March 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  At the last Committee Meeting only 2 members were present, so determining the meeting date and time was delayed.  It has been requested to change the day and time.  
The Committee agreed on the same day as the other meetings, starting at 9 am,

Rationale:  Harlan Jacobson received an approved variance for SE1/4 S15-21N-4W, Madison County in October 2024.  The well driller has drilled some test holes but developing a high-capacity well would be a challenge.  He is asking if he could try some test holes on the N1/2 NE/4 S22-21N-4W.  If he found a good source of water, he would pipe the water over to Section 15. 
The committee discussed informing the producer about the Ttem sled from UNL.  The other concern is locating the well in one tract and irrigating acres in the adjacent tract, if tract of land changed hands.  Staff will discuss the concerns with the producer.     

Rationale:  Mike Kubic is requesting to transfer acres from S21,27,28 -15N-5E to S27-15N-6E, Saunders County.  He would be requesting to drill a new well on S27-15N-6E. This tract of land is beyond 1 mile in the Restricted Area (Red).

Attached are the locations and UNL-CSD review.

Rationale:  This item is carried over from last month's Committee Meeting for Greg Kobza in S9-16N-3E.  
Greg explained to the Committee his plan is to call this a replacement well if the new well produces enough water.  He does not plan on attaching the 2 wells together but needs to drill the new well without abandoning the old wells initially.  

Rationale:  Scott Cassel of HF & F LLC has applied for a well permit to drill a 600 GPM well for a duck pond in the NW NE S20-16-9E, Saunders County.  He will fill this pond in October and November.  

The committee asked staff to provide more information at the next committee meeting.  

Attachments.

Rationale:  Lake Allure is requesting a municipal well permit.  From Sargent Irrigation, this will well would be used periodically with the current well but not connected. They would use both, but not at the same time.  From NDEE a map is attached of a list of the registered location of wells within 1000 feet of the coordinates given by the driller’s team. None of them are public water supply, commercial or irrigation wells, so I don’t perceive a state spacing law issue.

Rationale:  Flow Meter Cost Share Applications Received 

Merlyn Bell and Marty Eaton		$1,000.00
Lawerance Svoboda		$1,000.00
Robert Kluck Jr.		$1,000.00
Robert Kluck Jr.		$1,000.00
Robert Kluck Jr.		$1,000.00
Harvy Best		$1,000.00
Nancy Hinz		$1,000.00
Thomas Kluck		$1,000.00
Thomas Kluck		$1,000.00
Joan Hasenkamp		$1,000.00
Frances Kment		$1,000.00
Mary Ann Marxsen		$1,000.00
Mary Ann Marxsen		$1,000.00
Beau Klug		$1,000.00
Thomas Stibal		$1,000.00
Dean Novak		$1,000.00
Dean Novak		$1,000.00
Dean Bell		$1,000.00
Dean Bell		$1,000.00
Allen Svatora		$1,000.00
William Klug		$1,000.00
William Klug		$1,000.00
William Klug		$1,000.00
William Klug		$1,000.00
Hilland Valley farms		$1,000.00
Benjamin Klug		$1,000.00

For a total of 26 meters with cost share assistance of $26,000



Flow Meter Cost Share Invoice Cost Share Payment Approval 

 A Glenn Cluck Co. for $14,000 for 14 meters
Richard Wolta $3,000 for three meters. 
Gregg Melliger  $2,000 for two meters. 

RO Cost share applications that have met the standards for our  Domestic Water Well Treatment Program. 
Our cost share application states that LPNNRD will cover 75% of equipment and installation costs for a water treatment system up to $800, as well as the registration cost of the domestic well, which is $70. The following people is who we have applied:
Allen Svatora 
Allan Shonka
Tim Svatora 


Cost Share Total Dollar Amounts Updates 
Flow Meter: $200,000
Gravity to Pivot SDI Conversions : $80,000
Cover Crops: $1,630.00
Iron Chlorosis: $3,000
Fertigation Equipment: $2,000
Variable Rate Nitrogen Program: $800.00
Grid soil Sampling: $400.00

 

Rationale:  Flow Meter Maintenance is finished. Staff are working on inputting data received from Mark.  We did receive the invoice for meter maintenance. A total of 342 flow meters were serviced. Note that we did go over budget. The rate for meter service has gone up per meter from $70/meter to $80/meter. The original budgeted amount was $24,000. We received an invoice of $27,705.00. 

Rationale:  One last class is on March 18 at ENREEC, Ithaca, 7–9 pm.

Rationale:  The technical group met on March 3 where IMP reports were reviewed.  Attached is LPN report.

