UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS MEETING
October
22, 2007 -- 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 8:04 P.M. by
Chairman Jerry Heithoff.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Jerry Childers
Chris Dierks
James Dvorak
Reg
Green
Ted Hughes
Jim Keller
Tim Knuth
Janet Koinzan
Jeff Krebs
Mike Russman
Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
Gregg
Felker
Curtis Gotschall
Janet Koinzan
Roy Stewart
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis
Schueth, General Manager
Beth
Walsh, Information & Education/Chemigation Coordinator
Marsha
Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT:
None
AGENDA:
]It
was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Jerry Childers to approve the amended
agenda. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Krebs, Russman &
Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Knuth, Koinzan & Stewart.
MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the September Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ]It
was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Chris Dierks to approve the minutes of
the September Meeting. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Krebs, Russman &
Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Knuth, Koinzan & Stewart.
MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
]It
was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Jim Keller to approve the September
Treasurers Report. AYE: Childers,
Dierks, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Krebs, Russman & Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Dvorak,
Felker, Gotschall, Knuth, Koinzan & Stewart.
MOTION CARRIED.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report:
Ted Hughes reported on the NARD Board meeting and
committee meetings held during the past month.
They reviewed the auditors report; Ted noted the insurance program
figures, which are very positive compared to last year; he explained a couple of
the income accounts; and, reported that Dean Edson would be attending the NWRA
Conference in Albuquerque NM where the Association will be receiving an award
for its intern program. Ted also
updated the Board on the lawsuit, which has been filed against the Association
in Nebraska regarding the insurance program.
DNR
Report: Garry
Anderson e-mailed his report and copies were distributed to the Board.
Dennis Schueth reviewed the discussion regarding the Leigh dam and
obligated Resource Development Funds that have not been spent.
He noted that the RDF balance could be viewed as unused funds by the
legislature.
NRCS
Report: No Report.
RC&D Report:
North
Central RC&D:
No Report.
Loup
Basin RC&D:
Chris Dierks mentioned the Happy Jack Chalk Mine festivities surrounding
Halloween.
Northeast
RC&D:
No Report.
Information & Education Report:
Beth Walsh’s report was
mailed out in the Director’s packets.
Water Resources Report:
Tylr Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets.
EBVC
Update: Dennis Schueth reported that Phil Steinkamp and
Marsha Hart are working on the program reimbursements.
ELM:
Dennis Schueth reported that the ELM Committee met and interviewed 2
individuals for the coordinators position.
It would seem that the salary and benefits package is not competitive
enough for these individuals to consider leaving their current positions;
however, there is one applicant they are negotiating with for the position.
Dennis also updated the group on the project and the modeling. The order of modeling for the basins was Loup, Elkhorn and
Niobrara; however, they did not expect a portion of the Niobrara basin to be
labeled fully appropriated this soon.
Husker
Ag & Plot Tour (September 27): Directors attending the tour
gave a brief summary of their thoughts. Items
discussed regarding the plot tour included whether or not the District needed to
continue funding nitrogen management demonstrations at the conclusion of the
current study; and, possibly studying nitrogen management on a different soil
type. The Husker Ag tour brought
about a discussion on water usage by ethanol plants and whether or not they
should have a flowmeter.
EXCUSED
ABSENCES:
]It
was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Chris Dierks to excuse the absence of
Gregg Felker, Curtis Gotschall, Janet Koinzan and Roy Stewart.
AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs,
Russman & Wiles. NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT:
Felker, Gotschall, Koinzan & Stewart.
MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative, Budget and Finance
Committee: The
Legislative, Finance and Planning Committee met prior to the Board meeting and
reviewed the current bills. ]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Mike Russman to approve the current bills
for payment. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs,
Russman & Wiles. NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT:
Felker, Gotschall, Koinzan & Stewart.
MOTION CARRIED.
Water
Resources & Watershed Committee:
DNR Preliminary Basin Review (Draft):
Dennis Schueth reported that the District received a
certified letter from the Department of Natural Resources explaining the
Niobrara preliminary fully appropriated designation, which effects a portion of
the UENRD. No more well permits or
expansion of irrigated acres can be issued in the designated area of the UENRD.
