January 13, 2020 at 1:30 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:  Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  Registration deadline is January 10th.  Please let Breunig know if you would like to be registered.  

The following Directors are registered: Hannah, Hilger, Johnson and Meyer

Rationale:  The Annual Director Retreat will be held Wednesday, February 19th at the Lake Wanahoo Education Building. 

Rationale:  Discussion is requested on the date for February's board meeting.  The NACD Annual Conference is scheduled for February 8-12 which would make attendees unavailable for the February board meeting.  A potential alternative date would be Friday February 7th at 1:30 pm.

The Feburary Board Meeting will be Monday, February 10th

Rationale:  Attached find absence requests for the November Board Meeting the following Directors - Olson, Johnson, Bailey, Yosten and Meduna

Rationale:  Harvey Brabec has submitted his expenses for the 2019 Cropping year.  Total  expenses this year are $8,054.68 and are split 50/50. The NRD share is $4,027.34. (see attachment)

Rationale:  The Executive Committee discussed how to proceed with the NRD Farm - Site 15.

Rationale:  Staff has received three bids for bi-weekly cleaning of our Wanahoo Education Building.  CleanHomes from Wahoo was the low bid at a rate of $75 per cleaning.

Rationale:  Gottschalk, Rezac and Sabatka have conducted interviews with four candidates and General Manager is has offered the position to Kara Nelson at an hourly salary of $13.00. Kara's start date is scheduled to be January 21, 2020.

Rationale:  Mountford and NRCS staff will be conducting interviews for this position the week of January 13th with plans to have the new hire begin as soon as possible.

Rationale:  Grant Nuttleman reivewed the November Financial Statements with the Executive Committee.

Rationale:  We have nothing to address.

Rationale:  There's nothing to report.

Rationale:  The O & M crew has been doing vehicle maintenance, working on other equipment and moving dirt to erosion areas.

Rationale:  Dirt sales total income since 2012 is $253,686, for the calendar year 2019 $19,770.
The two year Agreement expires December, 2019 but, automatically renews for two years expiring in December, 2021 unless written notice is given by either party on or before July 1 of the final year of the term. The price for a Cu. Yd. will go from $1.00 to $1.15.

Rationale:  Rezac Seed reported revenue for the No-Till Grass Drill for the second half of 2019 at $3,414.54 of which is divided in half or $1,707.27. With maintenance repairs for tires and tubes the District received $1,260.21.

Rationale:  As reported at the December Board meeting M.E. Collins completed the rip-rap work on the face of the Swedeburg (Thorston) dam. We have not received the final invoice from Collins. John Thorston approved as did NE Dept. of Natural Resources Dam Safety via the picture. See attached photo.

Rationale:  We received new information from the COE regarding the protest of the bids to repair the Clear Creek Levee. "On December 23rd, the Corps of Engineers Northwest Division ruled that Lee McCormick (our Contracting Officer (KO)) acted in accordance with his authority as a KO and conducted the bidding process of the Clear Creek project correctly.  He will be moving forward with awarding to the apparent low bidder.  They expect an early January award. The low bid at the time was $9.199 M.

Staff met with COE and Clear Creek Drainage Board representatives regarding the Tie-Back levee on the north end of the Clear Creek Levee system. The Clear Creek D & D elevated the Tie-Back levee by adding dirt. The past two winters, Clear Creek representatives have sand bagged an area on the Tie-Back to prevent it from overtopping. The COE believes the Tie-Back is at the 50 year flood elevation. LPNNRD will take elevation shots in comparison to the Corps elevations when the levee system was being renovated, if within 3 tenths it will be Okay, if not we may have to go through the 408 process. Our argument is that the Tie-Back is 2.5-3' lower than the Clear Creek Levee it's tied to.

Rationale:  Gana Trucking & Excavating were scheduled to mobilize and start work on the two breach holes in Ditch 8 on Monday, December 23. Being Christmas week, they have decided to start Monday, December 30.
JEO has sent an invoice to be paid, $7,346.25. To date we will have paid $19,990.00 out of a $39,775.00 contract.

Rationale:  Clark Construction completed the Fuse Plug Levee at Camp Ashland on Friday, December 6th. The final invoice of $104,162.00 was received and paid. The original bid was $106,574.00, a difference of $2,412.00. Clark Construction and FYRA Engineering did a very good job. FYRA was on site most everyday.  We received an invoice from FYRA for $11,162.08. With the previous invoice our total to date is $12,971.33, the FYRA contract total was for $21,720.00.
Documentation is being sent to FEMA for reimbursement. We will also ask for financial assistance from Lower Platte South NRD at a later date. Photo attached.

Rationale:  As previously reported, FYRA's estimate to repair the Wanahoo Stilling Basin is $529,438. FEMA did not have any issues with the estimate.
FYRA used Sonar equipment to investigate the scour hole in the basin, they will tie it to or compare it to the Bathymetry survey they did first. At this time, they are estimating that there is some scour that occurred under the concrete basin floor. We received an invoice from FYRA for $10,653.50.
Mike Sotak will be at the January 30th Committee meeting for an update and will be the February Board meeting Education presentation.

Rationale:  Staff has been in correspondence with the Corps of Engineers regarding the accreditation on the Sand/Duck Creek Project. The COE had informed us on December 11 that they owed the District $747.30. Over the past many years, the District estimated we would receive between $600,000 - $800,000. Gottschalk, Mountford, Heimann and Miyoshi have gone over the information and believe we have found a discrepancy between an environmental component (Breakwater berm) being labeled a recreational component. Recreational components were cost-shared at 50% versus 65% for Environmental restoration.
In the past, staff may have estimated all the cost-share at the 65% level rather than 50% on the recreational components over inflating our estimate.

Rationale:  Nothing new to report.

Rationale:  Annual park permit sales for 2020 began the first week of December. As of 12/31/2019 296 permits have been sold totaling $4395.00 in gross revenue (see attached spreadsheet). 

Rationale:  The 2019 floods displaced many individuals in Eastern Nebraska. The District offered free camping as a way to help those affected, then later offered a lower rate to help ease the cost of living. As we approach 2020, there are two fifth wheel trailers housing flood victims still occupying two electric pads at the campground. Staff will be delivering a letter to these individuals informing them that we will no longer be providing long term stays. They may pay up through the 15th of January. Any stay after that day will have to follow the Rules and Regulations of the park.

Rationale:  J&R Concrete and Construction's bid of $5,770.00 was the low bid for staining and sealing the floor at the Education Building.  Their price includes all prep work, filling cracks, staining and two coats of finish applied to the floor.  J&R has been contacted and is scheduled to perform their work the week of January 13-17, 2020.

Rationale:  The KTIC radio ad and Wahoo Newspaper eAd promoted the availability to purchase 2020 Wanahoo park permits from December 15^th-December 31^st.  The current ads promote the Nitrogen Certification & Water Management Classes and will run through January 31^st.  The ads are attached.
 

Rationale: 

Why track analytics? Analytics is a great way to see what people are viewing on our website. By looking at the data from our website and keeping an eye on specific pages like the Lake Wanahoo page, Czechland Lake, Contact and Downloads pages, we can continue to provide updated important information to the District.

In mid-September we started tracking analytics on our website and filtered out all of the office computers’ IP addresses to achieve a better reading on our analytics.

The traffic channels help us to see how people are finding our website. The direct URL is always going to be towards the top of the list, but it is also good to look at where other users are coming from - whether it is from a different website or search engine (referral column) or through our social media platforms.

An update on analytics for our website and social media pages through December 31.

