UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
March 22, 2010 -- 8:00 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 8:05 P.M. by Chairman Tim Knuth.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Jerry Childers Chris Dierks James Dvorak Gregg Felker Jerry Heithoff
Ted Hughes Jim Keller Tim Knuth Janet Koinzan Mike Russman
Roy Stewart Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
Curtis Gotschall Reg Green Jeff Krebs
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Tom Riley, Water Resources Manager
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
Kelly Kloppenborg, Water Resources Technician
GUESTS PRESENT:
Jerry Kovarik – NRCS – O’Neill
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
]It was moved by Janet Koinzan and seconded by Dale Wiles to adopt the agenda. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Gotschall, Green, Heithoff & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
Heithoff arrived
MINUTES:
The minutes of the February Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Dale Wiles and seconded by Janet Koinzan to approve the minutes of the February Meeting. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Heithoff & Stewart. ABSENT: Gotschall, Green & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
MARCH 10th SPECIAL BOARD MEETING:
The minutes of the March 10th Special Board Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by James Dvorak and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the minutes of the March 10th Meeting with corrections. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Russman & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Heithoff, Koinzan & Stewart. ABSENT: Gotschall, Green & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
The February treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Mike Russman and seconded by Roy Stewart to approve the February Treasurers Report. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Gotschall, Green & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
UENRD & UNL SOYBEAN ROTATION – CHARLES SHAPIRO & BILL KRANZ:
This will be scheduled for a later date.
COLDWATER FISHERIES – DAVID GERHOLD:
Dennis Schueth reported that he has spoken with Mr. Gerhold and he is planning to do the environmental study for the project. Dennis will keep the board informed.
PUBLIC FORUM – INPUT:
LB 483 & Fully Appropriated – Designations Impacts: Dennis Schueth reported that the staff is continuing their work on the certification of acres for the fully appropriated portion of the Upper Elkhorn NRD.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report: Ted Hughes reported that the NARD Board will be meeting April 12. Dennis Schueth reported that the legislative update was e-mailed out to the board and he reviewed the status of the occupational tax legislation.
DNR Report: No Report.
NRCS Report: Jerry Kovarik handed out his report at the board meeting. Jerry highlighted the work they have been doing with the EQIP program, Conservation Stewardship Program and Conservation Reserve program. He also discussed their program appraisal and reported that they are in the process of hiring a replacement for Barb Shannon in the Ainsworth Field office who will be retiring this year.
RC&D Report:
North Central RC&D: Minutes were included in the Directors packets.
Loup Basin RC&D: Minutes were included in the Directors packets.
Northeast RC&D: Minutes were included in the Directors packets.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Questions were raised regarding the vacancies in sub-district 1 and sub-district 4 for the upcoming elections.
Water Resources Report: Tom Riley’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Tom reported that all of the phase 2 reports from Holt County have been received and that there are just a few left in Antelope County to be returned. He also reported that the water results have been turned into the clearinghouse and that we will begin static water level readings shortly. Some of the static water level readings will be done in conjunction with the elevation surveying being conducted by the UENRD and NRCS. Acre certification for the Niobrara Fully Appropriated designation has been delayed but will be resumed by the end of the month. Tom also reported that April 5, will be the final nitrogen certification class of this season and he gave an overview of the Water Conference he attended at the beginning of the month.
EBVC Update: No Report.
ELM Update: This information was covered under the Water Resources and Watershed committee report.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jerry Childers to excuse the absence of Curtis Gotschall, Reg Green and Jeff Krebs. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: Dierks. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Gotschall, Green & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative, Finance and Planning:
Action on Current bills and Cost Share Requests: The Committee met and reviewed the current bills. ]It was moved by Mike Russman and seconded by Janet Koinzan to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Gotschall, Green & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED. They also discussed a request for an extension of a cost share application. It was explained that cooperators are notified by letter when their application has been approved and they have 9 months to complete the project. This timeframe is based on the need for the UENRD to expend its NSWCP allocation through the Department of Natural Resources before the end of the fiscal year. If the project is not completed within the allotted time, then the cooperator has the option of applying again in a year. ]It was moved by Mike Russman and seconded by Gregg Felker to deny the request for an extension on the cost share application. AYE: Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Russman & Stewart. NAY: Childers. ABSTAIN: Koinzan & Wiles. ABSENT: Gotschall, Green & Krebs. MOTION CARRIED.
Water Resources & Watershed:
USGS – Phase II Report: Comments from the NRDs, Sue Lackey from the Conservation & Survey and Jesse Bradley were handed out for the Directors to review. Copies of the NRD comments were also sent to USGS regarding the phase II report of the ELM. The group is still waiting for a response from the USGS; however, the LLNRD is still planning to move ahead with phase III of the study. There continues to be discussion regarding a third party review; however, the manner of conducting the review remains in question.
GWMP Rules and Regulations: Gregg Felker reported that there is a meeting scheduled for April 14 at 7:00 PM to finalize the rules and regulations. This meeting will be open to the entire board to ask questions while moving toward the adoption of the GWMP rules and regulations.
Acre Certification-Niobrara designation Update: Since acre certification of the Niobrara designation has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, the Committee has decided to set a date of June 1 for the notification of cooperators in this area.
Mid-Month Meeting: This meeting will be held April 14 at 7:00 PM in the UENRD meeting room in O’Neill.
Personnel, Equipment, Promotion & Education Committee:
Scholarships/Grants: The UENRD has received a grant request for funding assistance for an outdoor classroom. The Committee reviewed the application and decided to put it on hold until next month because they would like more information on the facility.
Staffing Updates: Ted Hughes reported that they discussed the employment status of Nick Hoffman.
Vehicle and Office Structure Issues: Ted Hughes reported that the committee discussed the status of the UENRD office building. The building was built in 1990 and has developed some structural issues that may need to be addressed. Dennis Schueth will contact a contractor to look at the issues and make recommendations.
COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): There is a teleconference scheduled for April 6.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Protection Act Coalition: None
Lower Platte River Basin Coalition: None
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULLY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION – ACTION:
No report. There was some discussion held regarding the Niobrara Council meeting held March 18 surrounding the intentions of the MNNRD and LNNRD and the Niobrara River appropriations.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
Dennis Schueth’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets and a copy is kept on file at the NRD office. These items were already covered in the agenda.
Congressman Adrian Smith, Deputy Chief of Staff Monica Jirik and John Blake from the North Platte office has scheduled a meeting with the UENRD Board of Directors and staff on March 30.
The next board meeting is scheduled for April 26, 2010.
There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM.