November 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Carson Stratman representing Yutan 92 LLC, is requesting a well permit for a fire protection well in S35-15N-9W, SE of Yutan.  Attached is information from Yutan Fire Department, NeDNR, NDEE, well permit and maps.   
Carson explained the reasoning for requesting a well permit for a fire protection well in a housing subdivision.  The Committee felt that a water flow meter should be installed per rules along with a PVC tube installed in the annular space of the well casing so LPNNRD staff can install a datalogger.  

Rationale:  A hearing was conducted on proposing moving a portion of the Richland-Schuyler Phase 3 Management Area to a Phase 4 Management Area.  The attachment "Phase 4 Hearing Documents" shows the area being proposed along with the rules to be implemented.  A draft copy of the transcript from the hearing is attached.  Below shows all the exhibits that were presented at the hearing with copies available at the NRD office.  
Exhibit 1 - Affidavit of publication of the public notice from the Schuyler Sun
Exhibit 2 - The public notice with legals (read aloud)
Exhibit 3 - A copy of the LPN Groundwater Management Rules and Regulations amended on June 15, 2018.
Exhibit 4 - A copy of the Rule and regulation that will be implemented for Phase 4 in this water quality management area.
Exhibit 5 - A map of the area being proposed for higher level management with 3 years of sampling results shown that included nitrates and uranium. A chart on the map shows the contamination levels and percentages.   
Exhibit 6 - A letter from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. (Read aloud)
Exhibit 7 - A letter from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. (Read aloud)
Exhibit 8 - Sampling results collected by LPNNRD staff for 2020, 2023 and 2024
Exhibit 9 -Sampling results shown spatially and collected by producers for 2022, 2023 and 2024
Exhibit 10 - A copy of the Vadose Zone and Groundwater Nitrate Study conducted by Daniel Snow and Jessica Garcia Nascimento showing the nitrates are a combination of sources. 

The Committee reviewed the exhibits and testimony from the hearing.  Questions arose from the hearing about how the samples were collected and not sampling the same well every year.  It was pointed out that, yes, the same well was not utilized, but it does show that a nitrate and uranium issue does exist.  It was suggested to work into the new regulations gradually and explain to producers that the NRD wants to work on a solution that might not solve the problem immediately but begin working toward a long-term solution.  
 

Rationale:  An invoice is attached for $3,830.75 for updating the Groundwater Management Plan (GWMP).  A second draft will be presented to staff on December 20th with Jon Mohr attending the Water Committee Meeting on January 8.  There will be a Groundwater Retreat on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 10 to 3 in Wahoo for all Board members.  Dave Hume from LRE will be at this meeting explaining all the updates done on the GWMP, groundwater levels and triggers with suggested changes.  Other items that can be discussed are groundwater quality, permits, flow meters and variances.   
Stakeholder and public meetings. 
Thursday, January 9 from 5:30 to 8 pm at the Educational Building in Wahoo.
Thursday, January 16 from 5:30 to 8 pm at the Community Building in Platte Center.  

Rationale:  Attached is an invoice for $3,909.50 for nitrate assessment of the Shell Creek Area.  This project will be discussed in detail at the GW retreat on February 7th. 

Rationale:  In the crop year 2024, the NRD voted to increase the allocation to 30 from 27 inches for the Colfax-Platte Water Quantity Management Area (SQS #2). This was discussed at last month's Water Committee Meeting to allow one more year with the 30-inch allocation but would like the rules updated by the end of 2025.  The Groundwater Management Plan should be completed by late winter 2025, with recommendations to include updating the Rules and Regulations.   

Rationale:  Attached is groundwater energy level fall update.  It was suggested to staff to utilize a minimum of 25 years of data for analysis.   

Rationale:  Attachment of water samples results.  

Rationale: 

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

 

Rationale: 

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

Well Owner

Type of Well

Cost Share Estimate

County

 

Rationale:  After ther hearing on November 14th, there has been increased interest in cost share items.  Questions about whether producers that are not in FSA program eligible for a flow meter cost share. 
Staff will be available to assist with online reporting at the Schuyler Library on the following dates:

• Thursday, December 5 from 1 to 3 pm
• Wednesday, December 11 from 1 to 3 pm
• Thursday, December 12 from 5 to 7 pm

Applications received:
Lanny Schmid - Cover Crops
N SE 30-17-3 - 40 acres at $5 additional over EQIP - $200
E SE & SE NE 35-18-2 - 120 acres at $5 additional over EQIP - $600
SW SW 29-17-3 & S SE 30-17-3 - 100 acres at $5 additional over EQIP - $500
Midland Land LLC
Soil Moisture Sensors - SE SE 14-17-3 - $750
Three Water Flow Meters - SE SE 14-17-3, SW SW 13-17-3, SE SW 14-17-3 - $1000 per meter - $3,000
Farmland Reserve
Variable Rate Nitrogen - NE SW 23-17-3 - 244 acres at $10 additional over EQIP - $2,440
Variable Rate Nitrogen - NW SE 24-17-3 - 168 acres at $10 additional over EQIP - $1,680.
Trish Vojtech 
Grid Soil Sampling - N NW 2-17-2 - 80 acres at $5 additional over EQIP - $400
One Water Flow Meter - N NW 2-17-2 - $1,000
Variable Rate Nitrogen - N NW 2-17-2 - 80 acres at $10 additional over EQIP - $800
Soil Moisture Sensors - N NW 2-17-2 - $750
Skytown Properties
One Water Flow Meter - SE SE 16-17-3 - $1,000
Cover Crop - SE SE 16-17-3 = 35 acres at $5additional over EQIP -  $175
Soil Moisture Sensors - SE SE 16-17-3 - $750
 

Rationale:  Attached is the version of the Water Treatment Cost-share that was updated from June 2024 Water Committee Meeting.  

Rationale:  Attached is information on the Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference.