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:  If there are no additions or corrections to the December 2016 minutes they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  Attached find Directors and Staff that are registered for the NARD Legislative Conference. Please let Breunig know if you would like to be registered.  Deadline is January 4, 2017.

Rationale: 

Our Director's Retreat is scheduled for February 15 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Benedictine Center north of Schuyler.  Topics for the day include:

1.  Manager Selection Process

2.  One to One voting for LPNNRD Directors

3.  LPNNRD Director Residence Requirements

4.  Groundwater Rules and Regulations

5.  Former Lickteig Property

6.  Lower Platte River Corridor Alliance (do we want tho have this topic pending 2-24-17 meeting)

7.  Basin Water Supply Discussion

8.  Look for method to reduce "Accrued Compensated Absences" over 5 year period

9.  Sale of Sand Creek Site 15 Farm

 

Rationale:  The NARD Annual Meeting in Washington DC is scheduled for March 18-22, 2017.  Travel arrangements will need to be made soon. 

Rationale: 

Our Education Program for January will be a report from Angle on 2016 Groundwater Levels.

Our February Education Program is scheduled to be Joe Birkel with a report on the Water Leaders Academy and Project SENSE. 

Rationale:  Minutes for the December 12 meeting of the Nominating Sub-Committee were prepared by Dave Saalfeld and are attached.  Election of officers for 2017 will occur at our January Board Meeting as the first item of business (following reports and the education program). 

Rationale: 

Discussion occurred on the Sand Creek Site 15 farm (former Lickteig property).

1.  The six month wait for the Ourada's claim expired in November.  

2.  A decision needs to be made concerning rental of the farmable and CRP acres.  There is one year remaining in the 7.3 CRP acres that needs to be assigned to a producer.  A rental agreement for the remaining 37.5 acres also needs to be made so that cropping decisions can be made for 2017.  Harvey Brabec has farmed the land the past three years.

3.  Are we considering selling the property to allow for 2017 farming?

The Executive Committee asked that this item be addressed at the Director Retreat on February 15.

Rationale:  Larry Angle has made the decision to retire with his last day at the NRD scheduled for March 3.  The Personnel Sub-Committee will meet on January 4 to decide the process we will to go through to fill the position with recommendations for the board's consideration at board meeting.

Rationale: 

Attached find:

     Minutes from the 1-5-17 Personnel Sub-Committee Meeting

     Water Resource Manager Job Description

     Staff time spent by each department 7-1-15 to 6-30-16

 

Rationale: 

     Water Department Manager Larry Angle has informed us that he is retiring and that his last day of work is scheduled for March 3, 2017.  A copy for the Water Resources Managers Job Description is attached.

     The committee discussed the position and the type of individual we would be looking at to fill the position.  The below schedule was also reviewed.

            January 9                   Board declares vacancy and authorizes filling position

            Jan. 12,19 and 26     Advertise position in Wahoo Newspaper

            January 19                 Advertise position in Lincoln Journal/Star

            February 1                 Applications due

            February 6-9             Conduct Interviews

            February 13              Board approves hiring of new LPNNRD Water Manager

     To meet this schedule we will need to have our first advertisement submitted prior to the January 9 board meeting.

     It was recommended by Ruzicka, seconded by Clausen to fill the Water Resources Manager position and follow the schedule listed in the Personnel Sub-Committee Minutes.  Motion carried.

     The Personnel Committee will be informed of when interviews are scheduled and any member that wishes to be at the office those days to meet and visit with the candidates is welcome to do so.

Rationale: 

Water Manager (1 FTE) Angle

Water Resource Specialist (2 FTE) Oaklund, Schomer

Water Technician (1 FTE) Benal

Summer Interns (3 = .7 FTE)

     Discussion took place concerning current water department staffing.  The SQS areas are creating a heavy workload for a department that is already understaffed.  We currently have Benal spending over 90% of his time on water specialist duties and need to reflect this in his job description and salary.  There is also the need for staffing at a technical level that would have lower responsibilities and a lower pay grade.

