UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
October 24, 2011 -- 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 8:14 P.M. by Chairman Tim Knuth.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Scott Beckman Chris Dierks Curtis Gotschall Reg Green Ted Hughes
Jim Keller Tim Knuth Jeff Krebs Mike Russman Roy Stewart
Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
Jerry Childers Jake Dvorak Gregg Felker Jerry Heithoff
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Tom Riley, Water Resources Manager
Kelly Kloppenborg, Water Resources Technician
Beth Walsh, Information & Education/Chemigation Coordinator
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT:
Jim Mathine – NRCS – Butte Jon Kenning, NDEQ – Lincoln
Dan Waldow – Creighton David Miesbach, NDEQ – Lincoln
Jack Fuchtman – Creighton Pat O’Brien, NARD – Lincoln
Ryan Chapman, NDEQ – Lincoln
AGENDA:
]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Reg Green to approve the amended agenda with corrected meeting date. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers, Dvorak, Felker & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the September Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Jeff Krebs and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the minutes of the September Meeting. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers, Dvorak, Felker & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
]It was moved by Roy Stewart and seconded by Chris Dierks to approve the September Treasurers Report. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers, Dvorak, Felker & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC FORUM-INPUT:
Bill Sitz – NRD Boundary Line Discussion: Dennis Schueth explained to the board that he has received a request to transfer groundwater irrigation rights between the UENRD and LLNRD and the potential to change NRD boundary lines. A map of the Level 10 hydrologic Units was handed out for the board to review. Upon explaining that the NRD has not allowed this type of transfer, Mr. Bill Sitz brought up the fact that he is actually in the Cedar Creek watershed that drains to the LLNRD. They are gathering information to present to the board possibly at the November board meeting.
NDEQ – DAVE MEISBACH AND PAT O’BRIEN:
Dave Meisbach discussed his background with the UENRD and his role at the Department of Environmental Quality regarding the monitoring of large livestock facilities. Title 130, which are the regulations for animal feeding operations, authorizes DEQ to monitor livestock facilities for point source pollution. This would include lagoons, monitoring wells, soil sampling and waste application. Dave discussed the various ways they monitor livestock waste facilities and how they can determine potential contamination.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report: Ted Hughes reported that they met following the NARD annual conference in Kearney. Some of the highlights included reviewing the audit and looking into putting up a building at Husker Harvest Days. Their next meeting will be in Gothenberg in November. They also held a Risk Pool meeting. Ted reported that the financial statements are very positive with approximately $600,000 being generated annually. Conference is scheduled for January 24 & 25, 2012 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln, NACD Conference January 29-February 1 in Las Vegas, and the Washington D.C. conference will be held March 11-14, 2012.
DNR Report: No Report.
NRCS Report: Jim Mathine’s report was sent out to the Directors prior to the board meeting. Jim highlighted the Area 4 Range Judging held near Emmet; the NRCS budget continuing resolution; the high number of wetland determination requests; and, the retirement of Jan Jorgensen and Donna Wright
RC&D Report:
North Central RC&D: Minutes were distributed to the Directors.
Loup Basin RC&D: Minutes were distributed to the Directors.
Northeast RC&D: Minutes were distributed to the Directors.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets. Beth also handed out the results of the Area 4 Range Judging contest and a list of the projects and programs sponsored by the NARD.
Water Resources Report: Tom Riley’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets. Tom discussed the status of the nitrate readings; the date from ET gauges which have been collected and are still being downloaded; static water levels and flowmeter readings. Tom has also downloaded the census data and updated the sub-district map for the election of board of directors. There will be no changes to the UENRD subdistricts. Tom and Dennis attended the Elm meeting October 19 to discuss the plans for Phase III and the limited funding for the project. Tom also attended the spatial interpolation methods workshop sponsored by Dr. Chen, UNL Conservation & Survey Division.
EBVC Update: None.
ELM: Reported earlier.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Chris Dierks to excuse the absence of Jerry Childers, Jake Dvorak, Gregg Felker and Jerry Heithoff. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers, Dvorak, Felker & Heithoff. 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 Mike Russman and seconded by Jeff Krebs to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers, Dvorak, Felker & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED. The Committee also reviewed the Operations Policy and will be making recommendations to the rest of the board at an upcoming meeting.
Water Resources & Watershed Committee:
Northeast Antelope Water Issues Meeting Update: A joint meeting between the UENRD, LNNRD, L&CNRD and NDEQ has been scheduled for 3:00 on October 25 in Creighton. A meeting with all interested parties regarding the water quality in northern Antelope County will be held later that evening at 7:00 PM.
CVA-Fertilizer/Grain Storage Hub-West of Royal: Dennis Schueth showed the Board the plans Central Valley Ag has made to develop a fertilizer/grain storage hub west of Royal.
Lower Platte North NRD Integrated Management Plan – Request to NDNR: The LPNNRD is requesting that they be allowed pursue the development of their Integrated Management Plan even though they are not required to submit one at this time. Dennis Schueth pointed out that NRD will have a better opportunity of receiving additional funding for water programs if they have an Integrated Management Plan.
NRCS Soil Web Survey: Dale Wiles reported that the committee watched a presentation on the NRCS Soil Web survey.
Transferring active Surface Water Rights to Groundwater: The committee will be discussing different options for transferring acres and presenting their recommendations to the board.
COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): No Report.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Coalition: No Report.
Lower Platte River Basin Coalition Meetings: No Report.
TRANSCANADA/KEYSTONE PIPELINE POSITION-FORWARDING EXISTING POSITION OF OPPOSITION:
Dennis Schueth reported that he will be sending the UENRD position on the TransCanada/Keystone XL Pipeline to the
U.S. Secretary of State.
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.
NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING:
The November board meeting will be held November 28, 2011 at 2:30 P.M. with committee meetings beginning at either 1:30 – 2:00 depending on the agenda.
]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Dale Wiles to adjourn the Board meeting at 11:00 PM. AYE: Beckman, Dierks, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Childers, Dvorak, Felker & Heithoff. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M.