October 29, 2026 at 8:30 AM - Operations Committee Meeting

Rationale:  We have nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale:  We are still anticipating a prescribed burn on the Snitily Wetland.

All the grass has been cut and baled on the Wanahoo property. We have found that Fort Robinson (G&P) can use all of our donated hay for their livestock. They are low on hay and most of their fence is still down. Staff has had difficulty locating an organization or agency to assist in finding away to deliver the hay to western Nebraska or locate where hay is needed. 

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting - To work with Fort Robinson (G&P) to get our hay donation to them for their livestock as disaster relief after this years wildfires. 

Rationale:  The O & M staff has been spraying areas of noxious weeds, continue doing maintenance on watershed dams and maintenance on equipment. Monitoring beaver activity at two dams and the culvert head wall on the Rawhide Diagonal Ditch.

Rationale:  The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Cottonwood 21-A design phase of the project was issued, with proposals due October 16, 2026. Three proposals were received by Olsson, HDR and Hazard Engineering. The review committee met on October 20, 2026, to review and evaluate the proposals.
Following the review process, the committee recommended proceeding with hiring Hazard Engineering for the project.

Also, after the public meeting in Malmo, there was a 30-day public review period. Not hearing of any comments or adjustments to the plan, the Board needs to approve the Supplemental Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) of Cottonwood 21-A and a Watershed Agreement with NRCS which can be signed by the Board Chair or General Manager.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting - To approve the Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment as presented, including any necessary revisions resulting from the public comment period, and authorize the General Manager to execute the Watershed Agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and any associated documents necessary to advance the plan through final approval and authorization.

Rationale:  We are still waiting for a response from FEMA on their review of repairs and mitigation.

Rationale: 

Following the September 30-October 1, 2026, flooding event, staff continues to evaluate damage and pursue potential federal assistance for three projects. Letters requesting assistance under USACE Public Law 84-99 were submitted October 28, 2026. NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) assistance request letters have also been drafted.

1. Camp Ashland Fuse Plug - Estimated Cost: $52,500

Floodwaters eroded approximately 50 feet of the fuse plug, which is part of the Platte River levee system. Repairs are needed to restore the structure. Staff is also discussing potential design improvements with USACE to improve future performance.

2. Sand/Duck Creek Site 16 - Estimated Cost: $20,000

Floodwaters displaced rip rap downstream of the grade stabilization structure, creating concerns about continued erosion and potential head cutting toward the dam. Proposed repairs include replacing rip rap and stabilizing the damaged area.

3. Keiser Dam / Union Township - Estimated Cost: Thousands to Millions

Flooding caused significant damage to the privately owned dam and surrounding drainage system. Staff is evaluating alternatives ranging from localized channel stabilization and sediment removal to more extensive grade stabilization or reconstruction. Costs could range from thousands to millions of dollars depending on the selected scope and available funding. Potential project partners include Saunders County and the Clear Creek Dike and Drainage District. Staff will continue coordinating with these entities to evaluate potential improvements, funding opportunities, and project responsibilities. Pictures attached.

Next Steps: Staff will continue coordinating with USACE, NRCS, FEMA/NEMA, and other project partners to determine funding eligibility, refine repair alternatives, and develop project scopes and cost estimates.

Rationale:  Stan Darling of Elkhorn Valley Trails was present to discuss their FEVR Trail Project. His handout is attached explaining the trail project from Fremont, Nickerson and Hooper. There is only 1 1/4 miles of the former FEVR track in the District (Aerial Map Attached). The committee stressed that our donation be spent on the portion in our district. Also attached are two pictures of bridges that will be re-decked later next year. 
The Districts Trail Policy is on a first come, first served basis at 50% cost-share up to $10,000.

Rationale:  Clear Creek D & D is concerned about Platte River bank erosion near the toe of the levee on the north end. The project will require Type "C" rock to line the bank and levee for approximately 200'.
This area is adjacent to the start of the MUD well fields. Staff has contacted MUD, but we have not heard back from them. Since the Clear Creek Levee is a federal levee, anytime improvements or alterations need to be made to a federal project, a 408 permit is required. Staff would like to request bids from three engineering firms to put these permit applications together.

