Return to Board Meeting Updates
| Nemaha NRD February
2010 Board Meeting Report Tecumseh – At their meeting Thursday, February 11, 2010, Nemaha Natural Resources District board members were updated on various aspects of the Buck Creek Watershed dam project near Peru. As the project nears construction, action was needed to get started with some preliminary tree clearing at the site. Since Federal guidelines do not allow tree clearing during migratory bird nesting that occurs between April and July, the board authorized staff to obtain three quotes for the clearing so that work may begin as soon as possible using the most cost-efficient contractor. Another time sensitive issue associated with the Buck Creek dam involves improvements to county roads associated with the project. Since use of federal highway funds would be both more costly and not available for several years, the board discussed options to secure alternate funding for the required road improvements. No action was required of the board at this time as staff investigates potential grants for such work. No action was taken yet on a statement of assurance to the Natural Resources Conservation Service regarding land rights obtained for the Buck Creek project. This document is required prior to receiving reimbursement of a portion of the land rights costs. However, it was discovered that all permits for the project must be secured before approving the statement. In conjunction with another dam project, the board was updated on mitigation requirements for the Ray Caspers Muddy Creek road dam project. Last month the board authorized staff to negotiate conservation easements with the landowners involved with this project in an effort to satisfy mitigation requirements for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit. However, the Corps rejected this idea and instead requires creation of new wetlands, which may be less expensive but could require the assistance of a consultant. The annual lease with Bartlett Grain for their use of property involved with the Steamboat Trace trail at Brownville was again up for renewal. As allowed in the lease, the board voted to renew the lease with a three percent increase, which brings the total to $601.01. Potential Urban Special Projects were reviewed by the Board’s Operations and Education Committee, but no action was required at this time. Staff will work with applicants to develop detailed, final applications if eligible components can be identified. A revised resolution was approved regarding a $1 million line of credit with American National Bank. The initial resolution approved by the board last month authorized only the board’s treasurer to execute documents for the loan. This revision would also authorize the General Manager to complete and sign required paperwork. Four well permits were on this month’s agenda. The board approved irrigation well permits for Ted Evans west of Tecumseh and RJRD Land, LLC, southwest of Tecumseh, and two municipal wells located north of Nebraska City for Nebraska City Board of Public Works. The next regular meeting of the Nemaha NRD Board will be Thursday, March 11, 2010, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with committees meeting prior to the regular meeting. Agenda item requests must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on the day before the meeting. |