Website Data
Dates	Users	Sessions	Traffic Channel 1	Traffic Channel 2	Traffic Channel 3	Traffic Channel 4	Top Page	Views	Devices	Percent
October 1-30	710	904	Organic  58.4%	Direct  25%	Referral  13.3%	Social  3.3%	Home	543	Desktop	58.73%
							Lake Wanahoo	355	Mobile	36.48%
							Staff	121	Tablet	4.79%
							Czechland Lake	100
							Contact	95
November 1-30	535	637	Organic 62.4%	Direct 21.5%	Referral  14.1%	Social 2%	Home	424	Desktop	51.3%
							Lake Wanahoo	266	Mobile	42.5%
							Downloads	97	Tablet	6.10%
							Staff	93
							Contacts	77
December 1-31	758	957	Organic 52.4%	Direct 30.4%	Referral 12.8%	Social 4.5%	Home	732	Desktop	63.7%
							Lake Wanahoo	313	Mobile	31.36%
							Downloads	152	Tablet	4.87%
							Staff	149
							Contact	127

 

Facebook Data
Date/Post	Total Views/Impressions	Total Reach	Total Engaged Users	Followers
October 2019	9446	6772	1273	873
Top Post: Wanahoo Ed Building Available	6732	4,551	1150
Top Post: Shared picture from Pork Chop Island	538	434	36
Top Post: Area Land Judging NARD article	529	407	24
November 2019	5341	5174	324	885
Top Post: Wahoo Public Survival Club Presentation	1076	1018	145
Top Post: Progress on Clear Creek Levee	540	531	40
Top Post: Daryl presentation-East Butler	394	380	41
December 2019	7148	6833	522	935
Top Post: NRD/NRCS continuing collaboration	923	890	195
Top Post: LPNNRD accepting I&E/receptionist applications	611	552	58
Top Post: John Miyoshi joins NCF board or directors	399	400	33

 

Twitter Data
Date/Post	Impressions  (# of times users saw tweet)	Engagements  (# of times users interacted)	Followers
October 2019	2,643		300
Top Post: order trees	507	5
Top Post: image from Wanahoo/nature quote	248	8
Top Post: PCI shared picture	199	4
November 2019	4,931	104	302
Top Post: Tree Planting Program	1355	26
Top Post: Progress on Clear Creek Levee	390	24
Top Post: Daryl Presentation- East Butler	244	16
December 2019	9178	134	304
Top Post: UNL Stress webinar	976	8
Top Post: World Soil Day	715	7
Top Post: 2020 nitrogen certification classes	714	11

Rationale:  The 2020 LPNNRD Calendars have been printed and distributed to staff and directors.  If you are in need of any additional calendars, please contact Lacey.
 

Rationale:  The first semester transcripts have been received from one of the 2019 scholarship winners, Sarah Johnson.  She has met all scholarship requirements, and the second installment of her scholarship award has been mailed to her.
 

Rationale: 

Date	School/Group	Grade/Age	# of students	Topic	Staff
Friday, December 6th	East Butler	High School	9	Point source & non-point source pollution	Andersen/TePoel/Sabatka
Tuesday, December 10	Survival Club (WPS)	8th	18	2-legged & 4-legged predators- staying safe outdoors	TePoel/Gottschalk/Sabatka
Monday, December 16	St. Wenceslaus	Pre-K	18	Wildlife- pine cone bird feeders	TePoel/Sabatka
Tuesday, December 17	St. Wenceslaus	Pre-K	12	Wildlife- pine cone bird feeders	TePoel/Sabatka
Wednesday, December 18th	East Butler	Junior High	9	LPNNRD/career opportunities	TePoel
Friday, December 20th	Wahoo Public Headstart	Pre-K	30	Pine cone bird feeders	Sabatka
January	Survival Club (WPS)	8th	18	TBD	Gottschalk/Sabatka

Rationale:  A bill was introduced to the Nebraska Legislature that has potential to aid the RWD (and all Nebraska municipalities utility depts) in the necessity of addressing aging infrastructure:

LB 242 - LB 242 adopts the Infrastructure Improvement and Replacement Assistance Act and provides for a turn back of state sales tax revenue. Under the Act, a phased in portion of Nebraska state sales tax collected from each sewer and potable water utility will be returned to each utility or political subdivision to assist in paying for future infrastructure improvements. The state of Nebraska would turn back 2% of the 5.5% of state sales tax dollars collected from each potable water and sewer utility from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. The state of Nebraska would turn back 3% of the 5.5% of state sales tax dollars collected from each potable water and sewer utility from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023. The state of Nebraska would turn back 4% of the 5.5% of state sales tax dollars collected from each potable water and sewer utility collected after July 1, 2023.

