March 9, 2026 at 1:30 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.

 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda?

Rationale:  Attached find Tom Mountford's meeting report from the Commission Meeting on February 25, 2026.  Along with the meeting report, find fund balance reports. 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  The NARD Washington DC Meeting is scheduled for March 29 - April 1st and the following are attending: Gottschalk, Chapman, Sabatka, McKnight and Saalfeld
  

Rationale:  Gottschalk, Tonnies and Engel attended the NACD annual Meeting in San Antonio February 15-19.  They can give an update. 

Rationale:  Attached find absence request from Director Harders for the January Meeting (Dr. Appointments) and Director Tonnies for the March Meeting (Ag Conference out of State).  

Rationale:  JEO - Rawhide WFPO and East Fremont Drainage - March Board Meeting
IMP - DWEE - August Board Meeting 

Rationale: 
The following directors filed for re-election:
SubDistrict 1 - Lon Olson - 4 years
SubDistrict 1 -  Vacant  - 2 years
SubDistrict 2 -  John Goldsberry - 4 years
SubDistrict 3 -  David Saalfeld - 4 years
SubDistrict 4 - Chris Yosten - 4 years
SubDistrict 5 - Mark Seier - 4 years
SubDistrict 6 - Vacant  - 4 years
SubDistrict 7 - Vacant - 4 years
SubDistrict 8 - Jerry Johnson - 4 years
SubDistrict 9 - Vacant - 4 years
At Large - Thomas McKnight - 4 years


 

Rationale:  Our current agreement with AMGL, PC has expired. We asked for Kyle Overturf for an updated agreement which follows our current agreement with HBE360 for the years ending June 30, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 (see attached).


 

Rationale:  We have a meeting scheduled with Mr. Hansen, his attorney and Jovan for Friday March 13th at 10:00 am.  Plans are to begin working out how the trust will be set up and the management agreement details.

Rationale:  The FEMA 428 Funds ($950,684.40) were deposited in our bank on Wednesday, February 25th. These funds are reimbursement to the District for our equipment, generator and storage building purchases over the past 5 years.

Rationale:  We are looking for a date to hold an Open House. The Executive Committee is suggesting Friday, March 27th from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. discussion is requested.  

Rationale:  Our Assistant Water Resource Manager position will remain open until March 9th.  We look to receive a good pool of qualified applicants by the application deadline.

Rationale:  Grant will be available to discuss the January financial statement. 

Rationale:  Attached find Gottschalk's time and expense sheets. 

Rationale:  Colfax County notified us of a tax roll correction on a piece of real estate for tax years 2023, 2024 and 2025 totaling $408.56.  This amount will be deducted from our February collections. (see attachment) 

Rationale:  There is nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale:  We are working with the NRCS, who is contracting with a burn contractor to burn the160 acre Snitily Pheasants Forever tract.
We have prepared to burn 150 acres of Wanahoo property on the east side along Hwy 109. This will be burned in cooperation with NRD staff, G & P, and Pheasants Forever when the weather allows.

Rationale:  The O & M crew continues to remove invasive trees along the Clear Creek Levee, Rawhide Ditch 8, at Czechland and Wanahoo.

Rationale:  HDR is working on the questions/comments the NRCS Watershed Programs Branch made in their Programmatic review.
Staff has started an RFP draft for the rehabilitation design for Cottonwood 21-A. It may be ready by the March Board meeting.

Rationale:  We have not heard from Houston Engineering, who is working with FEMA in figuring out cost/benefit ratios for replacement repairs and mitigation repairs.

Rationale:  NET notified the District that we would be awarded grant funding for a new No-Till grass drill. We will get updated quotes from three dealers and proceed. 

Rationale:  The new tree cooler is almost complete. The refrigeration company has to make some final connections and a test run.  Trees will arrive in April.

Rationale:  Staff will develop a procedure for purchasing diesel and gas for our fuel barrels. We will call on local fuel providers, as needed, to get prices for the approximate quantity we need.

Rationale:  We have not received any applications or cost-share request. 

Rationale:  For the month of January, the District received $3,450.50 in park permit revenue.

Rationale:  For the month of January, the District received $2,837.39 in camping revenue.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 9 times in February. Revenue for the month was $1,225.

Rationale:  KTIC schedule:
January: Water Management/Nitrogen Certification
February: Trees & Shrubs 
March: Environment Education

Digital display ad schedule:
Tree orders continue through February 28, 2026

Rationale:  Top five posts:

1. Lake Wanahoo KETV skycam - 19,463 views
2. LPNNRD public hearing GWMP - 1,722 views
3. Seeking assistant water manager 1,111+ views
4. February Coffee Lakeside 360 views
5. Abandoned wells 306 views

The website had 2,475 views. Top pages visited were the home page, Lake Wanahoo, Forestry, Downloads, and Nitrogen certification/Water conservation classes. 

RedThread has received the information to add the live feed from the new camera onto our website. No set deadline yet as to when it will be live on the website.
 

Rationale:  The Winter Viaduct and Annual Report was printed on January 28 and sent to area newspapers for inserting in the second and third weeks in February. Printed copies are available in the office and a digital copy is available at lpnnrd.org/downloads.

Rationale:  We would like to continue our successful partnership Nebraska Public Media by sharing one our videos for a 2-3 month period during the Wednesday educational programming. This placement has been a great addition to expanding awareness of the LPNNRD to families in our district and across the state.

This year we would like to share the recreation video since the March - May aligns well with seasonal outdoor activities. Attached is the proposal Nebraska Public Media (TV only option) has provided that fits within the current budget. The dates will be adjusted after board approval.

As a note, these are the previous shared videos:
2025 - Operations and Maintenance video discussing projects and structures across the district.
2024 - Information and Education video discussing reaching audiences from 1 to 100.
 

Rationale:  On February 12, LPNNRD's "Healthy Water, Healthy Future" newsletter was emailed to producers.
Topics included: 
• SQS #2 area informational meeting
• March 9th Groundwater Management Plan hearing
• cost-share programs available in Shell Creek and Wahoo Creek 
• domestic well water cost-share

The email was delivered to 1,187 users with a 45% open rate. 90 of those users clicked on one of the links to view additional information. 

A copy is attached.

Rationale: 

• February 4th: Survival Club - Foraging for wild foods (16)
• February 6-7th: NACEE Conference
• February 10th-11th: Bishop Neumann MS (20) Survival Skills over two days
• February 11th: Fremont HS AM (22) Pollination/Bumble Bee Atlas
• February 12th AM: Coffee Lakeside (20) Cold Stratification
• February 12th PM: North Bend HS Career Fair (18)
• February17th: St. Wenceslaus Pre-K - animal safari (16)
• February 24th: Survival Club - Map Reading ()

Rationale: 

• March 3rd: Platte Co Ag Literacy Festival — Columbus 
• March 12th: Coffee Lakeside 
• March 20th: Fremont Elementary STEM Day
• March 25th: FFA Convention — Lincoln

TBD: Survival Club; St. Wenceslaus Pre-K; classroom visits

Rationale:  Bishop Neumann's video to our board. 
https://cdolinc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/kurt-heideman_cdolinc_net/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fkurt%2Dheideman%5Fcdolinc%5Fnet%2FDocuments%2FOther%20Folders%2FAttachments%2FGarden%20Grant%20Video%2EMOV&ga=1&referrer=StreamWebApp%2EWeb&referrerScenario=AddressBarCopied%2Eview%2E00858fbf%2Dbde5%2D4e6b%2D9355%2D40e84d3b4992 

Rationale:  April and May are the busiest months of the school year. We will have field trips, Spring Conservation Sensation, and more events coming up that I can always use more help with. If you are interested in volunteering, please let me know and I will add you to the list. Once you are on the list, I'll send out the information for the upcoming event, and you can decide if it works for your schedule. Thank you in advance for your help!

