February 27, 2025 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Attached is the updated SWCP Policy; 

• Cover Crop included as a "high priority practice".  Applicants will have to follow NRCS 340 (cover crop) standard/specs.  The maximum acres allowed per application will be 80 acres.

Attached is the DNR NSWCP practice payment schedule that the NRD will use for cost-share reimbursement.
 

Rationale:  Fremont is working with LRE and JEO on a groundwater model to help assess potential impacts of storm water infiltration basins.  It is assumed this model will be useful for modeling Fremont's proposed horizontal well, potential de-watering projects, and potential surface water augmentation projects.

Rationale:  The final West Fremont/Platte Township report (without appendices) is attached.

Rationale:  JEO received NWMC comments and plans to resubmit to the State by the end of February.  Partners need to have a preliminary discussion on cost-share and lead agency for the design phase.

Rationale:  The Contractor continues to make progress.

Rationale:  Dodge County is awaiting approval from the Diking District to submit the NOI and Grant Application to NEMA for Scoping (evaluation).

Rationale:  Next SCWIG meeting is scheduled for 3/17, 10:00 at Columbus FO.  Bos submitted one new onsite wastewater upgrade application:

Jeff Johnson    Onsite Wastewater    $6,000

SCWIG is helping UNL and NDEE organize a producer workshop in Lindsay on March 11th.  UNL will present findings from their work related to the hydrological impacts of conservations practices.  They are looking to get stakeholder perspective on their findings and discuss future scope.
 

Rationale:  Olsson expects to have the 404 permit and biological assessment for the final 6 sites submitted to ACOE by end of the month.
Olsson has submitted storage permit applications to DNR starting with site 55 
Attached is Change Order #1; the change is due to altering auxiliary spillway alignment to remain outside of existing ammonia pipeline easement which requires more rip-rap due to increased grade of spillway. 
Also included in change order is requested spillway approach; additional smaller graded rock to allow for a safer approach during O&M activities.
Invoices for first three sites (526664), and second (528244) six sites are attached.

Rationale:  There will be no new appraisals for this month however Olsson has forwarded final extents for sites 85 and 77 to Cody at Great Plains Appraisal for the next set.  We expect to see appraisals for them by next month's meeting.

Danielle and Elliott have met with all landowners impacted by WCW sites who wanted to meet prior to appraisals.  We are waiting for the final two parcels on site 55 and could have them by Board meeting.

Site 84 - Cerv parcel

Invoice attached

Rationale:  Agenda for monthly construction update meeting and Olsson field report (with photos) is attached.
Weather slowed construction progress for the month. Work completed includes:

• Rip rap hauled/stockpiled.  
• Completed rip rap placement on shoreline stabilizations at site 27
• Started plunge pool and creek diversion excavation
• TCI built pipe supports (formed concrete) for 26A and 27.

Rationale:  The annual Wahoo Creek NWQI agency update meeting is scheduled for February 28th, 10:00, in the Board Room.
Topics to be covered:
General Review of the project.
Review FY 2024 NWQI progress.
  *   NRCS "Applications and Funding"
  *   NDEE "Monitoring and Sampling"
  *   NRD "Outreach"
Discus FY 2025 NWQI plans.
  *   NRCS "Applications and Funding"
  *   NDEE "Monitoring and Sampling"
  *   NRD "Outreach"
Bryan Schupe is also scheduling meetings with Jake to discuss conservation practices and NWQI happenings.

Rationale:  Should funding arise, we will need to be ready to work with Saunders County and potentially lead the effort.

Rationale:  Construction is approximately 90% complete and the pond is currently being refilled.  NGPC plans to stock the lake in March.  Trail and seeding are left to be completed.  Construction is planned to be completed in May 2025.

Lindsay is requesting the remaining $25,000 of the $50,000 committed for their pond restoration project.  A letter of request and report narrative is attached.  Additionally, several pictures taken on January 14th are attached.

Rationale:  The drought mitigation plan meetings with municipalities are wrapping up. We have two left, with the Rogers meeting scheduled for 02/27/25 at 3:00 PM and the Yutan meeting in the process of being rescheduled. Once those meetings are done, JEO will be able to complete their drought risk assessment matrix and their recommendations for the communities.

Rationale:  The Trail-on-Rail grant is being resubmitted next week - same scope/project as previous.