August 11, 2025 at 6:00 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:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale:  The Budget Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the NRD Office. 

Rationale:  The NARD Fall Conference is scheduled for September 28-30 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.  Attached is a tentative schedule of events. Please let Breunig know if you plan to attend and if you will need a room.

Rationale:  Attached find Mountford's Natural Resources Committee Report from the July 23rd Meeting and attachments.

Rationale:  When Wanahoo was developed there was a 600' hunting setback filed on the neighboring properties on our west boundary.  I have had several requests to consider removing or reducing this setback, allowing landowners to develop their properties.  Discussion and possible motion is requested.

Rationale:  In order for neighboring landowners to further develop their properties with dwellings, Saunders County assigns building units to parcels of ground.  Discussion and possible action is requested to allow LPNNRD to grant "Building Units" to neighboring landowners.

Rationale:  Kim Todd (UNL) was onsite on July 29th to discuss landscaping.  The first step is getting the sprinkler system installed after final grading is completed.  Kim will draw bed edges on a plan for us and indicate where drip zones should be.  We will utilize this plan to request proposals/bids.  Staff request approval to go to bid for the sprinkler system this fall.  Next, Kim suggests planting a cover crop (buckwheat, oats, or wheat) to prevent erosion and weeds until grass seeding and planting can occur.  Students will work on a planting plan during the fall semester with Spring 2026 tree/shrub/perennials planting planned.  This fall, Kim will also have her class work on refining the detention basin design including details for the boardwalk.  We will likely not have our 319 grant funding to assist with this portion until this winter.  This will allow us to go to bid this winter for spring construction.

Rationale:  Staff plan to have window-covering bids ready for a decision at our August Board meeting.  A motion will be needed at the Board Meeting to proceed. 

Rationale:  Jake Pittman is currently assuming Water Technician responsibilities and is now trained and prepared to be moved to Water Specialist.  In addition to his field work and department support Jake will be responsible for our water sampling program, our Phase 4 program and assist with variance and ranking of our well applications.
Sean O'brien is currently working for us as an O&M Technician.  With the increased maintenance requirements of our new office, Sean will assume the duties and responsibilities of Building Maintenance Specialist.  He will be lead on all office-related scheduled maintenance.
 

Rationale:  During budget discussions, the topic of combining NRCS Office staff, as we have done with the Saunders/Dodge  Counties, has been brought up.  In order to reduce costs and consolidate workload, it appears appropriate and feasible to have one NRD staff member support the Colfax and Butler County NRCS offices. 

Rationale:  Grant will be available to discuss the draft June Financial Statements.  We will not approve the June Financial Statement until after the Annual Audit is complete. 

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

Rationale:  Gottschalk will review FY '26 Draft budget.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 budget with total expenditures of $13,124,670.

Rationale:  We do not have any unfinished business to address.

Rationale:  Nothing to report.

Rationale:  The O & M crew did maintenance & inspections on 7-8 more dams, shredded roadsides around Wanahoo & Czechland & plots where the BGC group wants to establish food plots near their deer blinds. We are spraying tree problem areas also. Continue to organize & assist around the new building.

Rationale:  The NRCS Grants & Agreements Division has approved the amendment to use non-allocated funds from the Work Plan-Environmental Assessment Study for the Planning and Design Phase of Cottonwood 21-A. It was signed by the District on July 22. They expect the Planning & Design Phase to be completed by December 2026.
The Work Plan-Environment Assessment Study was also returned from the Little Rock, AR NRCS office with their comments. Staff sat in on a teleconference page turner review with NRCS and HDR.on July 24th. The NRCS & HDR addressed all the comments and will update the plan and send it back to Little Rock.