Rationale: 

1. Groundwater Management Goals and Objectives

The primary management target, defined below in the Vision Statement, is to maintain the ‘groundwater reservoir life goal’ - defined within the Rules and Regulations as the period of time which the District establishes as its goal for maintenance of the supply and quality of water in a groundwater reservoir. This goal can also be described as ensuring a safe yield for aquifers, which is the amount of water that can be sustainably withdrawn without causing long-term depletion or adverse effects on the aquifer and hydrologically connected water resources. The goals and objectives are intended to guide water resource management decision making.
LPNNRD Groundwater Management Vision Statement
Strive for the continuous management of the groundwater reservoir, in perpetuity, to ensure it meets the standards appropriate for its various uses, including domestic, livestock, public water supply, public health, irrigation, agriculture, wildlife, industrial, and other beneficial uses. Minimizing, as much as possible, the adverse impact of these uses on the quantity and quality of groundwater that supports lakes, wetlands, and streams.

By implementing the five goals and objectives shown below, the LPNNRD can ensure groundwater remains a reliable resource while protecting the ecosystems that depend on it. Goal categories include monitoring, pollution prevention, conservation, public education, and sustainable management plans and regulations.

• 1. 1. Goal 1 - To continuously monitor and assess groundwater levels and quality to detect changes early.
• Objective 1.1 - The effort to monitor and sample water quality will be continued and expanded as necessary focusing on wells with known construction data.
• Objective 1.2 - Integrate scientific advances and research into plans and regulations.
• Objective 1.3 - Repeat annual water quality sampling to help understand nonpoint source contamination.
• Objective 1.4 - Collaborate with various partners to review and expand the water quality monitoring network.
• Objective 1.5 - Maintain and steadily expand the spring/fall water energy level monitoring network.
• Objective 1.6 - Explore opportunities to obtain real-time water use and aquifer level data from dedicated observation wells.
• Objective 1.7 - Continue expansion of the dedicated monitoring well network, for both quantity and quality purposes, at critical locations in the District.
• Objective 1.8 - Ensure pumping of groundwater does not directly degrade water quality.
  1. 2. Goal 2 - To reduce the potential for pollution to ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality, consumable, and safe groundwater for all users in the NRD.
• Objective 2.1 - Utilize available studies and tools to gain a stronger understanding of groundwater flow and contamination movement.
• Objective 2.2 - Obtain and assess data that supports sustainable development decisions.
• Objective 2.3 - Explore efforts for cost share programs that promote reduction of pollutants to the aquifer.
• Objective 2.4 - Offer cost share for well decommissioning.
• Objective 2.5 - Promote cutting-edge technologies to improve application efficiencies as nitrate-reducing tools.
• Objective 2.6 - Proactively manage Phase Areas where vulnerable aquifers or excessive nitrate exist and recognize the importance of reducing nitrogen loading and leaching to aquifers that provide public water supplies.
  1. 3. Goal 3 - The LPNNRD will continue to encourage the use of highly-efficient water conservation management practices intended to maintain water levels.

• Objective 3.1 - Utilize hydrogeologic and modeling data to assess the impacts of new uses and understand the response of water levels to drought or reduced precipitation trends.
• Objective 3.2 - Promote efficient irrigation and farming practices to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance water retention and recharge.
• Objective 3.3 - Connect property owners to existing conservation programs that benefit water quality and quantity.
• Objective 3.4 - Create a strategy for managing water declines and supporting communities during severe droughts.
• Objective 3.5 - Continue management of Control Areas where thin or limited aquifers exist and recognize the importance of conjunctive management of hydrologically connected areas.
  1. 4. Goal 4 - Continue to be a resource for outreach and education of youth and adults emphasizing the importance of protecting groundwater resources.

• Objective 4.1 - Involve stakeholders in the review process to gather diverse perspectives and needs.
• Objective 4.2 - Expand public education programs to raise awareness about the relationship of nitrates to public health, along with other water quality issues and encourage water conservation measures.
• Objective 4.3 - Utilize hydrogeologic data and studies to provide an opportunity for one-on-one education.
• Objective 4.4 - Participate in natural resources workshops, county fairs, camps, and classroom presentations. 
• Objective 4.5 - Demonstrate cutting-edge technologies for water and fertilizer management.
• Objective 4.6 - Provide information and education through news articles, social media, newsletters, brochures, and the website.
• Objective 4.7 - Create a web-based graphic user interface to allow users to obtain and view hydrogeologic data and other relevant maps and information.