 

     It was recommended by Ruzicka and seconded by Clausen that beginning July 1, 2017 Benal’s job description and salary will reflect that he is a Water Resources Specialist and that a Water Technician position be created and filled beginning July 1, 2017 (pending approval of the job description by the sub-committee and board).  Motion carried

Rationale: 

Breunig (.26 FTE)

Rezac (.20 FTE)

     The committee again discussed the problems occurring staffing reception duties.  Breunig is spending much of her time with the transition to HBE 360 for our accounting needs and the need for scanning and filing assistance as Miyoshi and Angle transition to retirement.  Management asked that the committee be aware of this, but not to take any actions at this time pending getting Breunig’s schedule back to normal. 

Rationale: 

Gottschalk (.56 FTE)

Mountford (.54 FTE)

Miyoshi (.11 FTE)

     Projects are important to our district and with the loss of Mike Murren we are only dedicating 1.21 FTE (full time equalivents) to projects.  With approval of the NRCS RCCP grant, additional help will be needed.  The committee again discussed the possibility of having an hourly engineering technician on call that could assist with this shortfall.

     The other area where assistance is needed is someone to administer our grants.  The staff member who wrote the grant request currently administers that grant.

     Miyoshi has visited with retired NRCS engineering technician Ken Kotera concerning our needs for technical assistance in the projects area.  The duties include: plan review (blueprints), project inspection, construction inspection, working with landowners on project concerns, meeting assistance for working with NRCS, Corps of Engineers and other partners.  Kotera is willing to assist us at a rate of $30/hour.  A motion can be made to approve the hourly position or this can be sent back to the sub-committee for a formal recommendation to the board.

Rationale: 

Discussion occurred on leave time balances.  Director Clausen would like to see some method to reduce the amount of leave time carried by our employees to lower the liability we have when employees leave or retire.  We currently carry balances for annual and sick leave and he suggested we look at a PTO (Paid Time Off) system.  Much of the business community has moved to this type of system.  This item is on the agenda for director retreat on February 15.

Rationale: 

Update from HBE360

• By mid-January, we anticipate to release financial statements for the months of July and August, 2016
• By end of January, we anticipate to release financial statements for the months of September and October, 2016
• We will then be releasing the months of November forward as they are completed, with an overall target of being on a normal cycle (issuing one month prior by the end of each month) by the end of March, e.g. we would issue February ’17 by that time.

Rationale:  Beginning January 1, 2017 the IRS mileage rate will change from $.54 per mile to $.535 per mile.  LPNNRD mileage reimbursements mirrors the IRS rate.

Rationale:  Due to a tax correction in Butler County, LPNNRD will be losing $23.12 in Property Taxes that will be withheld from our January disbursement.  See attached letter for details. 

Rationale: 

Through our Game & Parks Wild NE grant the tree removal contractor has not started at Czechland.

There are no CREP payments.

Rationale:  We have filled in some erosion areas below the Wanahoo dam and will continue when weather permits. Continue equipment and vehicle maintenance. Posted signs to keep ice fishermen on the roads at Wanahoo. Did a quick inspection over our watershed dams. Continue cutting volunteer trees in many locations. There are many tree piles to burn as weather permits.

Rationale: 

The Non-Federal Partners met with FYRA Engineering on December 15. FYRA has performed a "Platte River Hydrology & Flood Frequency Analysis Report for the Federal Levee System".  This analysis was done for the Papio-Missouri NRD on the federal levee systems along the Missouri & Platte Rivers at the confluence. Using the Louisville gage analysis they have found that there is a significant reduction in flows of roughly 48,000 cfs pertaining to flood frequency. This review was accepted by the Corp and FYRA is now working with FEMA.  If this reduction is so on the lower portion of the Platte River, it may very well pertain to the Platte River up to Columbus and would affect the Fremont GI Study and how that levee system is designed.

