May 29, 2025 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Adam Brockman, Conservation Technician, will be present to discuss status of SWCP projects and outlook for upcoming fiscal year.

Rationale:  Below is a completed tree planting to be approved for payment:
 

REECE KLUG

$                        488.80

Farmstead windbreak

Rationale:  Update from Director Tonnies to be given.

Rationale:  The Final Bend project is complete and we expect to see a bill from Colfax County soon.  An additional large stream bank erosion project is being investigated next to Christ Lutheran School.
NDEE conducted training for volunteer monitoring students in Newman Grove on May 22nd and Schuyler on May 28th.  Maslonka went to the Schuyler training - pictures attached.  We are working with Lakeview to set a training date soon.
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.

Rationale:  Monthly construction updates:

• 24" Principal Spillway pipe has been set at site 27 on 5/23.  Pressure testing to be conducted week of 5/27 (weather permitting).  Riser structure construction to begin week of 6/2.
• Foundation/sand drains completed at site 27.
• Shoreline stabilization at site 27 completed.
• Shanahan is planning on transitioning work over to site 26A as TCI begins riser/spillway work at site 27

TCI invoice #6 attached.

Rationale:  Olsson has addressed NRCS comments for site 84 and has submitted design to DNR for review.
Olsson environmental team will submit the Phase 2 404 permit to Army Corps of Engineers the week of 5/26; the Corps review is allotted 120 days.  There were no comments requiring reworking of biological assessment from any partner agency reviews.

Rationale:  Danielle will be available at Board meeting to discuss acquisition status and approval of purchase agreements.

Invoice attached

Rationale:  The appropriations bill passed by the unicameral on May 15th does not appear to reduce or limit our annual use of JEDI funds under contract.  As such, we will proceed as planned.

Rationale:  Postcards were sent to producers within the Wahoo Creek Watershed on Friday, May 23rd promoting the NWQI program. 927 postcards were sent.

Rationale:  The meeting was held on May 8th at the Lower Platte South NRD with all entities represented.  Preliminary results from the long term water quality trend analysis include: turbidity going down, nitrate decreasing, water temperature increasing, and dissolved oxygen decreasing.  The final report is planned to be published by 7/31/2026 with a preliminary draft available to the Alliance in November 2025.  Attached is the Alliance's FY26 budget.

Agency updates:
USGS = flows in the Lower Platte continue to be lower than average.  Lower flows account for turbidity at half of normal, water temperature increases of 10 degrees, higher dissolved oxygen, and lower nitrate.
NDEE & NeDNR are merged to NWEE
NDEE = will be sampling in the Lower Platte Basin in 2027.  E. coli assessment methodology changed which will make segments drop on and off the list rapidly.  As such, two segments of the Lower Platte will be delisted soon.
NG&P = Fremont SRA received upgrades
LPS = the Legislature took $2.9 million from their originally appropriated $8.3 million for the Mopac trail connector.  LPS has an airboat tour scheduled for June 6th with directors and 4 state senators.  They plan to stop at several project including the Highway 34 bridge and Lincoln Water Systems horizontal wells.
National Guard = looking to hire someone in FY26.  This person may have some capacity to support the Alliance.

Rationale:  The unicameral funded the project through the Biennial Budget passed on May 15th.  The budget states 'Appropriate $2.5 million from JEDI Fund for additional flood control project'.

Rationale:  The Lower Platte North NRD Hazard Mitigation Plan draft is attached.  This draft includes the latest revisions following the second round of meetings.  The draft is available for public comment from Monday, May 12 to Monday June 2, 2025.  At the end of the Public Review Period, the completed plan will be submitted to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for final approval.  This is our last opportunity to review the plan.  The Board will need to adopt the Plan by resolution at our June Board meeting.  Attached is a draft resolution.

JEO has sent the Drought Mitigation Plan draft for the NRD to review. Attached is the plan as well as the invoice and progress report.

Rationale:  The Wachiska Audubon Society was awarded a 3-year Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant to support prairie habitat preservation efforts.  At the August 12, 2024 Board Meeting, the Board passed a motion to "support the Wachiska Audubon Society NET grant and pledge $1,000 for three years beginning July 1, 2025."  As such, our first $1,000 pledge is on Bills Pending for the July Board Meeting and we will budget $1,000 for FY27 and FY28.

Rationale:  The Village of Colon informed the NRD that the Village's park project is expected to be completed this June. The Board approved up to $2,000 for tree planting and trail development.