 

Rationale:  In November the RWD was contacted by the representative for the Colon American Legion Post requesting a service shut off.  Their rationale being a small, declining membership coupled with dwindling financial reserves.  Elliott relayed the request to Colon and the Village board voted to keep the account open as the building still has potential in use.
Monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills will go out this week.

Rationale:  The RWD and the Nebraska Rural Water Association is currently working on a rate study for the Bruno system.  There should be information to report next month.
Regular monthly samples completed, meters read and bills will go out this week.

Rationale: 

Wells Permits Approved: 5

Landowner	Number of Wells	Number of New Irrigated Acres	Type of Well	County	Subarea
Selma Schmit Limited Partnership	1	0	Irrigation	Butler	Bellwood
Kenneth Meister	1	0	Livestock	Butler	David City
Dan Lutjens	1	0	Livestock	Platte	Lower Shell Creek
Bruce L & Amy M Williams	1	0	Livestock	Saunders	Morse Bluff
Tim & Terry Foltz	1	0	Irrigation	Platte	Platte Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total number of approved permits for 2019 is 31

Location of Approved Well Permits for 2019:  Correct as of 12/31/2019

County	Irrigation - New	Irrigation - Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler	1	2	1	0	0	0	4
Colfax	0	2	0	0	0	0	2
Dodge	2	1	0	0	0	1	4
Boone	6	0	0	0	0	0	6
Madison	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Platte	1	5	1	0	0	0	7
Saunders	2	1	3	0	1	1	8
Total	12	11	5	0	1	2	31

Rationale:  The District has received two applications for acre expansions from an existing well. These are requests for new acres without increasing consumptive use.

Request #1:
Chad King would like to add 40 acres to his existing 224.98 acre system in S23-22-5W, Boone County. The irrigated acres are serviced by well G-044537. Assuming nine acre inches per year for the current system, the additional 40 acres will set the annual allocation at 7.64 acre inches.

Request #2:
Steve Johnson would like to add 50 acres to his extisting 198.73 acre system in S3-13-8E, Saunders County. The irrigated acres are serviced by well G-135474. Assuming nine acre inches per year for the current system, the addidtional 50 acres will set the annual allocation at 7.19 acre inches.

Rationale:  Roger Harder asked the Committee to consider converting surface water irrigation to groundwater irrigation.  The tract is located in the NW1/4 23-14N-6E, which is SE of Weston.  This is right on the edge of the LPNNRD blue/red area, so it would be eligible to be consider for a variance for a new irrigation well.  The deadline for variances in the red area is August 15.

Rationale:  A technical meeting was held in Norfolk on December 3rd.  The group discussed the online reporting in which HDR will be coming to each NRD to work with them, so information can be uploaded correctly.  Another issue was how each NRD handled water use for a livestock facility.  A standard will be developed, so there is consistency throughout each NRD.  

The group then discussed the V-IMP and the agreed depletion numbers in the initial plan and what would be the process for the next 5 years starting in 2022. The Lower Platte NRD got 2276 acre feet (AF) which 1138 AF was designated for groundwater depletion.  At the present time the LPN has used 886.57 AF for irrigated acres and approximated another 100 AF for livestock facilities.  Each year the NRD and DNR reallocate according to total use. No surface water allocation has been used, so at the present time LPNNRD has approximately 536 AF available for 2020-21 and DNR has 752 AF available for surface water.  (attached is a delepletion chart)

The group discussed the next 5 years allotment and with the AEM flights not incorporated into the Platte-Missouri Trib Model an extension was discussed beyond 2022.  If extension is granted for another 5 years, no new allotment would be issued.  The extension would allow DNR and the NRDs to work on regional models to refine the HCA area.        