Rationale:  Staff met with Houston Engineering (Mike & Connor) to review the damage on the Wanahoo property and how we want to prioritize, repair and/or mitigate areas. We have teleconferenced with FEMA & NEMA on procedures & directions. FEMA will allow us to work our projects in phases, so if a project is completed we can then be reimbursed for it rather than wait for all phases to be completed. We can move forward with bidding the repairs to the hiking trail, jetties, and pedestrian bridge (need a motion).
FEMA would like us to move forward as fast as we can for the dam joints and basin. FEMA needs repair and mitigation costs and a BCA, so funds can be obligated, and we can bid for the work.
If we want to mitigate the breakwater and improve the third mile weir access, we may have to obtain a 408 permit from the COE since those structures were Corps designed and built.
We need a new contract with Houston Engineering to lead us through this large project. They may have one prepared by the Board meeting.

Rationale:  1) We have a two-year warranty on the office Generac generator. Year one is comprehensive (bumper to bumper), and the second year is parts only. Do we want an extended warranty of 5, 7, or 10 years? These plans have comprehensive coverage. The 5-year plan is $1150, the 7-year is $2132 and the 10-year is $3446. After 2000 hours on the generator there is no warranty coverage.
2) Do we want a preventative maintenance plan? Attached is a quote for the Silver Plan in which they come out twice a year. There's a major inspection and a minor. The Bronze Plan is a major inspection once a year and staff would be required to do quarterly inspections for warranty purposes. 

Rationale:  The grass drill at Rosendahl Farms was used by three cooperators, and we received $128.75.
The grass drill at Rezac Seed was used by 8 cooperators, and we received $1,437.70.
Do we want to write another NET grant to replace the grass drill at Rezac Seed? Paul Rezac would recommend one as the current one is very old.

Rationale:  Lower Platte South NRD assisted financially with the repair of the Fuse Plug in the National Guard Camp back in Sept. 2020 and paid LPN $14,641.66 (which is 50% of the local sponsor share).
We can reimburse LPSNRD $14,641.66 because we have been fully reimbursed by FEMA, NEMA and the CBDG grant for that repair.
 

Rationale:  We have not received any request for payments or applications.

Rationale:  For the month of June, the District received $8,089.00 in annual park permit revenue.

Rationale:  For the month of June, the District received $17,152.82 in camping revenue.

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 16 times in July, with 4 NRD events. Revenue for the month was $1,325. 

Rationale:  When Wanahoo was developed there was a 600' hunting setback filed on the neighboring properties on our west boundary.  I have had several requests to consider removing or reducing this setback allowing landowners to develop their properties. 

Rationale:  The KTIC radio ads for July featured a reminder for annual well water testing. August’s ad will feature variances. Those ads are both attached.

Wahoo newspaper e-ad and print ad for July featured variances. We will not be doing an e-ad or print ad for August.

Rationale:  Top Posts for Facebook and X included:
• Wildflowers and Wine flyer
• Nocturnal night flyer
• NWQI for Wahoo Creek Watershed
• 4th of July at Wanahoo
• Coffee Lakeside flyer

On the LPNNRD website, we received traffic from Facebook (58), NARD (10), Nebraska tourism (7), Saunders County Fair website (2), KTIC (1) Wahoo newspaper e-ad (0), X (0).

The full reports are attached. 
 

Rationale:  The Summer Viaduct will be finished this week with the printer and sent to newspapers for inserting. This will go into newspapers the week of August 11. Attached is a copy.

Rationale: 

•  July 7-11: NRD Nature Camp. Eight middle school students participated this year. These kids spent a week learning about: insects, birds, reptiles and amphibians, trees, mushrooms, and flowers. They went: fishing and bird watching; dissected owl pellets; and learned photography basics. Every student went home with a nature journal, and they'll receive photo albums from the pictures they took that week.
• July 15th: Nocturnal Night (12). Spent the night learning about nocturnal animals and their environments. Ended with a nocturnal nature hike and smores.
• July 17th: Coffee Lakeside (5). Walked the prairies discussing the history, current management techniques, common invaders, and species of the prairies. 

