UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
December 19, 2011 – 2:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER, STATEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND OPEN MEETING LAW NOTIFICATION:
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 2:45 P.M. by Chairman Tim Knuth.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Jerry Childers Chris Dierks Jake Dvorak Gregg Felker Curtis Gotschall
Reg Green Ted Hughes Jim Keller Tim Knuth Janet Koinzan
Jeff Krebs Mike Russman Roy Stewart Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
Jerry Heithoff
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Tom Riley, Water Resources Manager
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT:
Jim Mathine, NRCS – Spencer
Scott Wessel, Nebraska Game & Parks - Norfolk
Rebekah Jessen, Nebraska Game & Parks - Bloomfield
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
]It was moved by Chris Dierks and seconded by Gregg Felker to adopt the amended agenda. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The Directors reviewed the minutes of the November Meeting. ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jim Keller to approve the minutes of the November Meeting. AYE: Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Beckman. ABSTAIN: Gotschall. ABSENT: Childers & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
The November treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Jeff Krebs to approve the November Treasurers Report. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
NEBRASKA GAME & PARKS COMMISSION – PRESCRIBED BURNING GRANT & FUNDING:
Scott Wessel and Rebekah Jessen, Nebraska Game & Parks, attended the meeting to request funding to help match a grant NG&P has applied for in regard to prescribed burning and the removal of unwanted cedars on grazinglands. The project is basically a cost share program to improve grasslands. The request was for $2500 a year for three years. ]It was moved by Chris Dierks and seconded by Jim Keller to allocate $2500 a year for 3 years beginning in 2013 for up to $7500 pending NG&P grant receives approval. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth & Krebs. NAY: Dvorak, Felker, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
(Childers arrived)
UPPER ELKHORN NRD 2010-2011 AUDIT – DANA F COLE (Donita Pokorny):
Donita Pokorny, Dana F Cole, was unable to attend the meeting; however, the audit was sent out to the Directors for their review. ]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Chris Dierks to accept the 2010-2011 Audit. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC FORUM:
None
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report: Ted Hughes reported that the NARD Board will be meeting in conjunction with the Legislative Conference, which will be held January 24 & 25.
Voting Delegates: Dennis Schueth reported that the UENRD needs to submit their voting delegates. ]It was moved by Chris Dierks and seconded by Jake Dvorak to appoint Gregg Felker voting delegate and Jerry Childers alternate for the 2012 NARD Legislative Conference. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Childers & Felker. ABSENT: Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
DNR Report: There has not been a meeting since the last report.
NRCS Report: Jim Mathine’s report was mailed out to the Directors. Jim highlighted his report discussing the National Resources Inventory survey and the EQIP rankings completed by the district offices.
RC&D Report: Discussion was held regarding the status of the RC&Ds. The North Central and Northeast RC&D’s have continued operating with volunteer help to continue with their on-going programs. We have received requests for dues from two of the RC&Ds. ]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Chris Dierks to pay the requested dues to the RC&Ds remaining active in the amount of $250. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Beckman & Stewart. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
North Central RC&D: No Report.
Loup Basin RC&D: No Report.
Northeast RC&D: No Report.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Beth passed around a sign up sheet for the Legislative Conference. A block of rooms for UENRD Directors has already been set up at the Embassy Suites so Directors will not have to make their own reservations. Beth will coordinate the reservations and room charges will be direct billed to the NRD.
Water Resources Report: Tom Riley’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Tom reported that he and Kelly attended the water seminar sponsored by the MNNRD in Johnstown. The seminar centered around NRD rules and regulations and also touched on the Farm Bill, irrigation technology and no-till. Static water level and flowmeter readings have been completed and are being compiled. Other items included the 2011 crop water use report, newsletter articles and flowmeter grant report.
ELM Update: No Report.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
]It was moved by Jake Dvorak and seconded by Jim Keller to excuse the absence of Jerry Heithoff. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative, Finance and Planning:
Action on Current bills and Cost Share Requests: The Committee met prior to the Board meeting and reviewed the bills. ]It was moved by Jeff Krebs and seconded by Roy Stewart to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Heithoff & Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
UENRD Operating Policy: Jeff Krebs reported the Committee is still reviewing and updating the Operating Policy and they will make recommendations to the full board within the next few of months.
Release of soybean/water usage to University of Nebraska Lincoln: Dennis Schueth passed around a request for information from the University of Nebraska. Discussion was held regarding the NRDs roll in the disbursement of data and producer information and the manner and content in which data is distributed through the request process. ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Dale Wiles to send summary data and all the names of producers with the Phase 2 area for the University of Nebraska Lincoln request. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Beckman, Dvorak, Hughes & Krebs. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
Water Resources & Watershed Committee: The Committee met prior to the board meeting.
Northeast Antelope Water Quality Issues: Gregg Felker reported that they discussed the water quality situation in northern Antelope County. The LCNRD has requested assistance from DEQ on behalf of the NRDs which share in a portion of this area. After a review of the current rules and regulations the NRDs have in this area it was noted the variety of different phases that exist. The Committee noted that just because an NRD has labeled the area under a certain phase number (i.e. lower than another district) does not mean they are not requiring the appropriate level of concern. A Chart will put together to clarify the differences between the NRDs. The Water Resources & Watershed Committee is planning to have an additional committee meeting in January.
Lower Platte North – Voluntary Integrated Management Plan: Dennis Schueth attended a meeting with DNR and other Lower Platte Basin NRDs to discuss the development of voluntary IMPs. PMNRD, LPNNRD and LPSNRD have all indicated that they will be moving forward with voluntary IMPs. The LENRD has also discussed this issue and will be taking it before their board. A meeting with the LENRD to discuss this issue may be held after the first of the year.
Irrigated Acre Transfers – Sitz Update: There has not been any more information regarding this issue since last month.
Ranking Criteria Sheet: Gregg Felker reported that they did not have time to discuss this issue and will review it at the next committee meeting.
COALITIONS UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): No Report.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Coalition: No Report.
Lower Platte River Basin Coalition: 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. The Administrative Report was covered under the previous agenda items.
JANUARY BOARD MEETING:
The January board meeting will be held on Tuesday January 17, 2012 due to the holiday and Legislative Conference.
]It was moved by Gregg Felker and seconded by Jake Dvorak to adjourn. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM.