GRAND ISLAND- The Central Platte Natural Resources District’s board of directors approved the request to help the City of Gibbon with improvements to the storm water system in the amount of $50,000. Heavy flooding this spring caused backup in city streets and surrounding areas, as well as in the sanitary sewer lift stations- creating a situation where the citizens were unable to use the City’s sanitary sewer system. Jess Hulbert, Olsson Associates, said the entire project is estimated at $150,000.

-Western Projects Committee- Ron Bishop, general manager, reported that funding assistance for feasibility is a possibility for the proposed Elm Creek Reservoir Project through the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. In light of the funding possibilities, the board approved two contracts with Olsson Associates to continue studies of the area. The first contract for $23,150 will develop a groundwater model to simulate the groundwater pumping requirements to maintain groundwater levels in the Elm Creek area. The model will be used to simulate the groundwater conditions and determine the number of wells that would be required to maintain the groundwater at a pre-determined level.

The second contract approved for $16,820 will provide detailed field surveys of the Elm Creek Channel and structures to define channel capacity and restrictions within the defined channel reach. The HEC_RAS model created in the preliminary study will also be refined to determine the locations of channel restrictions and capacity of structures within the Elm Creek channel. A maximum capacity of the channel under current conditions will also be determined.

-Eastern Projects Committee- The board also approved a study to be conducted by Olsson Associates (OA) for the Prairie Creek Watershed Project. In November, about 30 residents in the watershed requested that the NRD provide some type of flooding relief. An initial study of the watershed was conducted in 1986. The new study will utilize the 1986 study by reviewing existing conditions of the bridges and channel of Prairie Creek and comparing those studies from the mouth of Prairie Creek and the Platte River to Hwy 281. The 1986 hydraulic model will also be redeveloped and compared. OA will do an analysis of flood flows and evaluate additional alternatives to reduce the flooding along the Prairie Creek Channel. Since funding is nearly exhausted for this fiscal year, the board approved that half of the $56,350 study be conducted now and half be conducted after July 1, 2009. OA will report to the board on the completion of the first half to see if the project is a possibility. Funding will be requested from counties and cities in the watershed.

-Water Resources Committee- It was requested that the directors review the latest drafts of the Basin-wide Integrated Management Plan (IMP) as well as the Central Platte NRD’s IMP and provide comments back to staff.

-Water Banking- Ron Bishop distributed a spreadsheet on transactions made. The NRD still needs to acquire 2,100 ac/ft of water to get back to 1997 levels, and potentially more to get the area below Elm Creek (over-appropriated) back to fully appropriated. Bishop also gave an update on options available in transferring payments through the Water Banking Program including CREP. Through this federal program, landowners will receive $120/ac for 15 years to seed land to grass and $1,100/acre foot of water to the river for a permanent retirement of acres. The Game & Parks Commission is also offering $7/ac to allow hunting on land seeded to grass.

--Governance Committee- Mark Czaplewski reported briefly on actions taken by the Governance Committee of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program who last met in Denver on December 2 and 3, 2008. The Governance Committee spent considerable time working on and subsequently approving the Program’s 2009 budget. Other items of note included the Governance Committee’s approval of the recommended membership of the ISAC (Independent Science Advisory Committee) who are charged with ensuring the use of sound science in Program matters, and also approved the membership of peer review panels to review specific Program monitoring and research efforts and protocols. The Governance Committee approved proceeding with the acquisition of it’s first land purchase, Tract 0815, a 370 acre parcel of land west of the Overton, Nebraska bridge. The next meeting of the Land Advisory Committee is scheduled for January 15, 2009 in Kearney.

-NRCS- Mike Pavel, Resource Conservationist- Kearney, reported that the NRCS is conducting a national audit. The Central Platte NRD has 246 cost share contracts that will be reviewed for the national audit by Dec. 26, 2008. Pavel also reported that EQIP will begin in January.

-Nominating Committee- The nominating committee recommended Barry Obermiller for board chairman and Ed Kyes for vice-chairman for the upcoming two years. The election will be held in January.

-Middle Platte Caucus- It was reported that the Middle Platte River Basin Caucus will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2009 at the CPNRD office. Directors were encouraged to attend to appoint a representative. Ladd Reeves, director-elect, is currently serving as representative. A Water Resources Committee will be held prior to the caucus to review current water issues facing the CPNRD.

-Cost Share- 32 applications were approved through the Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation and the Central Platte NRD Programs in the amount of $78,053.32. Practices approved include pipeline, windbreak renovation, center pivot incentive, surge valve, flow meter, tree planting and well decommissioning.

-NARD Rep Elections- Jerry Wiese was named voting delegate for the upcoming Nebraska Association of Resources District’s (NARD) Legislative Conference in January; with Jim Bendfeldt named as alternate. Bill Vasey was named NARD Board Member with Jim Bendfeldt named alternate.

-Audit Report- The 2008 audit report conducted by Miller & Associates was accepted.

-Dawson County Land Sale- The sale of property in Dawson County was approved.

Awards- Outgoing board members received plaques for their years of service to the board:

Keith Stafford- 20 years

Loren Schuett- 13 years

Dan Ohlman- 8 years

Dick Mercer received an award for his 35 years of service on the board. Mercer has two years left on his current term.