 

Rationale: 

• August 4th: Wildlfowers and Wine (flyer)
• August 7th: Coffee Lakeside: Specialty Crops
• August 7th: Last nocturnal night of the summer!
• August 26th: State Fair Education 

2025-2026 Education flyer - Mailed and emailed to every school district
CEO student schedule - Jack 
Scheduling 2025-2026 school year
State Land Judging Contest Host

Rationale:  We are starting a new program called the Native Nook. This is for anyone in our district, urban or rural, looking to add native flowers and grasses to their landscape. We will provide 100 square feet of seed, and a yard sign for outreach and education. We are still working on the program details and application process, but are hoping to roll it out in the next two months. 

Rationale:  The RWD was notified of a leak at a residence in Colon and will work to get it repaired as quickly as possible.
Routine month sampling, meters read and billing completed.

Rationale:  The lead and copper testing has been completed and results from state labs will be sent to residences.  No results were near action limits.
Routine month sampling, meters read and billing completed.

Rationale:  The deadline for applications is September 15.

Rationale:  The deadline for applications is August 15. 

Rationale:  These will be reviewed at the August Committee Meeting. 

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.  

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. 

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.    

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.  

• Be consistent with your map legends.
  • Make each map city the same color and maybe change the symbol (They recommend blue or hot pink).
  • Add Swedeburg to the maps.
• Take out 3.1.1 page 34 along with Figure 25 out of the plan.
• Figure 29: They do like the color of the certified acres and make more contrast between city and acres.
• Figure 35 Middle Shell Creek, Platte Center and Lower Shell Creek all look similar in color.  Make Platte Center a different color other than green.
• Figure 35 North Bend and Todd Valley are both blue. I would like a different color.
• Figure 35 Weston and Swedeburg to close of similar color.
• Figure 35 Is it possible to have a black boundary around each subarea?
• Objective 1.4 take out "with at least one" and "each year". Page 50
• Objective 1.6 takes out "at least five" and "per year". Page 50
• Objective 4.1 Reword to "Conduct stakeholder review field at least every 5 years", Page 51
• Consistency with NDEE and NeDNR throughout the plan.
• Add Coop, Agronomist etc. as partners

Rationale:  Staff have been in contact with LRE to start re-evaluating these areas.  

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.

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.  

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.

Rationale:  -Potential for no irrigation sampling this year. Possibility to test our monitoring wells for other contaminants besides nitrates? 

Rationale: 

no new wells have been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

no wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner

Type of Well

Cost Share Estimate

County

 

Rationale:  We have 6 meter cost share invoices for the Richland Schuyler area. 
 

William Klug		4	$                       4,000.00
Hilland Valley farms		1	$                       1,000.00
Benjamin Klug		1	$                       1,000.00
Keith Kallweit		1	$ 1,000.00

Rationale:  The data loggers and HydroVu equipment that was damaged have been fixed and are being shipped.  

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 9th at 7:00 pm.

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?

Rationale:  Attached is a quarterly invoice from USGS for operation of streamgages at Shell Creek near Columbus and Wahoo Creek at Ashland.

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.

Current Lakes on Health Alert
Lake	County	Microcystin (ppb)	Sample Date
None! ??

When a lake exceeds 8 ppb of microcystin it will be placed on Health Alert. If a lake is under a Health Alert, signs will be posted recommending people avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. 
There are 4 beaches with E.coli testing above 235 colonies/100 mL.

Lakes with High E.coli Bacteria
Lake	County	E.coli (MPN)	Sample Date
Branched Oak Lake at Liebers Point Beach	Lancaster	249	7/21/2025
Lewis and Clark Reservoir at Weigand Beach	Knox	397	7/21/2025
Maple Creek Recreation Area Lake	Colfax	1,986	7/21/2025
Summit Lake	Burt	387	7/21/2025

When E. coli bacteria levels test above 235 colonies/100 mL a Health Alert is not issued. However, conditions are at a higher risk to human health when swimming. Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels. Although, we want people to be aware of beach conditions and use their own judgment as to whether they use a listed water body.
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

Rationale:  Attached are some pictures which staff were asked to view in the field.  This site is south of Leigh.  