The Non-Federal Partners would like FYRA Engineering to do an analysis on the Platte River at Fremont. This would be done in a two-step approach; first they will do a data/report review, model and gage analysis to see if the Corps numbers are correct. This would take 3-4 days, estimated at 32 hours at $125/hr = $4,000.  If the Corps number is wrong, it would take another 3-4 days to calculate new numbers, an additional $4,000, to determine new cfs discharges. These study cost would be shared by the Non-Federal Partners.

Rationale:  We continue to work with Fremont and Paul Gifford for placement of the box culvert.  Yesterday (12/27) we were informed by Fremont that they are working with Gifford and may ask that we buy out of our commitment to Gifford and that the city would assume the liability. We will work with the city to see what the financial cost would be for LPNNRD.

Rationale:  Heimann has been communicating with the COE on the deficiencies on the Sand/Duck Creek Dams. As time has pasted since construction was completed, there are areas of concern that need to be addressed since the project has not been closed out.  There are still concerns over the trash racks after modifications were made post construction, erosion issues in the emergency spillways in which land treatment is needed on the neighboring property and/or the property line, tile outlets that were destroyed and/or covered on a terrace system at Site 16 and wetland pockets that have developed in some emergency spillways.  Find all correspondence and descriptions on the issues between the NRD and COE attached.

Rationale:  Mountford and Heimann will be organizing meetings with County Zoning and Emergency Management officials after the first of the year. We will to go over the JEO Breach Mapping data to help each County recognize where not to permit building around and below our watershed dams.

Rationale:  Annually we purchase approximately 1,000 packaged trees from the Arbor Day Foundation for educational purposes during April to observe Arbor Day and Earth Day. We distribute 500 to the Fremont Eco Fair, 300-350 to Conservation Sensation Day and 200 or so to other request. 

Rationale:  Mountford has put together a Lake Wanahoo 408 RFP letter for engineering firms.  Find this letter attached. This information will also be advertised for three weeks.

Rationale: 

The general contractor, Uleman Enterprises and sub-contractor M.E. Collins have started the dump station. M.E. Collins has placed fabric and rock aggregate on the road. Uleman has bored in 600+ feet of 2" force main and dug the pit for the pump station area.

Attached find an application for payment from Uleman Enterprises for the Pump Station which was purchased and now in storage.  The requested amount for payment is $20,052.50.

A subsequent application for payment came in the day of Committee meeting for $62,493.66 from Uleman Enterprises with the pump station equipment it also includes mobilization, earthwork, aggregate surfacing & fabric and 2" force main. The committee motion was changed to reflect paying for the current materials and services.

Rationale: 

The Natural Resources Commission approved the District's Erosion and Sediment Rules and Regulations at their Dec. 12th meeting. Find the approval letter attached from DNR.

We now need to issue the order for approval with a recommendation. With that Order the District will advertise that Order for 3 weeks.

Rationale: 

The KTIC radio ad and the Wahoo Newspaper eAd for January will promote the 2017 schedule for the Nitrogen & Water Management Certification Classes.

Rationale: 

Staff have been working to complete updates for the FY 2017 Long Range Plan.  

Rationale: 

The next issue of the Viaduct has been sent to Suburban Newspapers for printing and will be distributed to area newspapers on January 10^th.  Distribution is planned for the following newspapers: Fremont Tribune, David City Banner Press, Schuyler Sun, Columbus Telegram, Albion News, Newman Grove Reporter, Humphrey Democrat, Wahoo Newspaper, North Bend Eagle, and the Ashland Gazette.

Rationale:  Continuing to gather model and pricing information for a new handheld, radio meter reader.  Hope to have a new device purchased in the next month or two.

Rationale: 

Monthly water samples have been taken and delivered to the State labs and meter readings have been uploaded to our software.  Bills will be sent out this week.

Approximate flow rate information has been supplied to Colon Rural Fire Department to assist them in planning for a proposed new fire hall.