Rationale:  Staff will be meeting with DNR for the quarterly review on January 7.  

Rationale:  Quotes for proposals were due December 31 at 4:30 pm.  Staff and Committee reviewed the information from the four proposals received.  Discussion considered initial cost, annual costs and reliability.  The LPNNRD was awarded a WaterSmart Grant from the Bureau of Reclamation for $105,452, with the Bureau paying 50% of the total equipment cost or a maximum of $52,726.  The grant included options of adding remote reads for meters and evapotranspiration (ET) information.  Staff and Committee felt that knowing what might work and the efficiency would be invaluable information, as the NRD moves forward with online reporting and newer technology.  The quotes just looked at remote reads on water level data loggers.  
Staff has received an updated quote from METO USA company that included the obtaining remote reads from dataloggers, flow meters and ET information.  The quote including this equipment is $38,075.34, which staff would recommend approving, so the grant process with the Bureau of Reclamation is not delayed.  

Rationale: 

2019 is the seventeenth year for the Phase 2 Area.  [In 2015 this area was reduced from 32 sections to 21 section.]  Six shallow vadose zone samples (Giddings Rig) were collected in November.

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)
2015	0 to 32.3 ppm	43% (31 of 72)	8% (6 of 72)	49% (35 of 72)
2016	0 to 35.1 ppm	34% (25 of 74)	11% (8 of 74)	55% (41 of 74)
2017	0 to 23.5 ppm	36% (27 of 74)	15% (11 of 74)	49% (36 of 74)
2018	0 to 30.9 ppm	40% (25 of 63)	11% (7 of 63)	49% (31 of 63)
2019	0 to 24.5	46% (22 of 48)	10% (5 of 48)	44% (21 of 48)

One 2019 requested water sample kit remains outstanding: Kit #19-5227, Joe Birkel.

Rationale: 

2019 is the fourth year of this Phase 2 Area. There are 45 registered active irrigation wells in the ten sections of this area.  Two deep vadose zone samples (tracked by GeoProbe) were collected in December.  A hearing is scheduled for January 30 at 8:30 am to move this area up to a Phase 3 Area. 

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
2016	1.47 to 41.8 ppm	29% (10 of 34)	9% (3 of 34)	62% (21 of 34)
2017	2.44 to 25.4 ppm	23% (8 of 35)	(0 of 35)	77% (27 of 35)
2018	1.75 to 29.3 ppm	25% (5 of 20)	10% (2 of 20)	65% (13 of 20)
2019	0.23 to 35.9	11.4% (4 of 35)	14.3% (5 of 35)	74.3% (26 of 35)

Rationale: 

2019 is the fourth year of this Phase 3 Area.  This Phase 3 area went into effect September 1, 2015.  The 55 sections of this area first went into a Phase 2 Area in 2004.  Nine shallow vadose zone samples (Giddings Rig) were collected in November.  Four deeper vadose zone samples (tracked GeoProbe) were collected in December.  The LPNNRD entered into a signed contract with EA Engineering for $24,458.33 to conduct the vadose sampling.  An invoice for 30% of the project is attached for $7,937.50 with NRD staff submitting this to Nebraska Environment Trust for 100% reimbursement.  The invoice came in after the Water Committee.

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)
2015	0 to 53.3 ppm	23% (55 of 238)	12% (29 of 238)	65% (154 of 238)
2016	0 to 50.5 ppm	25% (58 of 228)	10% (22 of 228)	65% (148 of 228)
2017	0 to 53.4 ppm	25% (60 of 238)	6% (14 of 238)	69% (164 of 238)
2018	0 to 56.9 ppm	26.5% (50 of 189)	6.3% (12 of 189)	67.2% (127 of 189)
2019	0 to 39.4	25% (53 of 209)	11% ( 22 of 209)	64% (134 of 209)

One 2019 requested water sample kit remains outstanding: Kit #19-5302, Randy Kassmeier.