 

• 1. 5. Goal 5 - To develop and enforce Rules and Regulations and plans that balance usage with natural replenishment rates and reduce contamination.
• Objective 5.1 - Regularly update the Groundwater Management Plan and Rules and Regulations to meet changing water uses, emerging contaminants, and integration of the latest policies.
• Objective 5.2 - Align regulations with new state and federal policies to ensure compliance and leverage available resources.
• Objective 5.3 - Implement an adaptive management approach that allows for flexibility and adjustment based on monitoring results and changing conditions.
• Objective 5.4 - Continue active participation in Lower Platte River Basin integrated and drought management plans and implementation.
• Objective 5.5 - Encourage community participation in NDEE’s Wellhead Protection Program.
• Objective 5.6 - Utilize the hydrogeological based subareas to manage Control Areas, and as the basis for defining study areas for potential Phase Areas.
• Objective 5.7 - Regularly review and update the Integrated Management Plan to balance water uses and ensure sustainable water management, including maintaining instream flows.
• Objective 5.8 - Support and conduct special studies, research, and data gathering activities

Rationale:  At the Groundwater Retreat, a discussion on permitting domestic wells was referred to the Committee for further discussion.  

The concern is awareness of domestic wells being drilled at depths that might cause conflicts in the future.  

Comments from UNWNRD.  They will consider the potential impacts on domestic wells prior to issuing a high-capacity well permit in the area.  This will be done via our groundwater model.  As well, we spoke about the construction of domestic wells being a factor.

Finally, we discussed that in the UNWNRD mortgage lenders will have a well inspection  - including a water quality sample - done prior to approving the loan.

The UNWNRD does not permit wells that are not considered high capacity.   

Comments from Dick Ehrman:
Domestic (i.e. drinking water) wells that pump less than 50 gpm are statutorily exempt (and have been for decades) from NRD permits—see NRS §46-735.  So there’s that.  PMRNRD thought they would start permitting domestic wells back when they wrote their GWMP several years ago.  I told Paul Woodward that would be not only going against statute, but ABSOLUTELY NUTS.  Any idea how many additional staff members it would take to permit domestic wells, especially around Omaha and Lincoln????  In LPSNRD, we do permit non-domestic wells in our Remaining Area (the highly variable portion of our District outside of our Ground Water Reservoirs) down to 20 gpm, but the only real requirement there is a water quality sample for sodium, chloride, and TDS just to guard against saltwater intrusion.  In Lancaster County, the County Health Department does require some sort of permit/registration as well as an inspection, but I’m not sure exactly what their legal basis is for that, and whether or not they can deny a domestic well.  I know they do have requirements for wells in floodplains/floodways, but I try to stay as far away from that as possible. 
 
So, long story short, domestic wells <50 gpm are statutorily exempt from NRD permitting.  Period.  There are other possibilities as with what we’ve done, but honestly the number of 20+ gpm non-domestic wells in our District have been so small that we’re looking at getting rid of that requirement in our next round of revisions to our rules & regs.   Anyhoo, hope that helps—holler if any other questions.  Thanks!

Rationale: 

No new wells 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.

Rationale:  Tim Rickert has a well which irrigates through a pivot and a gravity field.  The gravity field is 19 acres with an existing meter at the pivot point.  The NRD rules state that fields under 20 acres do not need to be reported.  He is asking if he needs a second meter for the gravity field. 

The committee directed staff to inform Tim that a meter would be required or installed where all water use is reported.  

Rationale:  The group is planning on submitting an WSF grant to evaluate the Todd Valley Aquifer to determine where recharge is occurring.  Is there an influence from  the Platte River, Dakota Aquifer or natural occurring?    

Rationale: 

Discussion at the Board Retreat revealed support for additional groundwater monitoring wells.  Recent meetings with communities in the NRD also revealed a need for additional monitoring wells.  Staff believe a Water Sustainability Fund (WSF) grant focused on test holes and monitoring wells in community Source Water Protection areas has a high probability of being funded.  With that, staff have been prioritizing communities and working with Katie at ENRWA to develop a rough draft.  At this time, staff recommend drilling a test hole in 10 communities and designing monitoring wells based on data collected from the test holes.  This may include 1 to 3 monitoring well(s) at different depths per community.  All test holes will be drilled by CSD first, and then we will contract out well drilling until funds are depleted.  Communities include: Abie, Bellwood, Cedar Bluffs, David City, Malmo, Mead, Newman Grove, Prague, Weston, and Yutan. 

The NRD would be applying for approximately $416,000. The NRD would then be responsible for 40%, or approximately $166,400. This includes the cost of drilling test holes, monitoring well construction, data logger cost, and Hydrovu subscription costs for the next 3 years.