Plan to meet with Colon Village board in January to inform them of our monthly billing charge for their sewer service.

Rationale:  Monthly water samples have been taken and delivered to the State labs and meter readings have been uploaded to our software.  Bills will be sent out this week.

Rationale: 

No unfinished business from the last Water Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

The District received one new application for an expansion of 27 acres from an existing well.

Rationale: 

No new update.

 

Rationale: 

Mr. Erickson has talked to Bret Schomer about his variance conditions for his new well and irrigated acres in NE1/4, Section 20, T14N, R7E of the Swedeburg subarea, which is also in the Restricted Development area.  Mr. Erickson may attend a future Water Committee meeting to discuss these.

 

Rationale: 

Four new permits were approved since the last Committee meeting.

Landowner	Number Of Wells	Number Of New Irrigated Acres	Type Of Well	County	Subarea
Terry A McDonald	1	0	Irrigation (Replacement)	Butler	Octavia
William K Becker	1	0	Irrigation (New)	Boone	Upper Newman Grove
Marian Meduna	1	72	Irrigation (Approved Variance)	Saunders	Weston
Joseph Birkel	1	0	Irrigation (New)	Butler	Octavia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total number of approved permits for 2016 is 28.

Location of Approved Well Permits for 2016:  Correct as of 12/28/2016

County	Irrigation -New	Irrigation -Replacement	Stock	Commercial	Municipal	Other	Total
Butler	1	2	0	0	0	0	3
Colfax	0	3	0	0	0	1	4
Dodge	2	3	0	0	0	4	9
Boone	2	1	0	0	0	0	3
Madison	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Platte	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Saunders	4	2	1	0	0	1	8
Total	9	12	1	0	0	6	28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rationale: 

SQS #1  (Butler-Saunders)

There are 30 irrigation wells in this area.  25 of these have a flow meter; the other five wells were not used in 2016.  All 25 flow meter reporting forms have been returned.

 

SQS #2 (Platte-Colfax)

Staff has continued checking flow meters and measuring water levels.  Flow meter cost-share applications continue to be received in the mail each day. 

Flow meter reporting forms are also being returned – 226 have been received so far.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are 9 landowners for a total of 11 well and pivot sites that have not installed flow meters in the SQS #2 area (see attached list).  Staff is proposing mailing letters informing them of our cost share program, that an acre inch penalty has been added for not installing meters during the summer of 2016, and encouraging meters to be installed by March 15th.  Meters not installed by that date could be issued cease and desist orders.  Two of these sites are part of our GWEL network.

 

Rationale: 

No new update

 

Rationale: 

No new update

 

Rationale: 

A total of 348 irrigation kits were mailed in 2016 with 84 water samples collected since Labor Day.  All sample results have been mailed to producers.

 

Rationale: 

Currently we have at least 5 well sites that supply water to two pivots each.  The landowners have applied for cost share on each pivot and each site requires an 8 inch meter.  If the LPNNRD cost shares on both meters it will cost an additional $3,850 for these 5 meters.

After much discussion Committee members felt that the LPNNRD should only fund one meter per irrigation system, as stated in the mailing to producers outlining the cost share program.

 

Rationale: 

At the November 30, 2016 Water Committee, motion was made to fund GWEL cooperator wells at $1,000 per 8 inch meters ($770 from WSF and $230 from LPNNRD = $1,000) and at $749 per 6 inch meters ($577 from WSF and $172 from LPNNRD = $749)

As of December 28, 2016, we have received a total of 141 applications.  Several of these still need to be inspected to insure that the meter is installed properly.  

Five well sites have applied for 2 meters each, but following motion of the Water Committee, only one meter per irrigation system will receive funding.

Therefore, for the January 9, 2017 Board Meeting, we will have a total of 55 cost-share applications to approve.