Rationale:  Twenty-eight producers passed the Online Test in 2019.

Winter Classes:

• Thursday, January 9 - 3:30 pm at Fremont Extension Office
• Wednesday, January 22 - 4:30 pm at ENREC - Mead (in between pesticide classes)
• Wednesday, January 29 - 1 pm at Ag Hall - Columbus (flyer attached)
• Tuesday, February 11 - 9:30 am at Fairgrounds - David City (during Ag Show)
• Tuesday, February 25 - 9 am at Village Hall - Lindsay 
• Wednesday, February 26 - 1 pm at Oak Ball Room - Schuyler (flyer attached)
• Tuesday, March 17 - 9 am at Ag Hall - Columbus
• Thursday, March 19 - 6 pm at ENREC - Mead

Rationale: 

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

 

Rationale: 

# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
John L. Bender	Irrigation	$1,000	Platte
Yindrick Farms LLC	Irrigation	$1,153.77	Butler
K Four J Farms LLC	Domestic	$364.51	Saunders
Steven V. Frahm	Domestic	$260.07	Saunders

 

Rationale:  Invoice for ENWRA dues for $30,000 and geo-cloud for $3,400 is attached.  This is part of the 5 year agreement of the interlocal agreement  passed at the LPNNRD Board May 2017.  (Agreement is attached) 

Discussion at technical meeting on December 11 was on regional geological models to use in a numerical model, which an example would be the Platte Missouri Trib model.  This model is the one NeDNR is using for HCA determination. 

A geological model would combine AEM data, text holes, well logs etc.  This would help fill in gaps between the flight lines in determining boundary conditions and the extend of the isolated aquifers.  The ENWRA group felt that each NRD could look at areas of concerns and work regionally.  The group did feel that a standard be developed so consistency would be developed in looking at the information. 

 

Rationale:  New proposal

• Year 1 - All wells in Nitrate Management Areas
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 2 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 2 - Dodge, Colfax and Butler County
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 3 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 3 - Platte, Boone and Madison
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, with Year 4 in new area would be occurring also.
• Year 4 - Saunders County 
  • $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
  • Second year $600 cost-share only, 
• After the fifth year no cost share available and all meters not installed would be required to install at their cost.

LPNNRD would set a date that all  high capacity wells are required to have meters during the fifth year.  

Original Meter Proposed Policy:

Cost-share

• Year 1 - $1000 cost-share for the flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
• Year 2 - $800 cost-share for flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed.
• Year 3 - $600 cost-share for flow meter and extra $500 for a check valve if needed

Installation

• Year 1 - All wells in Nitrate Management Areas
• Year 2 - Dodge, Colfax and Butler County
• Year 3 - Platte, Boone and Madison
• Year 4 - Saunders County 

Meter Details (this would stay the same)

• Meter Installation handled by Private Companies
• Meter Maintenance will be contracted out with about 1000 meters a year.   

Quote seen at a water conference "If water is not measured it can't be managed."
 
 The purpose of installing flow meters for the LPNNRD is to get a better understanding of sustainable aquifers for future generations.   This will also allow the LPNNRD to be pro-active instead of re-active if water consumption becomes an issue.  A producer can utilize the flow meter on how the well is actually performing and increase irrigation management efficiency.  The Committee recommended to start setting aside funding, like $200,000 a year, into a sinking fund for the purpose of a grant match. 
 

Rationale:  Representative from McCrometer will be present to update the Committee on flow meters offered by the company.  

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  There was a Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group meeting on December 20 at the Columbus NRCS office.  Matt Bailey gave an update. 

Bill Bos continues to work on past and future Shell Creek projects.  Attached is a summary project extents completed in 2019. 