Dennis passed out a map of the area and explained the reasoning behind
including this area. Any section in
which the Elkhorn River passes through is considered to be fully appropriated;
however, there are some sections that it does not appear the river passes
through. These sections will be
requested to be removed in the UENRD testimony at the hearing held by DNR.
UENRD Well Permit Restrictions-Language: Dale Wiles and Dennis Schueth presented a
handout with some suggestions to the wording on the UENRD well permits.
There has been some concern expressed regarding the intent of this
wording if the UENRD becomes fully appropriated and that there may need to be a
change. After a lengthy discussion
there was no action taken by the Board.
U S Department of the Interior Joint Funding (Stream Gauge – Ewing):
Dennis
Schueth has received the interlocal agreement from the U S Department of the
Interior U S Geological Survey regarding the stream gage at Ewing.
]It
was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Jim Keller to approve the interlocal
agreement between the U S Department of the Interior and the Upper Elkhorn NRD
for the stream gage at Ewing. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs,
Russman & Wiles. NAY:
None. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Felker, Gotschall, Koinzan & Stewart.
MOTION CARRIED.
October 17 Meeting Update:
The Committee is still reviewing the NRD groundwater
management plan. The remainder of
the items from the meeting were discussed under other agenda items.
USGS-AGE
DATING COST:
Dennis Schueth spoke with Greg Steele regarding
the age dating information collected approximately four years ago within the
UENRD. Originally, UENRD staff was
going to analyze this data and develop a report; however, there has been a
change since these arrangements were considered.
USGS is now offering their services to generate this report.
It was the consensus of the Board at this time not to pursue the report.
NGPC-BIOLOGICAL
OPINION-PLATTE RIVER (FULLY-APPROPRIATED STATUS) REQUEST TO DNR:
Dennis Schueth handed out information relating to the DNR preliminary
determination as it relates to the Elkhorn River Basin; statute 46-713 (3c);
NGPC request to DNR; the NGPC Biological Opinion of the pallid sturgeon, piping
plover and least terns; and, the summary of the PS/SC report.
Dennis explained that the NGPC has requested a hearing from DNR regarding
why the Platte River Basin was not labeled fully appropriated and offered a
biological opinion for their consideration.
The Board reviewed the information and Dennis reported that the PS/SC
Task Force would be meeting on October 23, which may offer more insight to the
issue. ]It
was moved by Tim Knuth and seconded by Dale Wiles to allow UENRD staff to work
with other organizations and enter into any agreements with other interested
parties to review the NGPC biological opinion and to develop any necessary
responses to the biological opinion or decision made by DNR that may label the
basin fully appropriated. Expenses
should not exceed $5000. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs,
Russman & Wiles. NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT:
Felker, Gotschall, Koinzan & Stewart.
MOTION CARRIED.
ROYAL
ZOO:
Reg Green reported that the zoo in Royal has been closed since May do to
a delay by the USDA in renewing their license. Since that time the Dept of Ag is still determining a penalty
for the unfortunate situation that occurred with the escape of the chimps.
Do to all the uncertainty Zoo Nebraska and Northern Antelope County are
suffering economically. ]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve to send a letter to
the U S Department of Agriculture requesting that the Zoo Nebraska in Royal
licensing issues be resolved. AYE:
Childers, Dierks, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman
& Wiles. NAY:
Dvorak. ABSTAIN:
None. ABSENT: Felker, Gotschall, Koinzan & Stewart.
MOTION CARRIED.
COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska
Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): No Report.
Pallid
Sturgeon/Sturgeon Chub Task Force: Meeting
October 23.
Nebraska
Ground Water Management Coalition:
No Report.
Water Policy Task Force: Meeting October 22.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
Dennis
Schueth’s report was mailed out to the directors prior to the board meeting in
their packets. A copy is included
with the official copy of the minutes in the office. Dennis reported on a drainage problem in the Chambers area
and the Demonstration being held in Meadville on October 24.
The
next Board Meeting will be held November 26, 2007 at 2:30 PM with Committee
meetings beginning at 1:30 PM.
There being no further business to come before the Board,
the meeting was adjourned at 10:12 P.M.