Rationale:  The water portion of the budget was reviewed.  

Rationale:  We still haven't received our FY26 NSWCP allocation from the State.  Staff has been informed that we should be notified soon.  We expect to receive the same (or very near) to FY25 which was $83,388.  We will also have additional carry-over funds that weren't distributed that can be allocated.
Below is a list of eligible approvals:

S-25-1	KRISTEN MILLER	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-2	ERIC POSPISIL	$                       4,959.24	COVER CROP
S-25-3	PAUL POLACEK	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
P-25-1	DAVID THEILEN	$                       4,259.86	COVER CROP
P-25-2	STEVE & MARILYN VRANA LT	$                       4,387.02	COVER CROP
P-25-3	THEILEN TRUST  (GLENN THEILEN)	$                       3,496.90	COVER CROP
P-25-4	DAN THEILEN	$                       4,214.10	COVER CROP
P-25-5	DONALD GASPER	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-4	TAYLOR MURREN	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-5	MICHAEL SWANSON	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-6	FRANK PLESKAC	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-7	LARRY POSPISIL	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-8	MARK KASPAR	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-9	RONALD SABATKA	$                       3,751.22	COVER CROP
P-25-6	LUGENE TOROZON	$                       4,704.92	COVER CROP
P-25-7	GARY TOROZON	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-10	GERALD OSMERA	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
B-25-1	LPJ FARMS	$                       5,086.40	COVER CROP
S-25-11	TERRY KUBIK	$                     15,000.00	TOT/WASCB/GWW
S-25-12	KYLE OSMERA	$                     15,000.00	TOT/WASCB
S-25-13	DOROTHY ANN MEDUNA	$                     15,000.00	TOT/WASCB
S-25-14	KAREN SMAUS	$                     15,000.00	TOT/WASCB
S-25-15	MICHAEL KUBIK	$                     15,000.00	TOT/WASCB/GWW
S-25-16	DAN MACH	$                     15,000.00	TOT/WASCB
B-25-1	TOM SAMEK	$                     15,000.00	TOT/WASCB
B-25-2	RONALD SWOBODA	$                     10,625.01	TOT/WASCB
S-25-17	NORM LINDGREN	$                       5,681.35	TOT
S-25-18	JAMES KUBIK	$                     15,000.00	TOT
S-25-19	BEN SPATZ	$                     15,000.00	TOT/COVER CROPS

Total NSWCP application = $190,723.66
Cover Crop = $85,723.66

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve listed applications pending state funding allocation. 
 

Rationale:  Listed are two completed projects ready for payment:
 

JV ACRES PTNSHP	$                     12,106.02	TOT/WASCB
CLIFFORD PROCHASKA	$                     13,701.06	WASCB

Rationale:  Attached is an invoice from USGS for stage-only streamgages and cameras on the Platte River for flood monitoring purposes.  This invoice will be paid per our agreement and 3/4 of costs will be paid by our partners: Papio NRD, Dodge County, and City of Fremont.

Rationale:  The final Rawhide WFPO public meeting is scheduled for August 21st, 2:00-4:00pm, at the Dodge County Extension office - 1206 W 23rd Street, Fremont, NE.  Meeting materials will be uploaded when they are available and an invitation will be forwarded to Dodge County directors soon.
Above average summer precipitation has caused water issues in the Rawhide area.  Dodge County has received requests to clean out the ditch from residents close to where the detention basins are planned.  Collectively, we are steering folks to the public meeting on August 21st.  It would not be surprising if they attend a future committee or Board meeting.