The Carol Rosicky Water & Sediment Basin Project is complete and ready for payment. Bill Bos submitted paperwork on this project that is located in Section 3- 18N-2E.  Total project cost: $21,275.01.  Our 75% cost share cap is $12,500. 
 

Rationale:  As presented earlier this year, we had a couple of smaller balances with a few funds in a couple of banked accounts carried over from when the RC&D and Shell Creek accounts were transferred to LPNNRD in 2015.  As of June 30, 2019, this total was $5,092. There was another old fund with $2,958 remaining that several partners put together about 20 years ago for Shell Creek conservation promotion activities.  Since July 1^st, both these accounts have been expended on a few miscellaneous watershed expenses with the majority being used to fund Bill Bos’s time working in the watershed.  
As we move forward into 2020, we have $104,688 approved from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and another $350,000 of EPA319 funding committed by NDEE for Shell Creek projects and activities.  An agreement with NDEE for using the 319 funds is anticipated in March, 2020.  LPNNRD also has $48,620 in a Shell Creek sinking fund for future landowner projects and we have also budgeted an additional $20,000 in our FY2019-2020 for landowner project use as well.  In addition to this fiscal year’s budget, the LPNNRD Board has approved $200,000  specially to be placed in another sinking fund to assist with the channel improvement and creek bank benching associated with U.P. Railroad’s bridge replacement in 2020.  
 

Rationale:  Matt reported that Colfax county will be taking the lead to design the channel and benching project located north and south of the Union Pacific Railroad bridge replacement project at county road 15.  The bridge replacement may be staring as early at this coming spring so the goal is to start the channel/benching within the same timeframe.

Rationale:  NRCS has informed us that they have revisited Dam Site 83 to further reinvestigate a few cultural resource areas reported on by Buried Past LLC and to look at another potential site not included in Buried Past's report. We coordinated this investigation with landowners involved.  NRCS has informed us that another site visit can occur with interested staff and directors (see attached email). 

As reported earlier, Saunders County and the City of Wahoo have approved Dam Breach Overlay District for the proposed Wahoo Creek Dams. The final approval is being sought from the Village of Weston. An information meeting  will occur at the Weston Village Hall at  7:00 p.m. meeting on January 6, 2020. Attached is JEO's December 26, 2019 invoice totaling $1,365 for contact work completed on the Dam Breach Overlay for the City of Wahoo. After this payment, there will be $2,365 remaining in our $5,200 contract for helping with the overlay for the Village of Weston. 

Also attached is FYRA's 12-20-19 invoice totaling $7,776.  After this payment, $40,716.61 remains under contract.

Rationale:  Attached is a December 16, 2019 invoice from Olsson totaling $3,549.16.  After this payment, $1,809.856.18 will remain under contract.

Rationale:  As reported last month, on November 26th, representatives from NDEE, NRCS, UNL Extension and LPNNRD met at our office to discuss water quality priorities as we move forward with promoting and funding future conservation practices in the Wahoo Creek Watershed.  Over the past seven years, we have been targeting special federal EQIP funding (Water Quality Initiative) from NRCS and grant funding from NDEE and NET for landowner water quality practices and programs.  Initially, reducing sediment loads, nitrogen and phosphorus were primary focuses along with E-coli.  NRCS and NDEE are revaluing this focus to target elevated levels of E-coli and atrazine in the watershed.  NRCS would like to partner with LPNNRD and NDEE in promoting and funding other best management practices that will better assist with reducing those contaminants.  Renee Hancock, Jeremiah Schutz, Doug Wagner ,NRCS and Elber Traylor, NDEE led discussion about  our continued partnership to address additional water quality concerns in the Wahoo Creek Watershed. The Board approved continued support of this water quality effort.  A public meeting to promote use of available assistance for best management practices is being planned sometime in February, 2020.  LPNNRD is asked to provide refreshments/ food so discussion this public meeting. It was suggested that Saint John's School would be a possible location.

Rationale:  The group continues to work with JEO and other partners looking for grant funding to assist with the flood resiliency study of the lower third of Dodge County.