Rationale:  Our first Native Nook project is underway! The viaduct showcased this new program, and we've received a lot of great feedback and interest. More projects are in the que. 

Rationale:  We received partial funding for the Watchable Wildlife Grant. Currently, the Wahoo High School shop class students are building the bird feeding structure. Once it's complete, Jon will get it into the ground on the east side of Lake Wanahoo near the picnic shelter that is north of the Ed building. Bird seed, feeders, and containers will be purchased next. Lacey is working on the bird ID signage that will be placed near the feeder. The last component will be a community communication piece, where people can write down the species they see and drop it into an iron ranger. Then I will transfer it to a board where we will keep track of species seen and their totals. We plan to have a grand opening at the end of April and close out the grant in early May. 

Rationale:  The RWD is reviewing current rate schedules for the upcoming fiscal year.  We have not adjusted the rates since 2022.  Attached are the current rate schedules.

Rationale:  Routine sampling completed, meters read and bills to be mailed 2/27.

Rationale:  Routine sampling completed, meters read and bills to be mailed 2/27.

Rationale:  Larry Scott which Jeffery Scott is representing was approved for a variance in 2023. He applied for a well permit in spring 2024 (LPN-024-1872) and paid in November. The well permit lapsed as of November 2025. Jeffery is asking for an extension on his well permit application as he has a well driller waiting to drill the well.   Jeff drilled numerous test holes to find a location and then contacted Katie Cameron to assist in finding a location.  

Rationale:  Juranek Ag LLC would like to transfer irrigated acres from Butler County Solar LLC.  The tract SW S36-17N-3E is for 99.20 acres from NW S15-16N-1E, Butler County for 143.26 acres.  Staff have received the necessary paperwork.  Galen Juranek has applied for a replacement well permit for G-158723, which will be drilled in the SW NW Section 31-17-4, Butler County.
Staff presented the score of 237 for this tract, which when approving variances a minimum score of 300 is needed.  The Committee asked if one well would be sufficient in the future and was concerned about other water users in the vicinity.  They would like to ask Galen if he thinks he will need a supplemental well in the future and any water issues in the area.  

No action was taken by the Committee and staff will be contacting Galen.

Staff visited with Galen on Wednesday, March 4, to discuss his options.  Staff revisited the scoring sheet of this tract and Galen showed the location of the replacement well, which is east of the tract.  As this area had line breaks in this area of saturated thickness, specific yields and transmissivity, this changed the score to 280.12.  The groundwater consumptive use in the original tract was 24 acre feet with the receiving tract having 18.58 acre feet.     

Information attached

Rationale:  The hearing is set for March 9th at 11 am in the Board Room at Wahoo.  SPHEROS Environmental (LRE) will update the Committee on the progress of the scoring sheets and quantity rules and regulations.

A motion to approve the Groundwater Management Plan, March 2026 could be entertained.  

An invoice is attached for $4,115.50 from SPHEROS for work on these projects.  

 

Rationale:  Discussion on classification of wells, like changing an irrigation well to an Other or livestock well.  
Staff will work with Bob Meduna to present a policy for the next Committee meeting. 

Rationale:  Benjamin Klug - $2,325
Brazada Farm LLC - $2,246
David Sobota - $2,220 
Hill and Valley Farms INC - $1,500
Jason Swanson - $2,100
Jonathon Sobota - $468
Joseph Birkel - $3,534
Lukas Steinkruger - $2,982
Ronald Henggeler - $924
Ryan & Dean Preister - $4,356
Scott Cernin - $1,200
Travis Runge - $4,622
Upper Clear Creek LLC - $5,739
William Klug - $4,200
Wolfe Ranch LLC - $1,920
Lanny Schmid - $3,750 

Total - $44,086

A motion will be needed.