Rationale:  We currently have the old Great Plains Grass Drill listed at $16,750.

Rationale:  We haven't received any requests.

Rationale:  For the month of September, the District received $3,935.50 in park permit revenue.

Rationale:  For the month of September, the District received $16,317.42 in camping revenue.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 19 times in October, with 3 NRD events. Revenue for the month was $2,175.
Sabatka had 27 building inquiries via email and phone during October. 
 

Rationale:  October: Annual well water testing/November trainings for ProducerConnect
November: Water use reports/ProducerConnect reporting

Rationale:  Targeted digital display ad schedule
ProducerConnect & Grant: October 17-November 15, 2026
Trees and shrubs orders open: November 16, 2026-February 15, 2027

Targeted digital display ads are banner ads delivered across multiple sites and apps. Below are just some of the sites these ads are shown on:
• News sites (Fox News, USA Today, NY Post)
• Local TV sites (KETV, WOWT)
• Apps (Newsbreak, Crossword)
These ads are targeted to 36 zip codes covering LPN district along with other demographics.
 

Rationale:  Top Posts for Facebook and X during September included:
• Land Judging contest (2 posts, 2,240 total views on Facebook and 81 on X)
• Bees and Brews event flyer (2 posts, 2,222 total views on Facebook and 51 on X)
• Reverse osmosis cost-share flyer
• ProducerConnect information/training dates
• Natural Resources grant flyer

Total posts for the month: 19
Total reach for the month: 8,953
Facebook followers: 1,942 (up 14)
X followers: 434 (up 2)

Because of Facebook’s ever-changing rules and limitations to free accounts, reach will no longer be available after October 31.

LPNNRD website top pages (besides the home page)
• Lake Wanahoo (1,350 views)
• Education (295)
• Producer Reporting (281)
• Downloads (250)
• Grants & Scholarships (227)

Traffic from other sites directed to LPNNRD.org
• Facebook (49)
• NARD (16)
• KETV (9)
• USDA-NRCS (8)
• Visit Nebraska (4)


 

Rationale: 

• October 7th: Land Judging Contest: Close to 360 competitors showed up to Homestead Lake for the contest. 
• October 13th: Wahoo 3rd grade field trip (75)
• October 14th: Seed Collecting Event (1)
• October 20th: Rescheduled Coffee Lakeside (12)
• October 21st: Bees and Brews (20)
• October 26th: Aquinas Catholic M.S. Lake Ecosystems (34)
• October 27th: St. Wenceslaus Pre-K Wooly Bears (22); Survival Club Foraging for Wild Foods ().
• October 28th: East Butler High School - Point and Nonpoint pollution; prairie habitats walk around at Timberwood. ()

Rationale: 

• November 2nd: Wahoo Kindergarten
• November 3rd: North Bend Student Job Shadow
• November 13th: Wahoo High School Careers
• November 17th: Bishop Neumann Survival Skills part 1 
• November 19th: Coffee Lakeside - Water Department; Bishop Neumann Survival Skills part 2
• November 20th: Mead High School

Rationale:  The Lower Platte North NRD covers the $3/person cost for the East Central Land Judging Contest every year we host. The total number of land judging participants this year was 280, bringing our total to $840 dollars. 

Rationale:  The City of Wahoo performed its annual system maintenance chlorination of its water system last month.  The RWD flushed hydrants within the Village of Colon the week of 10/19; this is done to ensure the valves remain functional and to flush out deposits that can build up within hydrant connection tee.
Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills to be mailed 11/2.

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills to be mailed 11/2.

Rationale: 

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Regional Rural Water System Evaluation was issued, with proposals due October 16, 2026. The review committee met on October 27, 2026, to conduct consultant interviews.

Following the review and interview process, the committee recommended proceeding with contract negotiations with JEO Consulting Group for the project.

The NRD has been informed by DWEE that final reviews of funding agreement for the study is in review with EPA.  DWEE expects to have approval to move forward by end of November.  The funding for this study is coming from EPA's Emerging Contaminants and will cover the cost of this study due to Prague and Malmo being impacted by the two emerging contaminants (manganese and PFAS) that have been highlighted for Nebraska.