July 31, 2025 at 9:30 AM - Water Committee Meeting
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1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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2. REGULATORY
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2.A. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
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2.A.1. Variance Request in the Hydrologically Connected Area (Limited Development Area)
Rationale:
The deadline for applications is September 15.
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2.A.2. Variance Requests in the Non-Hydrologically Connected Area (Normal Development Area)
Rationale:
The deadline for applications is August 15.
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2.A.3. Variance Requests in the Restricted Development Areas
Rationale:
These will be reviewed at the August Committee Meeting.
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2.A.4. Well Permit Program
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2.A.4.a. Lindsay Manufacturing
Rationale:
Lindsay Manufacturing is requesting a well permit for pivot testing in NE1/4 SW1/4 S17-20-3W, Platte County. It is located north of the plant and is in Lindsay Wellhead Protection Area. They are getting permission from the Village of Lindsay at their next board meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend to approve the well permit for Lindsay Manufacturing for the NE1/4 SW1/4 S17-20-3W, Platte County with the conditions of approval from the Village of Lindsay. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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2.A.4.b. Public Water Supply Well Permit
Rationale:
Attached is a public water supply well permit for Camp Moses - Merrill. This is a transient, non-community public water system and is located in the NE SE S30-17-5E, Saunders County.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend approving the public water supply well permit for Camp Moses - Merrill in the SE1/4 S30-17N-5E, Saunders County Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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2.A.5. UNL Demonstration Fields Update
Rationale:
Bruno Patia Lena - Platte County Extension gave an update on the projects he is conducting in the LPN district. The main takeaway is that conducting soil sampling in the spring showed a higher amount of nitrogen in the soil compared to fall sampling. Mineralization from soil temperature and water could make the difference. The committee asked Bruno to consider soil sampling in April and then May to see if there is a difference.
Joe discussed his project and nitrogen applications utilizing Sentinel Ag. He has decreased his nitrogen application amounts and commented that the corn does not look distressed at this time. |
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2.A.6. Groundwater Management Plan Update
Rationale:
The committee and staff review the changes to the items shown below. The committee directed staff to proceed with the draft GWMP by putting it on the website and contacting the stakeholders for review. The plan is to start the hearing process in September for a hearing conducted prior to the October 13th Board Meeting,
Attached is an updated plan. Here is the list of suggestions that were requested at the last committee meeting when reviewing the plan. Staff have reviewed and changes were made.
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2.A.7. Special Quantity Subareas
Rationale:
Staff have been in contact with LRE to start re-evaluating these areas.
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2.A.8. Cost Share Programs
Rationale:
We have received two invoices for our Domestic Well Water Treatment System Cost-Share Program from Allen Svatora and Dan Stevenson. We are offering to pay 75% of the total cost up to $800.
Allen Svatora one RO Unit cost share of $505.45. Dan Stevenson; one RO Unit Cost share of $375.00.
Recommended Motion(s):
To pay Allen Svatora $505.45 for cost share on the installation of an RO unit. To pay Dan Stevenson $375 for cost share on the installation of one RO unit. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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2.A.8.a. Irrigation Well Sample Kits
Rationale:
Sample kits are being requested. Staff sent out kits initially, but now in a holding pattern as we move forward. Some producers might not be irrigating this year because of the rainfall. Staff have not begun water sampling for the same reason.
The committee suggested calling people to determine when they might be water sampling. They commented that irrigation season is still not over. |
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2.B. CHEMIGATION
Rationale:
For 2025, we have 660 renewals and 41 new permit applications for a current total of 701. Inspections for 143 renewal permits have been completed and 41 new permits.
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2.C. GROUND WATER QUALITY SAMPLING
Rationale:
-Potential for no irrigation sampling this year. Possibility to test our monitoring wells for other contaminants besides nitrates?
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3. GROUND WATER PROGRAMS
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3.A. DECOMMISSIONED WELL PROGRAM
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3.A.1. Well Estimates
Rationale:
no new wells have been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.
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3.A.2. Plugged Wells
Rationale:
no wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.
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3.B. LOWER PLATTE NORTH NRD GROUND WATER STUDIES
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3.B.1. Phase Area Update
Rationale:
We have 6 meter cost share invoices for the Richland Schuyler area.
Recommended Motion(s):
To pay William Klug for 4 Flow meters $4,000. To pay Hilland Valley Farm for one flow meter $1,000. To pay Benjamin Klug for one flow meter for $1,000. Keith Kallweit for one flow meter $1,000 Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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3.C. NEW MONITORING WELLS
Rationale:
The data loggers and HydroVu equipment that was damaged have been fixed and are being shipped.
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3.D. SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
Rationale:
The Public Hearing for the Newman Grove Wellhead Protection Plan is on August 14th at 7:00 pm.
The Public Hearing for the Platte Center Wellhead Protection Plan was rescheduled for September 15th at 7:00 pm. |
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3.E. GMDA conference
Rationale:
The conference was held in Idaho Falls. Topics included reports from all participating states and Idaho water challenges. The main challenges are population growth and the overuse of the aquifer. Toured Idahoan Potatoes Factory, Barley Hops elevator, injection wells and National/Idaho Laboratory. Attached are some pictures.
Key Takeaways -The Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer moves much faster than the Ogallala. -Idaho has similar concerns with the management of new domestic wells. -Injection well could pump 10,000 GPM back into the aquifer. Must test for contaminants before. E.coli doesn't survive in some anoxic conditions. Potential for recharge in Prague area? -Idaho wants to convert groundwater irrigation to surface water irrigation. -Geologist at ISU discussed how nitrates mobilize uranium in groundwater. -Four-year crop rotation for potatoes. -Idahoan potatoes & Anheuser-Busch have taken steps to reduce water usage. Potential to partner with industries for similar initiatives?
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4. SURFACE WATER PROGRAMS
Rationale:
Attached is a quarterly invoice from USGS for operation of streamgages at Shell Creek near Columbus and Wahoo Creek at Ashland.
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4.A. STATE LAKES, FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 23
Rationale:
This week's beach Bacteria and Harmful Algal Bloom results are now posted on the DWEE web page (Current Health Alerts and Sampling Results For This Week).
There are no lakes on Health Alert!!! Kirkman’s Cove Lake tested at 3.86 ppb and will be removed from Health Alert. Branched Oak at Liebers Point Beach, Lewis and Clark at Weigand Beach, Maple Creek Recreation Area, and Summit Lakes all tested above 235 colonies/100 mL. There are 0 beaches on Health Alert this week.
There are 4 beaches with E.coli testing above 235 colonies/100 mL.
Stay cool! Justin Haas State Lakes Coordinator Department of Water, Energy and Environment 245 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 100 Lincoln, NE 68509-8922 Direct: 402-471-4224 | Main Office: 402-471-2186 |
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5. IRRIGATION DEMONSTRATION
Rationale:
Attached are some pictures which staff were asked to view in the field. This site is south of Leigh.
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6. OTHER
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6.A. FY '26 Water Committee Draft Budget Review
Rationale:
The water portion of the budget was reviewed.
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6.B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
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