 

Water Sustainability Fund (WSF)
8 inch meters	52 x 8" meters or 52 x $770 = $40,040
6 inch meters	2 x 6" meters or 2 x $577 = $1,154
WSF Total	$41,194
	So Running Total WSF Grant = $102,983 of $200,000 grant
	So Remaining Total of WSF Grant = $97,017

 

 

 

LPNNRD for GWEL cooperators
8 inch meter	2 x 8" meters or 2 x $230 = $460
6 inch meter	1 x 6" meters or 1 x $172 = $172
Carry over (8 inch meter)	1 x 8" meter from Nov. 14, 2016 = $230
LPNNRD Total	$862

 

 

Total for Flow Meter Cost Share Program
WSF & LPNNRD	For approval at January 9, 2017 Board Meeting = $42,056

 

 

Rationale: 

2016 is the fourteenth year for this Phase 2 Area.  Phase 2 information packets with order were mailed to producers in June, before the start of irrigation.

This area was reduced from 32 sections to 21 sections in 2015.

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
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)

 

Annual Fertilizer Application Reports are being received.  Steve Semin brought his reports to the LPNNRD office and hand delivered them to Oaklund.

Rationale: 

2016 is the first year of this Phase 2 Area.  There are 45 registered active irrigation wells in the ten sections of this new area on the north edge of the current 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)

 

Rationale: 

2016 is the first 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.

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
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)

Annual Fertilizer Application Reports are being received.

 

 

Rationale: 

2017 Certification Classes for Nitrogen and Water Management

Class	Date & time	Location
# 1	Thursday, January 5th @ 3:00 p.m. (after Corn Expo)	Fremont - Christensen Field
# 2	Wednesday, January 18th @ 1:00 p.m.	ARDC - Mead
# 3	Thursday, January 26th @ 1:30 p.m.	Columbus - Ag Park
# 4	Thursday, February 7th @ 9:30 a.m.	David City – Hruska Library
# 5	Friday, February 10th @ 10:00 a.m.	Lindsay - Village Office
# 6	Wednesday, March 1st @ 9:30 a.m.	Columbus - Pinnacle Bank
# 7	Tuesday, March 7th @ 9:00 a.m.	Fremont - Extension Office
# 8	Thursday, March 9th @ 1:30 p.m.	David City – Hruska Library
# 9	Wednesday, March 15th @ 7:00 p.m.	ARDC - Mead
# 10	Thursday, March 16th @ 7:00 p.m.	Columbus - Ag Park

 

No online requests since the last Committee meeting.

Rationale: 

Poole has been working with Schomer on updating the acre certification database with the District wide variances that have been recently approved by the Board.  Poole will likely return to finishing Dodge County in early 2017.

 

Rationale: 

No new update.  For 2016 we have 478 renewals and 95 new permit applications for a current total of 573.  In 2015 we had a total of 515 chemigation permits.

 

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

Name	Livestock	Type of Permit	Legal Description	County
Helen Raikes Raikes Farm Enterprises 481 County Road 8 Ashland NE 68003	Cattle	Permit Modification	SW1/4, Section 16, T13N, R9E	Saunders

 

 

 

Description of permit modification of existing permit.  Two bedded barns are proposed with the elimination of 6.7 feed lot acres, so the total operation will be reduced from 70.8 acres to 64.1 acres.

 

Rationale: 

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

 

Rationale: 

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

Rationale: 

Angle and Oaklund met with Katie Cameron on December 20, 2016 concerning future plans for LPNNRD and ENWRA.  Water staff feel that future AEM flights should focus on confined aquifers or were aquifers are thought to be thin and of limited arial extent.  This would mean the Prague and Swedeburg subareas and later the Uplands of Saunders County east of the Todd Valley, the Platte River uplands north west of Fremont, and the rest of the Shell Creek watershed outside the current SQS #2 subarea.  Cameron felt that with the next WSF grant request period that ENWRA should apply for one large grant with several NRD's involved.

