UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
April 25, 2011
O’Neill, Nebraska
CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order, statement of advertisement and open meeting law posting were all noted at 8:07 P.M. by Chairman Tim Knuth.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Scott Beckman Jerry Childers James Dvorak Curtis Gotschall Reg Green
Ted Hughes Jim Keller Tim Knuth Jeff Krebs Roy Stewart
Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
Chris Dierks Gregg Felker Jerry Heithoff Mike Russman
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Tom Riley, Water Resources Manager
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT:
Jim Mathine - NRCS, Butte
Aaron Shepers – Cornerstone Mapping, Lincoln
John Vogel – Atkinson
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry Childers to adopt the agenda. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the March Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. [It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the minutes of the March Meeting. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Gotschall & Krebs. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
The March treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. [It was moved by Roy Stewart and seconded by Jerry Childers to approve the March Treasurers Report. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report: Ted Hughes reported that there will be a benefits meeting April 29 in North Platte. The next board meeting will be held in June in conjunction with the basin tour.
DNR Report: No Report. Dennis Schueth reported that he has received word from DNR regarding funding which may impact the ELM study.
NRCS Report: Jim Mathine’s report was mailed out to the Directors. Jim updated the Board on the recent CRP sign-up which ended April 15; the Conservation Stewardship Program regarding the ranking and verification process; and, the situation with the RC&D offices and the temporary assignments.
RC&D Report:
North Central RC&D: Reports were forwarded to the Directors.
Loup Basin RC&D: Reports were forwarded to the Directors.
Northeast RC&D: Reports were forwarded to the Directors.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Beth answered questions regarding the Natural Resources Festival and Envirothon programs.
Water Resources Report: Tylr Riley’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Tom reviewed the spring static water level measurements. He also reported that he will be working on the transducer data and getting the rain gages back out in the field. Some of the older transducers are failing and the Water Resources and Watershed committee will be discussing their replacement. The transducers do provide important information that Sue Lackey and Dr. Chen will use in their study. Tom was contacted by the Lower Elkhorn NRD regarding a nitrogen management study in Crawford Township. This would be a joint study between the two NRDs. Tom also reported on acre certification/transfer activities, the stream testing and the upcoming modeling class he will be attending.
East Branch Verdigris Creek: No Report.
ELM Update: No Report.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
[It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry Childers to excuse the absence of Chris Dierks, Gregg Felker, Jerry Heithoff & Mike Russman. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC FORUM- INPUT:
John Vogel addressed the Board and explained his situation regarding the transfer of acres.
INFRA-RED AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY-AARON SCHEPER, CORNERSTONE MAPPING:
Aaron Schepers, Cornerstone Mapping, made a presentation to the Board outlining the process and benefits of infra-red aerial photography.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative, Finance and Planning Committee: The committee met prior to the board meeting to review the current bills. [It was moved by Jeff Krebs and seconded by Scott Beckman to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED. The committee also discussed reviewing the operations policy and presenting any recommendations to the full board.
Water Resources and Watershed Committee: The Committee met prior to the board meeting. [It was moved by Dale Wiles and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the transfer requests for April 2011 and the Van Horn request pending completion of the transfer requirements. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
The Committee also reviewed the updated proposed Natural Resources Enhancement Fund budget. Since the disbursement of additional funds the staff has revised the previous budget to include: laptop computers and a printer for acre certification; transducers; and, software for acre certification. [It was moved by Dale Wiles and seconded by Jim Keller to approve the proposed UENRD Natural Resources Enhancement Fund budget. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Beckman & Green. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
Personnel, Equipment, Promotion & Education Committee: Jerry Childers reported that the Committee met prior to the board meeting. The Committee reviewed Senior Scholarship applications. [It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Ted Hughes to award Senior Scholarships to Jeremy Pacha from West Holt High School, Tanner Hart from Clearwater High School, Brieann Grosserode from Elgin High School; and, Bethany Blackburn from Rock County High School as the alternate. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): They are again discussing the piping plover and least tern designation as endangered species; and, they also discussed the possibility of NRCS shutting down projects due to threatened and endangered species.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Coalition: No Report.
Lower Platte Basin Coalition: There is a meeting scheduled for April 26.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULLY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION - ACTION:
No Report.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Dennis Schueth’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets. A copy is included with the official copy of the minutes in the office. Dennis reported that he has been fielding many acre certification/transfer phone calls. He has also received a complaint regarding a livestock facility within the district. He feels the UENRD may be able to help mediate between the parties regarding a solution.
The next regular board meeting will be held Monday May 23, 2011.
[It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Dale Wiles to adjourn. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Felker, Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 P.M.