May 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Below is an application for summer SWCP:
 

1-S-25

KYLE OSMERA

$                  15,000.00

TOT/WASCB

Rationale:  Below is a certified completed project eligible for SWCP payment:
 

24-S-3

TERRY KUBIK

$                     13,285.80

Terraces with tile outlet

Rationale:  Platte River camera invoice is attached and will be paid via prior Board approval of agreement.

Rationale:  NEMA Notice of Intent has been submitted.  JEO is curretnly developing grant application narative pending Governor's Task Force selection.  Billing (to the County) is currently at 99%.

Rationale:  Attached is a clean version of the plan with appendicies submitted to State NRCS in February.  Billing for this project (through Dodge County) is at 97% complete and should wrap up one the review is complete.

Rationale: 

The next SCWIG meeting is scheduled for June 17^th.  Moriah Brown, a PHD student at UNL, originally planned to present her work at the March meeting but is now planning to present at the June meeting.  Moriah's work is focused on antibiotic resistant bacteria in surface water samples taken from Shell Creek.
SCWIG planned and supported a tour in Lincoln for Volunteer Monitoring students on April 21^st.  The tour included guided tours at: NDEE Surface Water Lab, University Water Sciences Lab, Horticulture Production Greenhouse, Horticulture Specimen Greenhouse, Horticulture Hydroponics Greenhouse, Back Yard Farmer Garden/Urban Stormwater Example, NIC Plant Phenotype Greenhouse, and USGS Platte River Leshara Streamgage/Realtime Water Quality Sensor.
 

Rationale:  Construction update meeting attached, work is still focused on site 27, highlights:

• Shanahan used the good stretch of weather to wrap up sand drain installation, waiting on sheet piling for outlet sections.  Completed the east half of cutoff trench excavation/backfill.  Also completed excavation and riprap placement on plunge pool
• TCI waiting on principal spillway pipe.  Has enough material to start with other aspects (riser) before any schedule delays.
• Settlement plates will probably be installed this month as once embankment fill begins.

Attached are construction observation invoice from Olsson and construction update minutes.
Current TCI invoice attached.

Rationale:  NRCS informed Olsson that previously approved (26AB, 27) design criteria specific to sand drain outlets will not be allowed going forward.  This required some extra back and forth with DNR and current designs (55, 84) submitted for permit.
Andrew Philips will be present to discuss contract amendment (attached).
Invoice

Rationale:  Offer letters went out to all parcels for sites 77 and 85.  Danielle has been in, or attempted, contact with all recipients.  Elliott and Danielle will be meeting with a number of landowners the week of May 5 and expect to have mulitple purchase agreements ready for 5/12 Board meeting approval.

Current invoice attached.

Rationale:  Currently putting a mailing list together & postcards to send out to producers with information on NWQI. 

Also in the process of updating the Wahoo Creek Management Plan.

Rationale:  The next Corridor Alliance meeting will be on May 9th, 10:00am, at Lower Platte Sout NRD.  Attached is a draft agenda and draft FY26 budget.

Rationale:  The Hazard Mitigation plan is 92% completed while the drought plan is at 55% completion. The LPNNRD has contacted communtiies missing paperwork through calls and letters to wrap up the HMP. All community meetings for the drought plan have taken place. JEO plans to have a draft of the drought plan to the LPNNRD on May 16th.

An invoice and progress report is attached.

Rationale:  We received another application eligible for NeBSP, this is 5 year contract:
 

Matt Bahns

1.3

$325.00

Rationale:  Attached is information about the 2025 NRD Niobrara Basin Tour on June 9th-10th based in Valentine.  Registrations are due (To Jill) on or before May 9th.

more info:
The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), in collaboration with the Niobrara Basin NRDs, is pleased to invite you to the 2025 NRD Basin Tour.
Join us for an immersive two-day experience as we explore key projects and programs dedicated to protecting Nebraska’s natural resources.

Tour Highlights Include:

• CSS Farms - Seed potato operation
• Drip irrigation & Ponderosa Pine trials
• Fort Niobrara & Cub Creek Reservoir
• Minor Ranch & Niobrara Valley Vineyards
• Watershed management initiatives & Spencer Dam

Registration Information:
To reserve your seat, please submit your completed by May 9th. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Registrations received after May 9^th will be subject to lodging availability.

Registration Fee Includes:

• All meals, breaks and activities
• Motor coach transportation
• Lodging for Monday night (NARD will arrange hotel accommodation)

If you plan to arrive early and need a room for Sunday night, be sure to mark this on your registration form. All lodgings must be booked through NARD.