O’Neill, Nebraska

CALL TO ORDER, STATEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND OPEN MEETING LAW NOTIFICATION:

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 2:40 P.M. by Chairman Jerry Heithoff.

DIRECTORS PRESENT:

Jerry Childers Chris Dierks James Dvorak Gregg Felker Curtis Gotschall

Reg Green Jerry Heithoff Ted Hughes Jim Keller Tim Knuth

Janet Koinzan Jeff Krebs Mike Russman Roy Stewart Dale Wiles

DIRECTORS ABSENT:

None

STAFF PRESENT:

Dennis Schueth, General Manager

Tylr Naprstek, Water Resources Manager

Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary

GUESTS PRESENT:

Jerry Kovarik – NRCS – O’Neill

ADOPTION OF AGENDA:

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

MINUTES:

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

TREASURERS REPORT:

The November treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Roy Stewart and seconded by Jeff Krebs to approve the November Treasurers Report. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman, Stewart, & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.

PUBLIC FORUM:

None

AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:

NARD Report: Ted Hughes reported that he received word that the NACD president Olin Sims died in a ranch accident in Wyoming. Donations can be made in his name to the NACD Building Fund. Ted also reported that they have moved the Managers meeting February 4 from Lower Platte South NRD to Hardin Hall Auditorium. The District will also be receiving a request for $200 from the NARD for the NACD building fund. Dennis Schueth reviewed some of the options being considered for the gathering with the Senators following the NARD Reception February 5.

NARD Legislative Conference: The Legislative Conference is scheduled for February 5-6 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. Conference Voting Delegates: ]It was moved by Curtis Gotschall and seconded by Jim Keller to appoint Jerry Heithoff voting delegate and Dale Wiles alternate for the 2008 Legislative Conference. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.

DNR Report: Garry Anderson’s report was sent and included in the Directors folders. Dennis Schueth reviewed the status of the Niobrara Basin, the concerns with the Leigh Dam and Ann Bleeds comments in the Commission report.

NRCS Report: Jerry Kovarik’s report was handed out to the Directors. Jerry highlighted the EQIP program and funding for the upcoming year. He announced that two State Conservationists in charge of Field Operations will be leaving in January 2008. Ken Noonan is retiring and Marvin Brown has accepted a position in Washington DC. LeRoy Stokes has been named the eastern District Conservationist; however, Steve Chick has yet to name a western district conservationist. Jerry also reported that he is unsure as to when the Neligh RC position will be filled due to the NRCS hiring freeze.

RC&D Report:

North Central RC&D: Jim Keller reported that the North Central RC&D Director Gene Lehnert has retired.

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. Directors who will be up for election in 2008, received filing forms and information if they wish to file for re-election. Beth also confirmed the Directors attending the Legislative Conference and whether any extra tickets were needed. Attendees include Hughes, Gotschall, Dierks, Koinzan, Wiles, Green, Knuth, Childers and Heithoff.

Water Resources Report: Tylr Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Tylr highlighted his report and discussed the Technical Advisory meeting in Norfolk; the updated Niobrara Basin map; the upcoming meetings with DNR, phase II reporting reminders and new well permits.

EBVC Update: Dennis Schueth reported that the Environmental Trust grant for water well decommissioning will be allowed to expire. There are still funds available through DEQ for this program.

ELM Update: Dennis Schueth reported that he will be inviting Steve Peterson to a board meeting to give a report on the ELM project.

EXCUSED ABSENCES:

None

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 Reg Green and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman, Stewart, & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED. There were no cost share applications to review. Reg Green also informed the Board that the new mileage rate of 50.5 cents will take effect January 1, 2008.

Water Resources & Watershed Committee: Dale Wiles reported that the committee met December 12 and prior to the board meeting. They are still working on the updates to the Groundwater Management Plan. ]It was moved by Dale Wiles and seconded by Janet Koinzan to adopt the Irrigated Acre Certification form without the assessor information, adopt option 4 as the method of certifying acres and require an FSA form 578 and aerial photo to certify acres in the Upper Elkhorn NRD. After discussing the motion and the other options, ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to amend the motion and to adopt option 3 as the method of certifying acre. Vote on Amendment: AYE: Gotschall & Hughes. NAY: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman, Stewart, & Wiles. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION FAILED. Vote on Original Motion: AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs, Stewart, & Wiles. NAY: Gotschall, Hughes & Russman. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED. Dennis Schueth passed out and discussed the testimony prepared for the hearing with DNR regarding the NG&P Biological Opinion. Dennis also passed out the correspondence from the Lower Platte Basin Coalition legal counsel and reviewed it with the Board.

NGPC-BIOLOGICAL OPINION-PLATTE RIVER (FULLY-APPROPRIATED STATUS) REQUEST TO DNR:

This item was covered under the previous agenda item.

COALITIONS UPDATE:

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

Pallid Sturgeon/Sturgeon Chub Task Force: This coalition has been disbanded. Dennis Schueth reported that the coalition has divided returned the remaining funds to all contributing members.

Nebraska Ground Water Management Protection Act Coalition: No Report.

Lower Platte Basin Coalition: Minutes of the November 20^th meeting were included in the Directors packet as well as a report on the Coalitions meeting with DNR and Game and Parks on November 27^th.

Water Policy Task Force: 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 passed out and reviewed the Upper Elkhorn NRD testimony, which has been prepared for the DNR hearing regarding the Lower Platte River Basin designation. This testimony will be presented December 19 at the DNR hearing in Lincoln.

JANUARY BOARD MEETING:

January 28, 2008 will be the date for the next board meeting.

There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 PM.