David A Hibler

The Subcommittee addressed the procurement of scientific equipment for the Pecan Creek Wetland Complex, recommending a waiver from competitive bidding to approve a sole-source purchase from Teledyne ISCO. Additionally, the committee reviewed and recommended the approval of the lowest responsible bid from Nebraska Digging Services for the Beal Slough Stream Stabilization Project at 52nd Street.

The Groundwater Management Plan for Lower Platte South NRD is a strategic document outlining long-term goals, strategies, and actions to monitor and maintain groundwater quality and quantity within the district. Key focus areas include updating objectives for reservoir life, revising groundwater quantity and quality triggers across different management phases, and incorporating new strategies to address groundwater quality, public health, soil health, and joint climate and groundwater monitoring. The plan aims to manage the impacts of climate variability, increasing water demand, and groundwater contaminants like nitrates to ensure clean drinking water and adequate supplies for irrigation, municipal, and industrial usage for constituents across approximately one million acres.

The subcommittee discussed and approved a license agreement with Schulz Outdoors LLC regarding temporary structures in a flood pool easement. They recommended the board approve the 2027 operational agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and a staff salary increase for the fiscal year 2027 based on consumer price index data, alongside a merit and salary adjustment pool. The subcommittee also reviewed the internal practice for approving director expense reimbursement reports and discussed a proposed new performance evaluation tool for the general manager.

The Subcommittee discussed and recommended action on several infrastructure and environmental projects, including the Copper Dollar Cove principal spillway pipe repair, the Nebraska Environmental Trust grant contract for the Pecan Creek Wetland Complex, and professional services amendments for the Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project and the P Street drainage pipe repair. Additionally, the Subcommittee reviewed and recommended awarding the bid for Phase 1 of the Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project construction.

This Groundwater Management Plan for the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District aims to proactively protect and sustain groundwater resources, ensuring beneficial use in conformance with state standards. The plan outlines goals and objectives for both groundwater quantity and quality, focusing on monitoring elevations and contamination, preventing pollution, and encouraging sustainable development. It details management strategies, including non-regulatory approaches like public education and voluntary practices, alongside regulatory authorities to address issues such as nitrate contamination, total dissolved solids, emerging contaminants, and quantity concerns arising from geology, climate, and water use.