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| Nemaha NRD July
2010 Board Meeting Report Tecumseh – Nemaha Natural Resources District Board members reviewed budget figures for the fiscal year beginning July 1 during their regular meeting Thursday, July 8. With the end of the previous fiscal year only a week earlier, many figures were still not firm in the proposed budget. However, it appears the new budget will hover around $6 million when all figures are finalized. Construction of the flood control dam on Buck Creek near Peru along with the continuation of the Iron Horse Trail Lake renovation project will account for nearly a third of the total expenditures. Watershed management efforts in the Buck & Duck Creek Watersheds, which are intended to protect the two flood control dams planned on these creeks, will also add to the expenditures. Work in the Muddy Creek Watershed is slated to finish up this year as well. Along with review of the budget, the Board voted to increase the restricted fund allowance an additional one percent for the FY2011 budget. Restricted funds include property taxes and state aid payments and are automatically increased 2.5 percent each year with the option to increase another one percent upon 75% approval of the board. While this does not mean the NRD will be increasing it’s tax request, it does provide the authority to do so; and any amount not used is banked for future years. No action was taken by the board to set a date for a special board meeting in August for the purpose of discussing the budget. The board’s executive committee felt at this time the budget was very close to being balanced, so an additional meeting later in August might not be needed. Two bids were received for construction of a wildlife habitat dam for Randy Miller west of Crab Orchard in Gage County. B.A.B., Inc., Adams, was awarded the contract with their bid of $58,996.97. The project should be completed by the end of the summer, and the NRD’s share of the cost is $10,000. Approval was given for a Supplemental Agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for rehabilitation of Wilson Creek dam 8-H in Otoe County. This structure east of Syracuse along the new Highway 2 location has been reclassified as a high hazard structure, which requires some changes to the structure. As sponsors of the original project, this agreement requires the NRD to provide 35% of the cost of this rehabilitation, which is estimated at around $700,000. Several NRD board members expressed concern with the cost of the project to the District though additional funding sponsors may be sought. A timetable for construction will be dependent on appropriation of federal funds, so construction may not occur for two or three years. Board members discussed the opportunity to purchase used playground equipment for use at Kirkman’s Cove recreation area near Humboldt. Two different sets were potentially available for purchase at Table Rock and Dawson. After discussing the opportunities, the board voted to pursue purchase of both sets for use at Kirkman’s Cove and possibly at Iron Horse Trail Lake near DuBois as well. Two permits submitted by David Antholz for irrigation wells west of Cook were reviewed and approved. Board members reviewed developments in the efforts to establish a mitigation plan for the Ray Caspers road dam within the Muddy Creek Watershed project. Last month the board had voted to purchase wetland mitigation credits from the Blue Heron Wetland Mitigation Bank. The mitigation plan is required in order to meet requirements to secure a Corps of Engineers 404 permit for the project. A lengthy discussion was held on the proper maintenance of terrace systems in the NRD. Some directors had expressed concern about systems, particularly those paid for with tax funds, that were not adequately maintained following construction. Projects that are cost-shared through the state Soil & Water Conservation Program require a minimum 10-year maintenance plan. The next meeting of the Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors will be held Thursday, August 12, 2010, beginning at 8:00 p.m. at the NRD headquarters in Tecumseh. Committees will meet prior to the regular meeting. |