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| Nemaha NRD Jan.
2007 Board Meeting Report Tecumseh – With their first meeting of a new year on Thursday, January 11, the Nemaha Natural Resources District board of directors spent much of the first part of the meeting selecting new leadership for 2007. First on the agenda was appointment of Jim Rush, Tecumseh, to fill the vacancy in Subdistrict 6. No other letters of interest were received for the position. Oath of office was also administered to newly elected and appointed directors. Officers elected to serve this year are: Chair-Ted Godemann, Falls City; Vice-Chair-Scott Kudrna, Auburn; Secretary/Treasurer-Duane Sugden, Sterling. Representing the Nemaha NRD on the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts board of directors will be Orval Gigstad, Syracuse, with Lisa Beethe of Elk Creek serving as the alternate. Dan Watermeier, Syracuse, was chosen as the Nemaha River basin’s representative to the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission. One more bit of director business remains due to the resignation of Dave Neddenriep, the other director serving in subdistrict 6. In his letter of resignation provided to the board, Neddenriep stated he and his wife had recently moved out of the District. Therefore, the board directed staff to again advertise to fill a vacancy in this subdistrict, which stretches from Tecumseh to Auburn. Neddenriep’s term was set to expire at the end of 2008. The board’s Programs and Projects Committee reviewed requests from three landowners for variances to allow construction of several irrigation wells. Binder Farms, whose requests had been turned down earlier by the board, appealed the decision. Their request was for two wells near Sterling estimated to pump 1,500 gallons per minute. What made their situation different, however, was their desire to pump water from the wells into the Nemaha River so that it could be withdrawn downstream for irrigation near Elk Creek and Table Rock. While the NRD has authority over permits for groundwater use, the State of Nebraska has the say on surface water issues. The board seemed split on whether to allow the variance, but ultimately the permits were approved on a 10-8 vote, with one abstention. Tom Snodgrass requested a variance to allow two irrigation wells, estimated to pump 500 gpm, near Julian. NRD staff indicated that the wells were within guidelines established in the District’s groundwater management plan. The board voted to approve the variances. Similarly, Jim Dieckgrafe asked for a variance to construct an irrigation well southeast of Cook. This well was estimated to pump 800 gpm, and was also deemed within guidelines. Board action was taken to approve the request. In other action, the District’s long-range plan was approved with only minor changes; and copies are available upon request at the NRD office. Clarifications of the method for placing items on the board meeting agenda were the only revisions included in a change to the District’s bylaws. In order to comply with new public meeting law requirements, anyone wishing to be on the board’s agenda must provide enough supporting information to adhere to the law. The board also revised its expense reimbursement guidelines for directors to encourage them to use the most cost effective methods of travel. Updates were also made to reflect the current per diem rate for board members, which is $50. The next regular meeting of the Nemaha Natural Resources District board of directors will be on Thursday, February 8, 2007, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the NRD headquarters, 62161 Highway 136, Tecumseh. Agenda item requests must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. |