May 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Pictures from a well drilling site near Linwood.

Rationale:  A well permit for a 250 GPM extraction well is attached for the NW NE 28-14N-9E, Saunders County.  This well will be used for part of the cleanup of the NAD cleanup southeast of Mead. 
The Committee asked staff to visit with the Army Corp of Engineers about the beneficial use of the water being extracted.   

Rationale:  It was agreed at the Coalition Board meeting to continue $10,000 annual dues.  

Rationale:  Attached is analysis of LPN spring water levels.  

Rationale:  Staff will water sampling wells in the Todd Valley Area along with the Phase Areas.  In the Todd Valley Area area, LPN will be sampling for higher sodium concentrations along with nitrates and pesticides.   

Rationale:  Attached is an invoice from LRE for $2,906.75 per contract.  Goals and objectives are attached for discussion, which LRE condensed from the 1995 Groundwater Management Plan. 

LRE is planning on having a draft update in May with all the additions and comments implemented into the plan.  At previous meetings, discussion on updating the variance scoring sheet along with conducting additional evaluation of SQS#2 rules and boundaries.  Attached are LRE recommendations with initial cost estimates. 

The committee will review the recommendations at the next Water Committee Meeting.  

 

Rationale: 

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

 

Rationale: 

3 wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	Shell Creek Cost Share	County
Ryan Loseke	Irrigation	$861.07	259.53	Platte
Francis Emanuel	Irrigation	$752.89	$0	Dodge
Brian Birkel	Irrigation	$1,256.12	$0	Butler

 

Rationale:  The NRD still have flow meter cost share sheets coming in.  Staff is continuing to approve the cost share for flow meters as LPN has grant funds from the WSF grant.  The grant will expire at the end of the year.     
 

David Hahn		$1,000.00
Jonathon Sobota		$1,000.00
David Sobota		$1,000.00
David Sobota		$1,000.00
David Sobota		$1,000.00
David Sobota		$1,000.00
David Sobota		$1,000.00
David Sobota		$1,000.00
David Sobota		$1,000.00
David and Theresa Novak		$1,000.00
Russ and Gene Novak		$1,000.00
Russ and Gene Novak		$1,000.00
Russ and Gene Novak		$1,000.00

We have a Pivot Conversion invoice and a flow meter invoice from Dan Wachal. The cost share amount for the pivot conversion is $10,000 and the flow meter for $1,000. 

Invoice have been submitted for the following: 

Name	Number of meters	Total Amount
Ron Klug	2	$2,000
Thomas Stibal	1	$1,000
Jeff McAfee	1	$1,000

 

Rationale:  The LPNNRD agreement with CSD will expire on June 30, 2025.  The LPN has submitted a grant to drill 10-12 monitoring wells in Wellhead Protection Areas.  UNL-CSD obligates the money to assist in the drilling of the test holes with analysis. The agreement includes the following amounts of $29,600 Y1, $16,600 Y2, $29,600 Y3. 
If the WSF grant is not approved, then the money will not be obligated.  

attachments

Rationale:  The Village of Mead has passed a motion to pursue a Source Water Protection Grant to update their Wellhead Protection Area. 

Postcards were sent out to Newman Grove and Platte Center Wellhead Protection Area producers notifying them that we will be water sampling in the area this summer.

Attached is an invoice for $920.00 from LRE for LPN to complete its portion of the project per contract for Shell Creek Analysis.  

Rationale:  An invoice for $8,426 for stream gages on Shell Creek near Columbus and Wahoo Creek near Ashland.  In the past, this was an annual fee, but USGS requested the payment to be semi-annual with the new contract. 

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.