June 28, 2018 at 8:00 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  No unfinished business items to address.

Rationale:  DNR notified all NRDs of a 4% reduction to the SWCP program; LPNNRD's allocation from DNR came in at $85,741.43 for FY2019.

The attached SWCP spreadsheet details how we ended FY2018.

Rationale:  CARL SOUSEK - Terrace w/ underground tile outlets                 $12,500.00 - Cottonwood Creek WS - Site 6-B.  This application came in late as they had hoped to secure EQIP funding, but did not rank out.

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  The Shell Creek Atrazine de-listing celebration held on June 15 was very successful with over 200 people in attendance which included Governor Ricketts and the EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.  The Board previously approved contributing up to $1,000 to help with expenses.   Attached are invoices from Awards and Engraving ($72), Penne Screen Printing  ($218) for name badges and polo shirts for the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group. There is also a $350 invoice from Schieffer Signs for work on watershed signs at Lindsay and Newman Grove. These expenses will be reimbursed to us from NDEQ from our 319 grant. 

Rationale:  We have received payment No. 4 request of $5,457.54  on the Kramer (Hamata) Shell Creek Bank Stabilization Project. The Hamata portion of the project, totaling $66,404, was an approved contract change order on the Kramer Bank Stabilization Project.  After this payment, there will only remain 2% retainage which is $1,319.90.  Since this work was completed under an approved contract, no Board motion is required. 

Rationale:  Work is being done to move forward on change order No. 2 to the Kramer Shell Creek Bank Stabilization Project (Vavrecek) .  While the Board previously authorized Chair Birkel to sign the change order when ready, it appears that it will be August before Kohl Construction will be ready to complete the project.  No new permits will be needed and we hope to bring this change order to the next Projects Committee for review details before work begins. The project plans are attached for your review. 

Rationale:  Ken Kotera has completed the project design and Mr. Sprunk is working with the USACE on obtaining a 404 permit.  Project Cost estimates are forthcoming. 

Rationale:  Matt Bailey reported on Shell Creek flooding that occurred from recent rainstorms in the Schuyler area.

Rationale:  1. Wahoo Creek Agency and Public Scoping Meeting Update
Agency and public scoping meetings on Wahoo Creek Watershed structure planning were held on June 12th.  While there was some discussion on dam sites 26a., 26b. and 27, which have approved federal and state funding to assist through construction, the main focus of these meetings was to present FYRA's preliminary analysis on the most cost effective and feasible structure plan. This analysis suggests an additional eight priority sites to be included in the final plan which could move into the design phase next year.  The highest priority site of the additional suggested 8 sites is Site 77, which was one of the original dam locations. It appears that this site may not need to include recreation to achieve a positive cost benefit ratio for the final project plan.  After design, the hope would be to receive federal and state construction funding for construction sometime in the future. 
2. Follow-up Landowner Letters/Meeting
While many landowners were in attendance at the public scoping meeting,  many either couldn't attend or were not aware of the meeting.  A follow-up letter was promptly sent to several landowners/tenants updating them on the Wahoo Creek planning process and preliminary dam sites.   Several landowners have since called or stopped in our office to discuss the plan.  We plan to have another landowner meeting in July to give others the opportunity to learn more about the proposed plan (presentation attached) and give comments. 
3. Eric and Elaine Alm Discussion Request on Dam Site 85
Eric and Elaine Alm, two of the landowners involved with proposed dam site 85 will be present to address this topic with the committee. 
4. Planning Scope Discussion
As mentioned, FYRA's proposed structure plan include 11 priority sites and 8 alternative sites.  Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), three of the sites 26a., 26b. and 27 that have federal and state funds approved to help complete these through construction by August 2022.  Besides the suggested additional high priority 8 sites, another 8 alternate sites have been evaluated . There has been discussion with NRCS about the possibility of expanding the planning scope to include one or more of the alternate sites in the final plan.  While there would be advantages to have more dam sites included in the plan, work to include more sites would increase the planning scope and would reduce available NRCS funding assistance earmarked for the upcoming design phase.  Committee discussion on this topic is suggested. 
5. FYRA Invoice
Attached is a $37,694.56 invoice from FYRA for work completed on Wahoo Creek Watershed Planning.  Since this work falls under a Board approved contract, no Board motion to pay is required. After this payment, $477,266.86 will remain under the planning contract.

 

Rationale:  It was reported that a meeting with Saunders County and JEO representative was scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, June 28th following the Projects & Executive committee meetings.  This meeting was to discuss using our available NET and NDEQ grant funding to help stabilize channel erosion where county road bridges are in need of repair or replacement. County Road Superintendent Steve Mika and County Supervisor Larry Mach were present and will present a list of potential grade stabilization projects we might partner on to reduce reduce channel erosion, improve water quality and protect county infrastructure. We have approximately $300,000 of grant funds that could potentially assist toward grade stabilization projects. 

Rationale:  No new updates.

Rationale:  No new updates.

Rationale:  The preliminary FY 2019 Projects Budget was presented for early review and input.

Rationale:  The Projects Committee meeting adjourned at 9:51 a.m.