UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
January 17, 2012 -- 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:
Scott Beckman Jerry Childers Chris Dierks James Dvorak Gregg Felker
Curtis Gotschall Reg Green Jerry Heithoff Ted Hughes Jim Keller
Tim Knuth Jeff Krebs Mike Russman Roy Stewart Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Tom Riley, Water Resources Manager
Kelly Kloppenborg, Water Resources Technician
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
GUESTS PRESENT:
Jim Mathine – NRCS – Butte
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Ted Hughes to adopt the agenda. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the December Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Jake Dvorak to approve the minutes of the December Meeting. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Beckman. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
The December treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Roy Stewart and seconded by Jeff Krebs to approve the December Treasurers Report. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
ELECTION OF UENRD BOARD OFFICERS & REPRESENTATIVES:
Election of Chairman: ]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by James Dvorak to nominate Gregg Felker as Chairman of the UENRD Board of Directors. There were no further nominations. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Felker. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
Election of Vice-Chairman: ]It was moved by Chris Dierks and seconded by James Dvorak to nominate Mike Russman as Vice Chairman of the UENRD Board of Directors. There were no further nominations. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Russman. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
Election of Secretary/Treasurer; Election of NARD Representative and Alternate; and, RC&D Representatives and Alternates: ]It was moved by Mike Russman and seconded by Jeff Krebs to retain the current office holders. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Stewart. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Wiles. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC FORUM:
None
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report: The NARD Legislative Conference is scheduled for January 24 & 25 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. There is a meeting scheduled with the NRDs in the Lower Platte River Basin on Tuesday afternoon to discuss voluntary IMPs. Dennis reviewed current legislation pertaining to the NRDs that will be discussed at Legislative Conference.
DNR Report: They will be meeting in conjunction with the NARD Legislative Conference later this month.
NRCS Report: Jim Mathine’s report was mailed out to the Directors. Jim commented on the Conservation Stewardship Program. He also reported that EQIP applications have been ranked but they have not begun obligating funds since the payment rate has not been finalized. Jim also noted that due to the mild winter, producers have been able to work on and complete their conservation practices.
RC&D Report:
North Central RC&D: Jim Keller reported that they are still operating on a volunteer basis and they are trying to find a use for the building in Bassett.
Loup Basin RC&D: No Report.
Northeast RC&D: Did not meet in December.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Beth also reviewed legislative conference attendees and the lodging arrangements.
Water Resources Report: Tom Riley’s report was handed out at the board meeting. Tom distributed a booklet of information regarding nitrate trends, static water levels and irrigation information to give the board an idea of the district’s water quality. Tom has also been working on flowmeter data and the nitrogen and pesticide results.
ELM Update: No report.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
None
KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE-REROUTE – ACTION AS NEEDED:
Discussion was held on the location of the sandhills and possible routes for the pipeline which could bring it close to the east branch of the Verdigris Creek. However, until the new route is released any route is just speculation.
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 Scott Beckman to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED. The Committee is continuing to review the Operations Policy for the district.
Water Resources & Watershed:
Greg Felker reported that the Committee met on January 9 and discussed updates to the criteria sheet; the nitrate issues within the district and northern Antelope County; and, Phase 2 requirement and reporting issues. Gregg gave an update on the LB 483 sign-up and noted that there would be a special board meeting scheduled for February 6 to review and approve the expansion of acres. The District has also received a letter from the Holt County Board of Supervisors asking the UENRD and LNNRD not to allow the transfer of irrigated acres outside of Holt County.
COALITIONS UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): No Report.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Coalition: No Report.
Lower Platte 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 items in the administrative report were covered under the other agenda items. Dennis handed out the tentative agenda for the NARD Washington D.C. trip.
SPECIAL FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING TO APPROVE ACRE EXPANSION WITHIN THE LOWER PLATTE AND NIOBRARA RIVER BASINS:
A special board meeting will be held February 6, 2012 to approve the expansion of new irrigated acres.
FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING:
The February board meeting will be held on the 27th at 2:30 pm. Committee meetings will begin at 1:30 pm.
]It was moved by Tim Knuth and seconded by Dale Wiles to adjourn. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.