UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

October 27, 2008 -- 8:00 P.M.

O’Neill, Nebraska

 

CALL TO ORDER, STATEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND OPEN MEETING LAW NOTIFICATION:

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 8:07 P.M. by Chairman Dale Wiles.

 

DIRECTORS PRESENT:

Jerry Childers               Chris Dierks                 James Dvorak               Gregg Felker                Curtis Gotschall

Reg Green                    Ted Hughes                  Jim Keller                    Jeff Krebs                     Mike Russman

Roy Stewart                 Dale Wiles

           

DIRECTORS ABSENT:    

Jerry Heithoff               Tim Knuth                    Janet Koinzan               

 

STAFF PRESENT:

Dennis Schueth, General Manager

Tylr Naprstek, Water Resources Manager

Beth Walsh, Information & Education/Chemigation Coordinator

Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

Jerry Kovarik – NRCS – O’Neill                     

 

AGENDA:

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

 

MINUTES:

The minutes of the September Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the minutes of the September Meeting.  AYE:  Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  Dierks.  ABSENT:  Heithoff, Knuth & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

TREASURERS REPORT:

]It was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Jerry Childers to approve the September Treasurers Report.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Heithoff, Knuth & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

PUBLIC FORUM-INPUT:

None

 

AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:

NARD Report:  Ted Hughes reported that the NACD building renovations have been completed.  He also reviewed the status of the NARD insurance program and its finances.  They have been able to build up the cash reserve and once they hit the target amount they are planning to reimburse the District for their earlier contributions. 

·  Fall Conference Reports:  Dennis Schueth reported that the final resolutions and action taken were sent out in the Director packets.  He also reviewed some of the comments regarding upcoming legislation made by DNR personnel. 

 

DNR Report:  No Report.  Dennis Schueth handed out a flow chart depicting the jobs and responsibilities within the Department of Natural Resources.  He pointed out that DNR has made some staff assignment changes so the UENRD will be working with some new individuals on the Groundwater Management Plan. 

 

NRCS Report:  Jerry Kovarik handed out his report at the board meeting.  Jerry announced that Andy Keep, new RC in the Neligh office, started working October 14; and, the Soil Conservationist position in Ainsworth has been advertised.  All offices have been busy working on performance reviews and the 2009 EQIP applications.  

 

RC&D Report:

North Central RC&D:  Minutes were included in the Director packets.     

Loup Basin RC&D:  Minutes were included in the Director packets.     

Northeast RC&D:  Minutes were included in the Director packets.     

 

Information & Education Report:  Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets.  Beth reported that one of the Senior Scholarship recipients contacted the office regarding their scholarship.  The recipient transferred to another college and will not begin classes until January, which makes them ineligible for the scholarship based on the guidelines.  Scholarship guidelines require recipients to attend college the semester following graduation so this scholarship will be offered to the alternate.  

 

Water Resources Report:  Tylr Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets.  Tylr reported that static water measurements have not been completed due to the inclement weather.  There are approximately 40 left and should be completed in the next week.  Transducer data will be collected during the next month with results available at the November meeting.  Tylr also reported on the tree database to assess acres of trees removed, GIS training and flowmeter costshare.  There are 96 well applications to date.  

 

EBVC Update:  No Report. 

 

ELM:  Dennis Schueth reported that the ELM project is moving forward.  There will be a meeting with DNR on November 6 to review the funding for the project. 

 

EXCUSED ABSENCES:

]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Jim Keller to excuse the absence of Jerry Heithoff, Tim Knuth and Janet Koinzan.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Heithoff, Knuth & Koinzan.  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 Jeff Krebs to approve the current bills for payment.  AYE:  Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Hughes, Keller, Krebs, Russman, Stewart & Wiles.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  None.  ABSENT:  Heithoff, Knuth & Koinzan.  MOTION CARRIED.  The Committee also discussed the addition of soil sensors and data readers to the NSWCP NC 17 practice.  Several questions were raised regarding the new cost share practices so the Committee has requested more information and decided not to take any action at this time. 

 

Water Resources & Watershed Committee: 

GWMP, Rules & Regulations Update:  The Water Resources & Watershed Committee met prior to the board meeting.  Gregg Felker reported that the Groundwater Management Plan Rules and Regulations update is on hold while we are waiting on input from DNR.  There are some areas of concern in the District regarding nitrates and potential phase 2 areas; however, the process of designating new phase 2 areas would run smoother with the updated GWMP Rules and Regulations. 

Special Report Ground-Water Recharge Plan – 1992 FY 08-09:  The Committee reviewed the Special Report Groundwater Recharge Plan from a 1992 study. 

Natural Resources Water Quality Fund:  The Committee reviewed the budget for this fund which includes flowmeters, training, conferences, weather stations, monitoring wells and maybe some additional transducers. 

National Educational Meetings – GMDA, NACD & NWRA:  Information for the upcoming meetings was distributed.  Dennis Schueth discussed the meetings and reviewed the district funding available for Directors to attend these National meetings.  A survey will be sent out to measure the interest by the Board in attending these meetings. 

 

NEBRASKA SCHOOL-LAND SALES:

Reg Green passed around a section of the Neligh News & Leader listing the various parcels of school lands, which are for sale.  He questioned whether or not this land should be broken up for crop production due to conservation practices installed on the land and whether or not cost share dollars were used. 

 

COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:

Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover):  No Report. 

Nebraska Ground Water Management Coalition:  No Report.

Lower Platte Basin Coalition:  Dennis Schueth reported that they met with DNR and G&P representatives last week.  They are still discussing what reasonable prudent alternatives would entail.  Another meeting will be scheduled to continue this discussion. 

 

NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULLY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION – ACTION:

Dennis Schueth reported November 17 is the final hearing on our case with DNR.  He also reported that the Upper Big Blue NRD lost their case against DNR regarding the question of the 10/50 line.        

 

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 informed the Board of a public notice that he received regarding the Atkinson Sand & Gravel Inc.  They would like permission to fill in old oxbows with sand from their gravel pit. 

 

The next Board Meeting will be held November 24, 2008 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 9:50 P.M.