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| Nemaha NRD May
2007 Board Meeting Report Tecumseh – Several requests for variances to allow the issuance of permits to drill wells were attended to during the monthly meeting of the Nemaha Natural Resources District on Thursday, May 10. Two variances that were granted were for irrigation wells, one for Leon Bowman 1.5 miles south of Princeton, and the other for John Rinne 2.5 miles west of Julian. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission had requested to drill three wells one mile east of Nemaha to be used to flood about 220 acres for a public use wetland management area. Coincidentally the Auburn Board of Public Works also requested to drill three wells 1.5 miles east of Nemaha for public water supply purposes. After consultation with both entities, there was assurance that the Game and Parks wells would be constructed so that flood waters would not enter them. The NRD board approved the variance requests to construct all six wells. Because the last of the variances on the agenda was received just prior to the meeting, the board decided to postpone action until staff had more time to investigate the impact of the two wells involved. Two applications for Urban Special Project funding were presented by the Operations and Education Committee for board action. The City of Nebraska City requested cost-share assistance to construct a concrete trail along the north side of 4th Corso from 19th Street to the pedestrian bridge at South Table Creek in Steinhart Park. The Village of Burr requested funds to help with a wood chip trail through their park. The board approved cost-share assistance of $20,000 and $515, respectively, for the projects. Funding is limited to a maximum of 50 percent of the project, and work must be completed by June 1, 2008. In an official proclamation passed by the NRD board, a segment of the Steamboat Trace trail south of Peru has been officially declared the “Roland Sherman Memorial Area.” Sherman, who passed away in 2006, spent countless hours carving unique artwork into the sandstone bluffs along the trail. Recently, a local Eagle Scout, Mark Spangler, completed a memorial to Sherman along the trail. In addition to the carvings, Sherman and his wife, Jean, volunteered many hours toward the development of the trail. The Roland Sherman Memorial Area begins near mile marker 17 and extends south approximately 1,000 feet. Signs will be erected to identify the area, and a dedication is slated for June 23. In other action, the board approved a policy for authorizing attendance by staff and board members at meetings and conferences not already included in the budget. They also approved an easement across the Steamboat Trace to access property enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program on land owned by Martha Schaffer. A resolution to enter into an agreement with the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Risk Management Pool for the administration of the group health and dental program was also approved. The District was approached by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to serve as local administrator for the renting of prescribed burn equipment to be provided by the Commission. However, several board members cited liability concerns; and, therefore, the board voted not to participate. The next regular meeting of the Nemaha Natural Resources District board of directors will be on Thursday, June 14, 2007, beginning at 8:00 p.m. at the NRD headquarters, 62161 Highway 136, Tecumseh. |