Rationale:  Recent conversations with the County revealed that the project is not complete, but very close.  The contractor needs several good dry working days to finish the project.

Rationale:  Mike Eason will be present at the committee meeting to present an opportunity to shore up the dike this fall and request assistance.  Permitting obligations should be discussed.

Rationale:  A SCWIG meeting was held on 7/15 at the Columbus field office.  Discussion focused around wrapping up our existing 319 and NET grants which end 6/30/26.  The final bend is complete and came in lower than anticipated when we budgeted this grant, which leaves us with a good chunk to be allocated.  The onsite wastewater systems continue to be popular, but can't be expected to exhaust the funds. 
The streambank stabilization/rain garden at Christ Lutheran Church/School is expected to move forward with cooperation from Platte county being approved.  A site showing occurred after the SCWIG meeting with NDWEE, NRD, Church, and County reps present to discuss moving project forward.  A formal interlocal will be forthcoming.
Elbert Traylor, the longtime DEQ/NDEE/DWEE funding ally of SCWIG officially retired and had his (office) farewell party on 7/29.  Elbert championed Shell Creek for many years and without his assistance SCWIG wouldn't have been able to accomplish everything that we've seen over the past decades.
Bill Bos submitted two onsite wastewater systems that have been completed and are eligible for cost-share: 
Rick Loseke: 2-19-1E Platte County
Total was $10,017.71 + $425 inspection = $6,310.60 @ 60% c/s
Jeff Klug: 13-18-1E Platte County
Total = $12,274.77 = $7,364.86  @ 60% c/s               
 

Rationale:  The monthly construction update meeting was held at Site 27/26A on 7/22, meeting minutes and pictures are attached.  

• Primary work on site 27 is on concrete riser; four lifts completed, next will be forming/pouring wing baffles on the top section.
• 12" drawdown pipe installed, 18" low-stage inlet to be installed.
• Over-excavation continues at 26A; contractor (Shanahan) feels as though it's been greater volume than anticipated.  Olsson will do additional survey.
• TCI/Shanahan expect site 27 to progress rapidly as weather becomes more cooperative and additional crew becomes available.

TCI pay invoice attached.

Rationale:  Olsson has submitted site 77 designs to DNR/DWEE and NRCS national watershed center (NWC) for permitting review.  We expect both reviews to take the remainder of the summer.

On 7/10, Olsson, NRCS, and NRD staff met to discuss the biological assessment (BA) comments and strategize for editing BA for permit submittal.  The plan had been to tailor this BA the same as the prior BA we developed for our first phase (26AB, 27) of the WCW.  The reviewing partners (NeG&P, FWS, DWEE, ACOE) felt that we needed to provide a "better plan" for offsetting potential depletion in the Platte.  One of the primary issues was our intention to use the Louisville USGS gauge, with an agreed upon minimum cfs, as the measuring stick for releasing additional water.  That plan was denied.  We will have a revised BA ready for review, reflecting the comments from partners, within the next 4-6 weeks.

Andrew Philips, of Olsson, will be present to discuss engineering write-offs that have occurred over the last 7 years.  Write up is attached.

Attached are the last three month's of engineering invoices.
 

Rationale:  All landowners with existing offers have been notified of the Boards decision to move towards condemnation if no meaningful discussions can be had prior to August Board meeting.  We expect that there will be several that acquire their own appraisals.
Olsson invoice attached.

Rationale:  The website page for the NWQI program is live.  Beethe and Maslonka recently updated the Wahoo Creek Watershed - Non Point Source Management plan and submitted it to DWEE.  Staff are currently working on the Section 319 grant PIP (workplan).

Rationale:  Staff are on the agenda for the August 19th Saunders County Board meeting.  We hope to have enough information after that meeting to draft an interlocal acceptable to both parties.

Rationale:  We have a meeting on August 18th to discuss public outreach with regard to both the hazard and drought mitigation plans. Attached is an invoice from JEO.

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.