Rationale:  A meeting was held on February 25 at 10 am in Humphrey with about 30 producers in attendance.  Staff presented the information proposed by the Committee.  The only comment is that they do not like the rolling allocation. If the NRD requires a model for each new well by the producer, the NRD will have to extend a groundwater model into that area for producers to work from.   

Rationale:  RO Unit for Mike Inselman — 18.9 mg/L before installation. 
 

Rationale:  Invoice attached.  Staff explained that this is part of the service contract that will need to be paid after NRD staff starts using the software.  All the information is not in longitude at this time, but the plan is to have it going in March. Staff will hold onto to the payment until it is up and going.  

Rationale:  The final meeting will be held March 10th at ENREC starting at 6 pm.  Lindsay meeting was held on February 25 at 1 pm.

Rationale:  Upcoming Meetings:
March 2nd — Technical Committee will meet in Kearney (1-3)
March 18th — Management Committee will meet in Ord (11-1)
April 15th — Directors Meeting will meet in Wahoo (10 -12)

Bob Hilger is the LPN representative with Dave Saalfeld as alternate for the Directors Group.  There are 7 NRDs and DWEE in the Coalition.  

 

Rationale:  -A letter has been sent out to Linwood residents for domestic water sampling. This will take place the week of March 9th. The letter has also been posted to Linwood's Facebook account. Letter is attached below. 

-2026 water sample plan completed. 

Rationale: 

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

Rationale: 

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

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County

 

Rationale:  The following invoices have been received and are ready for payment. 

-Thomas Ficthl - 4 flow meters - $4,000
- Nancy/Jeremy Killham - 2 flow meters - $2,000
- Kathleen Liemsec - 1 flow meter - $1,000
- Robert Kluck Jr - 11 flow meters - $11,000

Total - $18,000

Rationale:  The City of Newman Grove is willing to have us put a nested dedicated monitoring well at their public golf course. Attached is a map of the location discussed.

Recommended Motion: Begin RFP process for monitoring wells in Newman Grove to be constructed by October 1st.

Rationale:  Malmo Desktop Contaminant Source Inventory and the in-field Contaminant Source Inventory have been completed. The aquifer analysis of the area is being reviewed by DWEE. The LPNNRD is currently working on the Contaminant Management Strategy Guide. Public Meetings for the Wellhead Protection Plan adoption are likely to begin in April.

Rationale:  In this presentation, current rules & regs are summarized for water quality management areas (stop on slide 5). At the next committee meeting, this presentation will include proposed changes.

Rationale:  Attached is our current SWCP policy for review and approval.  Also attached is the FY27 NSWCP Practice Payment schedule from NDEE.  Historically we use NDEE's costs for our cost-share.

Rationale:  Last month staff requested input on updating our existing small dam policy.  We've received input from surrounding NRDs, and staff, to direct how we could update our policy and budget for future projects.  Attached are a FY breakdown of small dam projects from UBBNRD, and their landowner commitment form.
Items to consider:

• Costs for small dams - $70,000 - $90,000.  Cost-share percentages?  Budget considerations (1-2 structures per year)
• Rehabilitation vs new ranking?  Are landowners willing to maintain the structure's embankment (control trees, rodents, etc).
  • Location of structure within priority watersheds
• Applicant deposit - 2%-5% estimated cost?

We also have a number of private structures that are licensed/permitted through the state (map attached), similar to the Stan Keiser structure.  Bob H provided input that is relevant to developing a separate policy addressing rehabilitation/renovation work for these permitted structures:

Regulated/Permitted by the State

For request of rehabilitation of Regulated/permitted dams by DWEE - NE Dam Safety. The private landowner must obtain an engineer. The engineer will provide a scope for a plan, an estimate for design, and a design. This Scope will then be sent to NE Dam Safety for review, approval and permitting to rehabilitate. The landowner can then present it to the LPNNRD. The landowner can then pursue a contractor for construction and obtain a bid(s). The District decides on how much to cost-share.