Rationale:  Lalit Jha, JEO, was present to discuss an addendum to our Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Update contact (see attachments). This addendum is for additional work to include 22 additional entities that have expressed a desire to be included in our plan.  This extra work is above and beyond what was anticipated in the original agreement scope and totals $18,000. This increases JEO's total approved services from $210,000 to $228,000. Of this total, $93,000 would be the new amount directed toward the portion for the HMP update. Our FEMA  HMP grant will reimburse LPNNRD 75% ($13,500), of this increase raising LPNNRD's commitment by $4,500.  This means LPNNRD's local expense will now be $21,125 ($93,000 x 75% = $23,250 - $2,125 for UBBNRD contribution) toward the plan update.  A committee recommendation to approve the amendment will be needed to include those additional entities. 

Also attached is JEO’s  December 20, 2019 invoice for Hazard Mitigation Plan Contract work totaling $6,695. This total amount will be 75% reimbursed from NEMA/FEMA.  For their portions of this expense, Fremont will reimburse us $781.25 (25% of the $3,125) and Schuyler will reimburse us $468.75 (25% of $1,875).  

We are working with JEO to hold the second round of HMP public meetings beginning mid February. A meeting in David City will be held February 11, 2020, at the David City Public Library, beginning a 6:30 p.m. Another meeting will be held at the Lake Wanahoo Education Building on February 13, 2020, beginning at 6:30 p.m.(see attached letter sent to participating entities). 
 

Rationale:  On December 5, Mountford and Elliott met with Connie Cronin at her property in Section 35-16N-1E in Butler County.  Connie contacted the NRD with concerns about erosion occuring along the property boundry to the east with Jason Meister.  
Elliott and Mountford observed the area of concern, noting the headcut and the existing ravine topography.  The Sediment Erosion Control Act was explained to Ms Cronin and its potential for this scenario.  Both Elliott and Mountford believe that this particular situation does not warrant pursuing the Sed Erosion Act.  However, we discussed what potential conservation/management practices could be implemented to slow down the advancement of the headcut.  As per our SWCP policy; and party involved in an active complaint will be deemed "high priority" for cost-share assitance.
A letter will be sent to both parties detailing the situation.
On December 11 Elliott met with Leonard Zeleny in Colon to discuss a potential sediment erosion complaint with his neighbor to the west, John Murren.  Murren has built a berm paralleling his property and Zeleny's, as well as Otte Oil, and Zeleny was worried about the effect of stormwater runoff drainage.  It was determined that this was not a violation of the Sediment Erosion Act, but could lead to potential drainage issues.  A letter was sent to all parties detailing what was discussed and potential solutions.

Rationale:  Dean Klug Family Trust - NE4NE4 Section 24-18N-1E - 6.3 acres 
      This will be a 10 year contract (in conjuction with CRP) total annual payment $232.75

Rationale:  Kevin Kruse, JEO, (via phone call) and Theresa Buse, North Bend Village Clerk, reported on the completed North Bend Levee Repair Project.  Last summer, JEO presented the proposed levee repair project to the Projects Committee and requested future financial assistance.  The repair involving replacement of the damaged earth embankment and rock rip-rap is 90% completed by Pruss Construction at a total construction cost of $325,000. The total project expense including construction, design and legal expense is currently at $426,000.  It is anticipated that FEMA will provide $306,500 and NEMA another $51,100 toward the repair.  In addition, Theasa said that the City has also been approved for $62,000 though the Nebraska Building Foundation, so the local expense appears to be fairly low.  While no recommendation was made at this time, the committee expressed an interest in possibly assisting remaining local expense for the North Bend Levee Repair Project after it is determined what the local cost will be.. 

Rationale:  The Nebraska Cover Crop and Soil Health Conference is scheduled for Thursday, February 13 at the Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center (ENREC) near Mead.

ENREC is requesting our continued financial support of $1,900.

Rationale:  When TePoel left employment with the NRD she had 150.25 hours of unused vacation time.  

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.