,564.33 75%

  Don Anderson (Clear Creek) Terraces & Tile $   9,468.34 75%

  Edward Kratky (7A) Terraces & Tile $   7,046.25 75%

  Rudolph Houfek (42A) Basins & Tile $ 11,062.50 75%

  Bill Perk (Site 15) Basins & Tile $ 12,500.00 75%

 Fall Applications in LPNNRD Priority Areas:

  Randy Brabec (Colfax) Diversion $  1,006.08 75%

  Vering Feedyard LLC (Dodge) Terraces & Tile $ 12,500.00 75%

  REMD LLC (Butler) Terraces & Tile $   2,982.73 75%

  Elizebeth Meysenburg (Butler) Crop ground to grass $      751.33 75%

  Lawrence Mach (Cottonwood) Terraces/Basins/Tile $   3,403.94 25%

  Berniel Jansa (Cottonwood) Basins/Tile $   9,405.00 25%

  TOTAL: $ 81,691.22

 

Rationale: 

 

14-D-59 Raymond Mitchell Waterway w/fabric checks $ 540.89

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale: 

Larry Johnson Terraces/Tile/Waterway $ 4,028.77 25%

  Kenneth Johnson Terraces/Basins/Tile $ 8,896.06 25% (SWCP)

  $ 5,343.22 15% (SWCP)

 

Rationale: 

None

Rationale: 

Mike Chvatal is applying for assistance to build a grade stabilization dam located above LPNNRD's Cottonwood Creek Floodwater Dam Site 21-A, near Malmo.  Earlier this year, Mike became interested in possibly restoring an old breached dam at this location, however after further investigation, this does not appear to be a very good option.  In the past, LPNNRD has given cost-share priority to conservation practices located above our floodwater dams.  

On August 7th, Assistant Manager Mountford inspected the small dam site with NRCS technician Sean Elliott.   This appears to be a good site for a structure and would provide multiple benefits (erosion control, wildlife habitat, silt trap above Dam Site 21-A)  The tentative plan is to obtain necessary permits and complete the project design and construct the project as soon as possible.  Depending on the permit and design schedule, the project would likely be completed next summer.  The project estimate is $22,323 of which 75% or $16,742 is being requested from LPNNRD. Our cost-share limit on small dams is $15,000, however this can be adjusted on a case-by-case basis depending on the benefits of the project.   Mr. Chavtal was present to discuss his application.   NRCS will confirm that there is the required 75% land treatment about the site and Mr. Chavtal expressed interest in applying for any needed conservation practices on his property as well. 

Rationale:  We have received the final $922.50 contract invoice from EA Engineering for completing the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan.  After this payment, we will have paid a total of $123,000 to EA for this effort.  Per Board Policy, no recommendation is needed for payment.

Rationale:  As reported last month, we have been working with JEO on submitting grant applications to NDEQ and NET for the second project phase in the Wahoo Creek Watershed.  The applications will request assistance for continuing with landowner conservation practices and Lands for Conservation Program.  Another segment of this application is to pursue constructing two larger grade stabilization structures in the watershed. JEO representatives will be present to discuss the applications.  The committee will be asked to support submitting grant applications to NDEQ and NET for this project phase.

Rationale:  Meghan Sittler was  present to give her monthly update on numerous  Alliance activities.  She was very busy organizing the Water Quality Open which was held last month.  She  also has been busy working on several grant and funding opportunities and overseeing the pier removal activities at Two River State Park. Attached is a construction report and photos.  A detailed written report of Meghan's activities is anticipated by Board Meeting.

Rationale: 

A meeting has been set for Friday, September 11 at 9:00 a.m. at the City Council Chambers in Fremont.  The Corps of Engineers will introduce a new Project Manager, Gwyn Jarrett, for the study and discuss the process to finalize this study before the construction phase can occur.  Partners, Dodge County, Inglewood and Fremont have all been notified.

Rationale: 

Contractor still remains on site finishing punch list items from final walk through.  

A training exercise for operation of the levee is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on September 11th. 

Rationale:  Attached is a thank you letter from Mel & Kitty Bailey for supporting their Shell Creek Project effort.

Rationale: 

John Petersen, JEO engineer, has reported that they are moving forward with permitting and design of the Woodcliff bank stabilization project.  They plan to submit the 404 permit application package in the next 2-3 months and anticipate at least 6 months before the Corps approves it.  If all goes well, we are looking at a fall 2016 construction start.  Early next year, Woodcliff plans to submit an official cost share request to LPNNRD so it can be considered for our FY 17 budget.

Another project that is underway is the breach inundation mapping on twenty of our non-high hazard dams.

We have received a $2,516.50 invoice and progress report from JEO for contract work on our Hazard Mitigation Plan contract.  After this payment, we will have paid $86,405.50 of our $126,000 contract ($39,594.50 remaining) as attached. 

 

 

Rationale: 

On August 28 tiling contractor Dave Veldkamp visited the site where landowners Gaughan and Murren are experiencing crop damage due to the Wanahoo wetland raising Duck Creek levels by more than nine feet on property adjacent to the wetland.  Directors Hilger, Kavan Sabatka and Veskerna were present along with Miyoshi.  Air photos from five different years were reviewed as well as viewing the site. 

Veldkamp informed us that the cost to tile the ground would cost $800 to $900 per acre. 

Directors asked that staff try to obtain the following documents:

            1.   Air photos of the property for each of the last 10 years

            2.  NRCS Wetland Determination maps for the property (from property owners)

            3.  FSA production records for the last 10 years (from property owners)

Discussion also occurred about hiring a professional agronomist or company that could assist us with determining if there is a problem and if so how many acres are affected.  Some of the names that came up were Landmark (Chris Langemeier), Pathfinder (Roger Koertner) and ServTech.

No recommendation was needed at this time. 

Rationale:  Chairman Hannah has requested discussion on possibly changing the Projects Committee starting time from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.  The reason for this request is his desire to hold Executive Committee meetings immediately following the Projects Committee meetings on a Thursday.  By moving Projects Committee up an hour, it will allow more time to hopefully complete both meetings in the morning.  As you recall, the Projects Committee moved the meeting to 9:00 a.m. to better accommodate all committee members schedules. While several committee members suggested a 8:00 a.m. start time, no recommendation was made at this time. 

Rationale: 

Segement 4B

Contractor is on site finishing up punch list items from final walk through, which include

  Fixing Fence and the Gates

  Spraying of trees along the river will take place second week of September

 

Segment 5

Contractor continues to work at Camp Ashland Culvert.  

Road surfacing between Road E and F 

Finishing Culverts between Road E & F

 

Rationale: 

The second of three payments for the Fremont GI Study is due in September in the amount of $100,000.  The total cost is $275,000 with the first payment ($100,000) being made in July, the second payment ($100,000) being made in September and the third payment ($75,000) being due in the spring of 2016.  One half of the $275,000 is being paid by LPNNRD with the balance being reimbursed from Fremont, Dodge County and Inglewood.

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.