UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

April 28, 2008

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 8:05 P.M. by Chairman Dale Wiles.

DIRECTORS PRESENT:

Jerry Childers               Chris Dierks              James Dvorak             Curtis Gotschall                      Reg Green  

Ted Hughes                  Jim Keller                  Tim Knuth                  Dale Wiles  

DIRECTORS ABSENT:

Gregg Felker                Jerry Heithoff            Janet Koinzan               Jeff Krebs                             Roy Stewart

Mike Russman  

STAFF PRESENT:

Dennis Schueth, General Manager

Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator

Tylr Naprstek, Water Resources Manager

Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary

GUESTS PRESENT:

Jerry Kovarik, NRCS, O’Neill

Amanda Flynn – USGS, Lincoln

Steve Peterson – USGS, Lincoln

Robert Swanson – USGS, Lincoln

Rick Wilson – USGS, Lincoln

ADOPTION OF AGENDA:

]It was moved by James Dvorak and seconded by Jim Keller to adopt the agenda.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.

MINUTES:

The minutes of the March Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. [It was moved by Chris Dierks and seconded by Jerry Childers to approve the minutes of the March Meeting.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  Keller.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.

TREASURERS REPORT:

The March treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors.  Dennis Schueth explained that the staff would include a copy of last month’s treasurer’s report and a list of the current unpaid bills in the Directors packets for review.  This will give the Directors more time to review the districts expenses and not be as rushed at the board meeting.  [It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Jim Keller to approve the March Treasurers Report.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.

PUBLIC FORUM: 

No public business was brought before the UENRD Board.

ELM-MODEL, USGS – STEVE PETERSON: 

Steve Peterson, USGS in Lincoln, was present to explain the work, which has been done on the Elkhorn-Loup Model (ELM).  Steve reported that the first data report from the ELM study is done and available on-line.  He then explained the various aspects of the study area and the components used in the model to run the analysis.  The ELM model is a tool made up of the best data available to help with future forecasting.  

AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:

NARD Report:  Ted Hughes reported that their next meeting would be June 15.  Dennis Schueth reported that the final Legislative update was mailed out in the Directors packets.  He also noted that there were several interim studies scheduled, one of which will deal with water transfers.         

DNR Report:  Garry Anderson’s report was included in the Directors folders.     

NRCS Report:  Jerry Kovarik handed out his report to the Directors and noted that the O’Neill office will be receiving summer assistance from another student trainee from Hawaii.       

RC&D Report:

North Central RC&D:  Minutes passed around.

Loup Basin RC&D:  Minutes passed around.

Northeast RC&D:  Meeting being held at the same time as board meeting.       

Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. 

Water Resources Report:  Tylr Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets.  Tylr talked about the Environmental Trust grant to cost share on flowmeters and phase 2 reports.  He has been working with Tina Kurtz, DNR, on the UENRD GWMP rules and regulations.  Tylr also discussed the static water levels and passed out transducer data. 

East Branch Verdigris Creek:  Dennis Schueth reported that they are finishing up the quarterly report.  

ELM Update:  This item was covered with Steve Peterson’s presentation. 

EXCUSED ABSENCES:

[It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Chris Dierks to excuse the absence of Gregg Felker, Jerry Heithoff, Janet Koinzan, Jeff Krebs, Mike Russman & Roy Stewart.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Legislative, Finance and Planning Committee:  The committee met prior to the board meeting to review the current bills and cost share requests.  [It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the current bills for payment except the bill regarding the attorney fees for LB 924 from the NARD.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.  After reviewing the cost share applications, [It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the cost share applications using fiscal year 08-09 NSWCP funds.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED. 

Water Resources and Watershed Committee:  The Committee met prior to the board meeting and elected Gregg Felker Chair since Dale Wiles is the current Board Chair.  Jim Keller reported that the Committee discussed several items regarding the GWMP, funding requests, attorney fees and the Groundwater Foundation challenge.  [It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Tim Knuth to allocate $1,500 to join the other NRD’s in an effort to gain access to cooperators records through FSA.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.  Dennis Schueth explained the need for a hydrologist in regard to the Niobrara River appeal.  [It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Tim Knuth to allocate $2,000 to hire a hydrologist to review the information regarding the Niobrara River appeal with DNR.  AYE:  Childers, Gotschall, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  Dierks, Dvorak & Green.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.  Dennis also explained a bill the District received from the NARD regarding attorney fees for the work on LB 924.  [It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Jerry Childers to approve the bill from the NARD for attorney fees incurred on LB 924 legislation.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED. 

Jim Keller was excused from the meeting.

Personnel, Equipment, Promotion & Education Committee:  Jerry Childers reported that the Committee met prior to the board meeting to discuss the UENRD Senior Scholarship applications.  The Committee selected Dillan Zuhlke from Plainview High School, Michael Miller from Elgin High School and Katherine Kaup from Stuart High School as this years recipients.  Derek Thiele from Clearwater was chosen as the alternate.  A request for funding from the Neligh-Oakdale High School Envirothon Team was considered.  [It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Chris Dierks to approve the $100 request from the Neligh-Oakdale High School Envirothon Team for the registration fee into the state competition.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Keller, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.   The last item discussed was the Natural Resources Festival.  The festival was started by the Holt County Extension who are now looking for another organization to assume the lead role.  [It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by James Dvorak to take on the lead role of the Natural Resources Festival if the Lower Niobrara NRD would split the costs since they have been a cooperating agency in the past.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Keller, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED. 

COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:

Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover):  No Report.  

Nebraska Ground Water Management Protection Act Coalition:  No Report.

Lower Platte Basin Coalition Water Policy Task Force Meetings:  No Report.

NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULLY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION - ACTION:

[It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Chris Dierks to go in to executive session at 10:24 PM for the purpose of discussing the appeal of the current designation of the Niobrara River Basin.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Keller, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.  [It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry Childers to come out of executive session at 10:33 PM.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Keller, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED. 

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 informed the Board on the upcoming GMDA meeting.  Anyone wishing to attend should contact the office. 

MAY BOARD MEETING:

Dennis Schueth reported that the fourth Monday in May falls on Memorial Day.  [It was moved by James Dvorak and seconded by Jerry Childers to schedule the next board meeting for May 19, 2008.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Knuth & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Heithoff, Keller, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman & Stewart.  MOTION CARRIED.     

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:53 P.M.