Unregulated dams

Upon request by a private landowner, NRD staff will visit the site to be rehabilitated. NRD staff evaluate the site using a priority/criteria list to score the project. If the site is approved by NRD staff and Board the landowner would work through the NRCS for technical assistance for design and construction estimate. The landowner would obtain bids from contractors. The landowner presents construction cost to the NRD for approval of a percentage.

Rationale:  As discussed at last month's meeting; we are awaiting a formal request from Stan with an engineering plan and cost estimate.

Rationale:  JWMAB held a meeting on February 12th.  Items of note discussed include:

• City of Fremont will draft a new interlocal agreement for consideration by the boards of all members
• East Fremont - JEO will continue cataloging existing easements and develop a phased plan for cleaning drainage ditches.

Rationale:  Christ Lutheran project is awaiting Corps permit.
Our abstract submissions were accepted for the SCWS conference July 26-29th and hotel rooms have been reserved.  Staff will begin working with schools on logistics.
Next meeting TBD.

Rationale:  Our monthly construction update meeting occurred on 2/19 at Site 26B.  Items discussed below and progress pictures attached, all work completed last month at 26B:

• Shanahan completed plunge pool excavation on site 
• Majority of aggregate and type B riprap placed at plunge pool 
• TCI placed 24" principal spillway pipe supports at 
• TCI installed sand drain outlets and sheet pile headwalls for foundation drains 
• Shanahan placed fill in core trench (heading west) through existing creek channel 
• Shanahan started placement of fill in embankment footprint

Work planned for upcoming month will be focused on sand drain placement, riprap hauling, and depending on weather conditions, principal spillway installation (26B) and riser pours (26A).

During our construction update meeting we met with Scott Subbert (well/septic contractor) about the existing well and septic system impacted by 26B (Bryan Bartek property).  The well will not be impacted, but the existing septic system will need to be relocated, which was included in construction contract as part of easement acquisition.  Olsson survey crew marked out permanent pool and flood pool elevations to show Subbert where he could place new system.  Bartek was on site as well and all parties are in agreement to the plan for installation moving forward.

TCI invoice attached

Rationale:  On 2/17 we had a meeting with NE G&P, FWS, NRCS and Olsson to discuss our Biological Assessment (BA) for our 404 permit on the final six WCW sites.  There was concern about Platte river depletion negatively affecting Pallid sturgeon spawning season (4/1-7/1).  A final BA is being drafted by Olsson for review by partners outlining a plan to address filling the dams to coordinate with spawning timelines.

Site 55 is currently going through final review/approval at NDEE Dam Safety.
Site 84 will be submitted early spring to NDEE.
We expect to have site 77 back from NRCS National Watershed review within the coming weeks.

Rationale:  Updates on acquisitions meetings with sites 66 & 86.
Updates on outstanding acquisitions - Rezac & Kresl

Rationale:  Currently, in talks with multiple coops in the area, with positive feedback on adopting the herbicide substitution practices outlined in NWQI. So far, we have heard back from Frontier and Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Rationale:  As we discussed last month, the NRD is evaluating the potential of developing a flood reduction watershed plan for Skull/Bone Creek.  Representatives from NRCS state office will be present to discuss the process and current status of WFPO program.

Rationale:  The NRD received a funding agreement from DWEE on Thursday, February 19th.  An update was emailed to Coalition members informing them of funding and next steps.  Mainellin Wagner will conduct survey in the coming weeks and Olsson will begin engaging with affected landowners.  Our anticipated timeline is to bid the project in summer/fall, with construction to follow in the fall/winter.
Mainelli Wagner engineering bill is attached.

Rationale:  Attached are a few pictures of completed stormwater drainage project.
Last month we approved final $13,000 payment of our $31,000 total pledge.

Rationale:  Find a change order from Sheele-Kayton for three items which are detailed on the attachment.  The total cost of the change order will be a DEDUCT of $3,005.50

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to authorize Manger Gottschalk to sign the attached change order with a deduction amount of $3,005.50. 

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.