UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

June 27, 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 8:10 P.M. by Chairman Tim Knuth.

DIRECTORS PRESENT:

Scott Beckman              Jerry Childers               Chris Dierks                 James Dvorak               Curtis Gotschall

Reg Green                   Jerry Heithoff               Jim Keller                    Tim Knuth                    Mike Russman

Roy Stewart                 Dale Wiles      

DIRECTORS ABSENT:

Gregg Felker                Ted Hughes                  Jeff Krebs                    

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

ADOPTION OF AGENDA:

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

MINUTES:

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

TREASURERS REPORT:

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

AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:

NARD Report:  Dennis Schueth reviewed the 2011 Interim study resolutions with the Board which included LR 218, LR 314, LR 215, LR 233, LR 318, LR 273, LR 304 and LR 309. 

DNR Report:  Garry Anderson’s report was handed out to the Directors.  It was also noted that the Commission has been holding less meetings and are now down to three a year.  There was also some discussion on the future funding of projects with all the budgetary constraints on the state.             

NRCS Report:  Jim Mathine’s report was mailed out to the Directors.  Jim reviewed the 2011 EQIP program and gave a summary of where the dollars are being allocated.  He also reported on the CRP program and local workgroup meeting held June 23 to discuss the ranking worksheet and other aspects of the program.  NRCS has also hired a technician in the Spencer office Dirk Schultz.  Once his responsibilities are completed in Spencer, Dirk will be taking the Soil Conservationist position in the Neligh office.         

RC&D Report:

North Central RC&D:  Updates were provided to the Directors.

Loup Basin RC&D:  Updates were provided to the Directors.

Northeast RC&D:  Updates were provided to the Directors. 

Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets.  Beth also passed around a Thank You card received from one of the scholarship recipients. 

Water Resources Report:  Tom Riley’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets.  Tom reported on the monitoring well sampling; pumping of the CAFO wells and results; groundwater training day and technician certification; the ELM project; the USGS geophysics sampling; Dr. Gates sampling project to better understand groundwater flow and recharge; and, the GMDA conference.         

East Branch Verdigris Creek:  Working on the final report.

ELM Update:  This was discussed during the Water Resources and Watershed Committee report.

PUBLIC FORUM: 

Dan Waldo – Water quality Issues in Northern Antelope County and Creighton:  Mr. Waldo was unable to attend and present his concerns.  Dennis Schueth explained what he knew of the situation and reported that he will be scheduling a meeting of the concerned parties to discuss the situation. 

John Vogel – Niobrara River Basin Designation Impact:  Dennis Schueth explained the situation regarding the Lower Niobrara River Basin reversal.  No action was taken.

EXCUSED ABSENCES:

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

NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT REVERSES NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULLY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION: 

Dennis Schueth reported that since the Nebraska Supreme Court ruling the NRD has been waiting for word from DNR and clarification regarding the status of the Lower Niobrara River Basin within the UENRD. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Legislative, Finance and Planning Committee:  The committee met prior to the board meeting to review the current bills.  [It was moved by Scott Beckman and seconded by Mike Russman to approve the current bills for payment.  AYE:  Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Keller, Knuth, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Hughes & Krebs.  MOTION CARRIED.  The Committee also reported that they are continuing the review of the UENRD operations policy. 

Water Resources and Watershed Committee:  The Committee met prior to the board meeting. 

·         Discussion/recommendation on Groundwater Irrigated Acre Transfers for June, 2011:  [It was moved by Dale Wiles and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the transfer requests for June 2011 pending completion of the transfer requirements.  AYE:  Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Keller, Knuth, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Hughes & Krebs.  MOTION CARRIED. 

·         USGS Recharge Study – Derek Ryter (local area):  The committee reviewed the proposal.  [It was moved by Dale Wiles and seconded by Roy Stewart to show support for the project and have staff gather more information before the UENRD proceeds with any funding.  AYE:  Beckman, Childers, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Keller, Knuth, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  Dierks & Dvorak.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Hughes & Krebs.  MOTION CARRIED.  Discussion was held on the basics of the study and the accounting for precipitation and recharge.  There is also a chance one site might be located within the UENRD.

·         ELM Funding-NDNR Funding Reductions:  Dennis Schueth reported that due to state budget cuts, funding for the ELM project has been reduced; however, they believe there will be enough funding to finish the project. 

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 - Update:

Members of the Lower Niobrara Basin will be meeting on July 5, 2011.

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 on the hail damage to the roof and that the district is currently taking bids. 

JULY BOARD MEETING:

The next board meeting will be held July 25, 2011 at the NRD office in O’Neill.       

[It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Jerry Childers to adjourn at 10:28 PM.  AYE:  Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Keller, Knuth, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Felker, Hughes & Krebs.  MOTION CARRIED.