 

Rationale: 

No new update

Rationale: 

The last meeting of the Lower Platte River Consortium was held at LPSNRD on December 15, 2016.  Topics covered were WSF grant, BOR grant, and comments on the Plan which are due by January 10, 2017.

 

Rationale: 

Angle gave a power-point presentation with a summary of the GWEL in our District up to the Fall 2016 readings (see attached pdf file).  The presentation will be given as the educational program at our January board meeting.

 

Rationale: 

Ft. Worth Conference is in less than two weeks on January 9-11, 2017.

Rationale: 

Mary Wotipka attended the Committee meeting but made no comments.

The Water Committee adjoined at 6:50 pm.

 

Rationale:  No unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  Eric Gottschalk reviewed the attached SWCP status report with the  committee.  It was reported that the Governor's budget reductions reduced our SWCP allocation 4 percent, leaving $109,594 available for conservation practice cost share.  Of this adjusted total, $97,732 (89%) has been spent to date.

Rationale:  Dayle Alswager       Emergency Terrace Repair          $ 1,000.00

Rationale:  16-D-11     Darlene Kroeger & Dorothy Vacek      Tile/Terrace Extention     $ 1,547.00

Rationale: 

None

Rationale:  Darrell Kubik        Lands for Conservation          $ 2,891.70     15.3 acres

Rationale: 

Lands for Conservation Payments:

Douglas Kavan     $ 4,232.00     23 acres

Rationale:  The committee again reviewed the attached draft SWCP Policy and suggested changes.  The draft shows NRCS District Conservationist, Mark Walkenhorst's proposed changes for consideration.  It was discussed by Director Clausen that for the Lands for Conservation practice, that corn not be included as a cover crop or have a 35% payment reduction if corn is used.  After further discussion it was suggested that corn or other fall harvest-able grain crops not be allowed as cover crops under the  LFC practice.  The committee will bring this and other suggested SWCP policy changes forward for eventual Board approval by the April 10 Board meeting. 

Rationale:  Great news was received as the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan has been approved by EPA which now opens the door for obtaining federal grant assistant to help construct four designed Shell Creek Projects that are on the shelf and ready to construct.  The next step is to get a Project Implementation Plan approved by EPA and then a funding agreement approved by NDEQ. 

Rationale: 

As mentioned in 3.a.1. above, now that the Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan has been approved by EPA, Mountford has been working with NDEQ on completing a Project Implementation Plan (PIP).  When approved by EPA, this will make available federal 319 grant assistant to help construct four designed Shell Creek Projects that are on the shelf and ready to construct. The largest of the designed group of projects is the "Kramer Bank Stabilization Project", which is to stabilize a portion of Shell Creek located near Colfax County's bridge (C001901915) on County road 10, just north of road H.  This project has received a 404 permit from the USACE earlier this month.  We have approximately $145,000 of approved grant funds from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and another $100,000 to $150,00 is anticipated from NDEQ.  After the PIP is  approved by EPA and a funding agreement is approved by NDEQ, we will be ready to begin construction activities.  

On December 8th, a planning meeting with NDEQ was held at the Columbus NRCS Field Office, to discuss next steps for  Shell Creek Environmental Enhancement Plan Implementation.  A major part of the meeting was to plan the use of an additional $150,000 of NRCS Water Quality Initiative Funds that have recently been approved for the watershed. 

 

 

Rationale:  Director Bailey reported that the no-rise certificate has been approved and the USACE has provided some needed project information to the landowners.  The project design is now being reviewed by USACE and the hope is that no 404 permit will be required and the project be deemed ready to move toward construction. 

Rationale: 

Last week, we received notice (letter attached) that NRCS has approved our Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) application to help construct two Watershed Flood Control Dams, sites 26 and 27.  These are two of the ten previously identified sites in NRCS's 1998 Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan.  Over the next several weeks, Mountford will be working with NRCS on a funding agreement for using the approved funds over a five year period.  As outlined in our application's narrative section (as attached - page 10, question .9), we requested 50% ($1,589,300) of an estimated total project expense of $3,178,600.  We learned that NRCS has allocated $1, 500,000 toward our requested amount, but we are waiting to work out the final details.   

Below is NRCS's notification of our RCPP application approval as shown on their website. (The other Nebraska RCPP application approved  was for the Upper Big Blue NRD)

Investing in Nebraska

In 2017, NRCS is investing up to $225 million in 88 projects that impact nearly every state in the nation, including two in Nebraska. Since 2014, NRCS has invested more than $825 million in 286 high-impact projects, bringing together more than 2,000 conservation partners who have invested an additional $1.4 billion. By 2018, NRCS and partners will have invested at least $2.4 billion. These projects are leading to cleaner and more abundant water, better soil and air quality, enhance wildlife habitat, more resilient and productive agricultural lands and stronger rural economies. 

2017 RCPP Projects in Nebraska

Wahoo Creek Water Quality Sites 26 and 27

• Proposed NRCS Investment: $1,500,000 (Critical Conservation Area – Prairie Grasslands Region)
• Lead Partner:  Lower Platte North Natural Resources District
• Number of Initial Partners: 1
• Participating States: Nebraska (Lead State)

The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District in Nebraska, with the assistance of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, completed the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement under the authority of Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566). The watershed plan identified seventeen projects within the basin that will reduce rural and urban flooding, reduce sedimentation and scour, stabilize stream channels, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, enhance water quality, improve economic conditions and provide recreational opportunities. Seven of these structures were completed as an environmental enhancement project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Through this project, partners will construct two (Sites 26 and 27) of the remaining ten uncompleted structures as identified in the Wahoo Creek Watershed Plan to address identified flooding and water quality concerns.

To assist with the remaining needed local share, we should also start discussing plans for applying for additional assistance from the State's Water Sustainability Fund this coming July.   Because of the detail needed for preparing the Water Sustainability Fund application, the committee should discuss hiring an engineering firm to increase our chances.  One firm that we currently have on contract who assisted with technical information used for the approved  RCPP application is FYRA.  The committee/board may decide to advertise for requests for Qualifications/Proposals from other firms, but FYRA has helped with PMRNRD successful Water Sustainability Fund application for watershed dams, so they would definitely will be a strong candidate to assist with this task. Committee discussion is requested.

Rationale:  We are working toward making final project payments associated with the Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan Phase I Project and close things out by March 1, 2017. 

Rationale:  Mountford continues to work with NDEQ on completing a Project Implementation Plan (PIP) for Wahoo Creek Watershed Water Quality Plan Phase II.  We have $106,000 approved from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and are working to increase our initial $168,215 grant approval from NDEQ to $265,950.  Our plan is to use a large porttion of these funds to help build three multi-purpose road dams in the Wahoo Creek Watershed. One of the many benefits of these dams will be flood reduction.  Other grant and EQIP funds will be used to help complete landowner conservation practices during this project phase. 

Rationale: 

As was mentioned earlier, a planning meeting has been scheduled at the Army National Guard Camp at Ashland on February 24, 2017, with Board members from LPNNRD, LPSNRD and PMRNRD to discuss the future of the LPRCA.  We are presently a non-dues paying member, but involved with a few prior commitments. More details will be forthcoming.  As previously discussed, one of biggest topics for continuing with the Alliance is the opportunity with the upcoming Army Corp's of Engineers Lower Platte River new Watershed Restoration Authority.  This authority may lead to new federal funding opportunities for various projects in the Lower Platte River Watershed.

As was approved by our Board on December 12, we are also participating with LPSNRD and PMRNRD on completing the LPRCA Water Quality Plan.  When completed, this plan will cover most of our NRD that falls out of the Wahoo Creek and Shell Creek Watershed Water Quality Plans.  This will increase the area in our district that will receive outside funding opportunities from federal and state sources for various projects. 

