July 3, 2025 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Below are certified tree plantings ready for payment:

JOJO DUNN	$                          385.40	WINDBREAK
SETH MCGINN	$                          883.60	WILDLIFE PLANTING
TONY WHITE	$                          787.72	WINBREAK & HABITAT

Below is a certified terrace with tile outlet and basin project ready for payment.

DONALD KREJCI

$                     15,000.00

TOT/WASCB

Rationale:  The BRIC application was submitted to FEMA earlier this year.  Currently NEMA is awaiting feedback from FEMA since the BRIC program was official cut.  NEMA is trying to move as many projects to HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) or FMA (Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program) as they can.

Rationale:  The National Watershed Programs Branch has completed the programmatic review of the Rawhide watershed plan.  No major changes were needed.  State NRCS is in the process of making a few edits to the plan and Appendix A to incorporate recent correspondence from consulting parties, and then it will be posted to the NRCS website. 

The next step is a 30-day period for the public and federal/state/local agencies to review and comment on the draft watershed plan. During the review period, the County will host a public meeting to present the preferred alternative. County and NRD staff met with JEO on July 2nd to determine dates and location. The public comment period will begin on August 4th with a public open house scheduled for Thursday August 21th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Dodge County Extension Office.  Invitations will be mailed to landowners and advertised in the paper.

Rationale:  The project is finishing up.  Staff stopped by on June 17th - pictures attached.

Rationale:  SCWIG had a meeting on June 17th in Columbus where Moriah Brown with UNL presented results from surface water sample collected in Shell Creek.  Her work focuses on bacteria antibiotic resistance and microplastics. 

SCWIG discussed the recently completed final bend project - pictures attached.  A change order resulting in more fill being needed for the project than anticipated is attached.  Also, attached is an invoice from Platte County.  Total for project (including change orders) = $107,587.03 Action is needed on both items.

We also discussed a streambank stabilization and stormwater education project planned at Christ Lutheran Church and School.  Jovan drafted an interlocal agreement (attached) based on some preliminary discussions at the June 17th meeting.  The next SCWIG meeting is scheduled for July 15, 10:00 am, at Christ Lutheran Church.  Once we get feedback from partners, the Board will be asked to sign the interlocal (July or August Board meeting).

Bill also submitted a recently completed septic system upgrade for Dean Sander in Platte County, totaling $11,526.86.  SCWIG's share at 60% is $6,916.12.

Also, Elbert Traylor is retiring on August 1st - paperwork was submitted and signed.

Rationale:  Attached is the minutes from the monthly construction meeting, highlights:

• Riser construction started on site 27
• Channel cleanout on 26A
• Drawdown tube to be installed week of 6/30
• Rain

TCI invoice attached
Progress pics

Rationale:  On 7/16 Gottschalk and Elliott gave a project status update to the Saunders County Supervisors.  There were several questions on our funding status and projected construction timeline for the remaining structures.  The County is still planning on mitigating the two road impacts (Road P and Road G) that will be a result of permanent pool inundation.

Rationale:  On 6/23 the NRD met with representatives from FWS, NE G&P, DNR, ACOE and Olsson to discuss the biological assessment for the second phase of our Wahoo Creek plan 404 permit.  Discussion focused on construction, and first-time fill, timelines and impacts on Platte River depletion negatively impacting pallid sturgeon.  The existing programmatic agreement stipulates that "once a structure is built, there can't be more than 25 ac/ft per year depeltions to the Platte".  However, with this application, and our existing permit for Phase 1, we've had to address the "first time fill", which leads to more management/operational challenges.  Olsson will be supplying the review group a thorough set of stage storage documents, and our existing plan to help guide them through their review.  
The NRD, via Olsson, has submitted paperwork to DNR for permits on site 77.  The DNR review, and the NRCS national review, for site 77 will run concurrently.  We expect the NRCS review to take longer.

Rationale:  On 6/23, Elliott, Lausterer and Cody Gerdes presented to the Saunders County Board of Appraisers on the final parcel on Site 55 for the purpose of condemnation.  The mortgage holding company has been unresponsive to our attempts at communicating which is the reason for the hearing.  The Board sided with the NRD's valuation.
Danielle Allen will be present to discuss status of acquisitions.
Invoice attached.

Rationale:  The next Viaduct issue will have an article highlighting the NWQI program and how to apply. We are also working on getting a page on the LPNNRD website dedicated to the NWQI program. It will have information on the different eligible practices within the program and what is needed to apply. This is being coordinated with the NRCS to make sure we have the correct information and whatever else they want to mention within the NWQI program. We are still getting calls and emails from the postcards sent out in late May.
 

Rationale:  As reported last month; the Legislature appropriated $2.5 million in JEDI funding for "additional flood control project".  On 6/17 Gottschalk informed the Saunders County supervisors of the funding and the intentions of the NRD to work WITH the County to restore the Morse Bluff "dike" to a more functional flood reduction structure.
In the near future directives/details need to be communicated from DWEE (fmr DNR) and agreements need to be made with County.

Rationale:  Bidding was completed in April 2025 with construction to begin this fall.  

Rationale:  NEMA reviewed our Hazard Mitigation Plan, did not find any issues, and forwarded it to FEMA for approval on June 27th.

We are planning to do outreach with the public water systems in the district in regard to the drought plan and will have the plan on the LPNNRD website soon.

Invoice and progress report is attached.