July 30, 2026 at 7:30 AM - Projects Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Attached is a list of NSWCP applications for FY 27 approval.  Due to the loss of State funding a portion of the NSWCP program we have limited the approvals to cover crops and three structure applications.  We already have one structure application approved for summer construction.
The estimated cost-share for FY27 is $86,725.01

Rationale:  Gene Wissenburg, Matt Bailey, and Ryan Chapman joined 3 teachers and 8 students from Newman Grove and Schuyler schools at the SWCS international conference in St. Louis.  Gene and Matt gave a great presentation on Monday just before lunch.  They entertained lots of questions at the end of their presentation that even lingered into lunchtime.  Students presented an oral presentation on Wednesday morning and were at their poster during designated times to answer questions and engage with conference goers.  Their poster turned out great - a big thanks to Anni Poetzl (DWEE/UNL-Extension) for printing!  Staff will get some more info and pictures out on socials in the coming days.

For the 2023 SWCS conference, we approved stipends of $130 per day for teacher chaperons.  This was based on substitute teacher pay rates.  Directors receive $65 per day and we have a history of using that rate for SCWIG members.  Matt will run his through directors quarterly reimbursement.  We also anticipate covering mileage for the schools utilizing appropriate federal rates.

SCWIG has a meeting on August 7th, 10:00 am to hear from UNL and NRCS experts on GPS cattle collars.  This is expected to be a cost-effective alternative to cross fencing and livestock exclusion fencing.  A cost share recommendation is expected coming out of this meeting.

On 7/20 Maslonka, Elliott, and Bill Bos met with representatives from the Village of Newman Grove to inspect a drainage concern in the golf course.  The problem is at the south-east portion of the golf course there is a low spot that will back up and flood two holes on the course.  There is an existing 24" CMP culvert that drains to Shell Creek, however, the outlet portion of the culvert is silted in significantly, and thus will not drain.  The issue stems from the bridge over Shell Creek on HWY 45 to the east causing the creek to silt in upstream.  We discussed multiple alternatives but the Village, and the golf course, are very limited in funds so scenarios involving cost-share BMPs are unlikely due to design scope.  We will plan to discuss this further at our next SCWIG meeting on 8/7.

Rationale:  Monthly construction update details:

• TCI poured the baffle top for the riser, installed the c-channel trash rack on the inlet, installed the actuator assemble (drawdown), ladder, and manhole on 26A
• TCI installed trash rack on drawdown inlet for 26B
• Shanahan finished foundation (sand) drains on 26B and continued with embankment fill placement

Work planned for August

• TCI will pour finish riser construction on 26B
• TCI will install an additional sand drain on 26A (change order per Olsson)
• Shanahan will finish with embankment fill on 26B
• Finish riprap placement on 26A & B

A change order will be coming from TCI to have an additional sand drain outlet placed on 26A near the auxiliary spillway outlet.  During excavation a groundwater seep was observed and Olsson determined it was significant enough to warrant mitigation before it could impact the stability of the spillway.  Estimated cost for change order = $18,321.00

TCI invoice attached
 

Rationale:  Site 84 is done with the review process and is waiting for final approval from Tim Gokie, DWEE Dam Safety.  Site 77 is currently under review and Olsson believes the review should go smoothly as 77 has already gone through Federal (NRCS) review.
ACOE is reviewing our 404 permit for remaining sites and have not had any negative comments so far.  There was (another) Project Manager put in charge of our area and so there is the usual backlog as they are brought up to speed.  We expect the permit within the month.
Saunders County Board of Supervisors approved our floodplain/conditional use permits for sites 55, 84, & 77 at their 7/21 meeting.

Rationale:  Updates on remaining acquisitions for sites 66 & 86.

Rationale:  The Wahoo Creek Watershed 319 Project Implementation Plan was approved by EPA. We are awaiting DWEE signature to begin the project.

 

Rationale:  Mainelli Wagner is in the process of getting the alignment finalized and full quantities ran.  After they get this done, we will have a new/better construction estimate.