Also attached our project close-out/completion letters from the Nebraska Environmental Trust  for two projects (Pier Removal near Two Rivers and the Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Sandbars). While LPNNRD was an equal partner with PMRNRD and LPSNRD for the pier removal near Two Rivers State Park, we did not contribute funds or support the completed sandbar study. 

 

Rationale: 

 

Rationale: 

The Non-Federal Partners met with FYRA Engineering on December 15 in Fremont. FYRA has performed a "Platte River Hydrology & Flood Frequency Analysis Report for the Federal Levee System".  This analysis was done for the Papio-Missouri NRD on the federal levee systems along the Missouri & Platte Rivers at the confluence. Using the Louisville gage analysis they have found that there is a significant reduction in flows of roughly 48,000 cfs pertaining to flood frequency. This review was accepted by the Corp and FYRA is now working with FEMA.  If this reduction is so on the lower portion of the Platte River, it may very well pertain to the Platte River up to Columbus and would affect the Fremont GI Study and how that levee system is designed.

The Non-Federal Partners would like FYRA Engineering to do an analysis on the Platte River at Fremont. This would be done in a two-step approach; first they will do a data/report review, model and gage analysis to see if the Corps numbers are correct. This would take 3-4 days, estimated at 32 hours at $125/hr = $4,000.  If the Corps number is wrong, it would take another 3-4 days to calculate new numbers, an additional $4,000, to determine new cfs discharges. These study cost would be shared by the Non-Federal Partners.  The O,E & RW Committee passed a recommendation for moving forward with this study.  It was reported that  FYRA has already looked into this matter far enough to confirm that this error by the Army Corps is substantiated.

The Projects Committee directed staff to work with our hired lobbyist, Water Strategies, on a letter to our congressional representatives expressing our concern and disappointment about all the elevated flood insurance premiums and project study costs that have been paid by property owners and local entities over the years as a result of this error. 

Rationale: 

Bob Heimann participated in a conference call with the COE on December 9th where several topics were discussed.   A meeting with Lumir Jedlicka is being planned for sometime next month to inspect his concerns with one of the levee access ramps to his property and to look at improving drainage along the levee.   

Schuyler's ditch cleaning project with the Army COE is moving forward as a bid was awarded for $82,810.  This project includes sediment removal, grading, shaping, and seeding of the south drainage ditch of Highway 30 eastward.  

The COE has now targeted completing the Operation and Maintenance Manual for the Shell Creek levee in February 2017. 

Rationale: 

PMRNRD has made their annual $150,000 payment request for LPNNRD's portion of the Western Sarpy/Clear Creek Project which was completed earlier this year.  We presently owe PMRNRD $432,490.94.

We have usually waited to make this payment at our May or June Board meeting, after collecting our May county tax receipts.  The committee is asked to decide whether to pay now or at a later time as has been done in the past.  

Rationale: 

Attached find the Emergency Operation Plan Calling Tree for the Clear Creek Fuse Plug.  At times of emergency those on the list are authorized to fulfill certain duties.

 

The timely decision to open or close the Fuse Plug Notch is critical to reducing unnecessary flood damage with the secondary decision to physically assist removal of the entire Fuse Plug also important.  Replacing the fuse plug costs close to $150,000 so making that second decision is expensive.

 

The ideal scenario for action on the fuse plug is a joint decision between Miyoshi and Martin.  In the absence of either of these two Zillig or any of the secondary point of Contacts could be involved.

 

At time of emergency when communication cannot be made between agencies or there is not time, any of those on the Primary or Secondary list is authorized to:

            1.  Mobilize the Contractor.

            2.  Give the order to remove the Fuse Plug Notch.

            3.  Give the order for mechanical assistance in removal of the Fuse Plug.

 

With Mike Murren is no longer available to assist with emergency operation we would like to add John Starnes to the operational plan.  John lives in the area and is a member of the Clear Dike and Drainage District.  He would be listed as a field observer and be authorized to make decisions on behalf of LPNNRD in the absence of Miyoshi.

 

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.