LINCOLN, Nebraska – The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD) Board of Directors approved accepting ownership of the Two Creeks Prairie from the City of Lincoln (City) when the Board met virtually on March 16th. The transfer of the 100-acre tract, near SW 84th Street and Old Cheney Road, is the second in a series of three planned transfers, over three years, involving City-owned properties included in the development of the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch project. The transfers are at no cost to LPSNRD. 

The planned ten-mile tallgrass prairie conservation corridor, between Pioneers Park and Spring Creek Prairie, south of Denton, will eventually include a recreational trail and a trail link to Conestoga Lake. LPSNRD has developed one main component of the corridor, the Steifel-Johnson Trailhead, just north of Two Creeks Prairie. The City, Audubon Spring Creek Prairie and LPSNRD are partners in the multi-year project.

The annual schedule for developing LPSNRD’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget and Long Range Implementation Plan (LRIP) was also accepted by the Board.  Budget preparation begins each April and the process includes several opportunities for public input:

• Wednesday, June 15th, 6:00 PM – Board of Directors Meeting and Public Input Session
• Wednesday, July 20th, 7:00 PM – Board of Directors Meeting & Tentative Budget Approval
• Wednesday, August 10th, 5:30 PM – Public Hearing on Budget
• Wednesday, August 17th, 7:00 PM – Board of Directors Meeting and Budget Approval
• Wednesday, September 14, 7:00 PM – Board of Directors Meeting, Approval of LRIP and Tax Levy Rate Resolution

The first draft of the budget will be available at LPSNRD.org around June 3rd and public input at the June 15th Board of Directors meeting will give directors the most time to consider and implement the public’s suggestions.  Written comments from the public will be accepted at each of the listed meetings.

The Board approved four applications for cost-sharing on farm ponds.  All four, besides being eligible for cost-sharing under LPSNRD’s district-wide Farm Pond Program, qualify for additional cost-sharing, because they are located within the Twin Lakes Watershed.  A federal Section 319 grant is being administered in the watershed through the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. LPSNRD matching funds are also available, with a goal of keeping soil and nutrients on the land and out of East and West Twin Lakes, just northwest of the Interstate 80 Pleasant Dale exit. Approved applications were submitted by Debra Troyer, Andrew DeJong, The Thomas L. Sieck Revocable Trust and Joshua Helge, all of Seward County. 

Farm Pond applications were due in February, but enhanced cost-sharing remains available throughout the Twin Lakes watershed for a variety of other best management practices. The enhanced cost-sharing is also being offered for terraces, grassed waterways, basins, buffer strips, wetlands, stream stabilization projects and for planting cover crops.  Interested landowners should contact the Seward County NRCS office.

The Board also received the district’s annual Groundwater Management Plan Review. The publication includes district-wide results of groundwater quality and quantity monitoring, areas of management (groundwater reservoirs, community water system protection areas, etc.), irrigated acre certifications, reports on our groundwater best management practice programs and much more. The 2021 report is available at LPSNRD.org.

In other business, the Board:

• Accepted additional federal reimbursement funding ($150,628) for the Upper Salt
• 3-A Watershed Rehabilitation Project, near Sprague
• Approved cost-sharing applications from landowners for four surface water quality best management practice projects ($65,000)
• Awarded a contract for Salt Creek levee repairs at Calvert Street to Gana Trucking and Excavating ($27,000)
• Approved two professional services agreements with E&A Consulting Group for Beal Slough bank stabilization projects near 52nd Street and Highway 2 ($39,000) and near 40th Street and Highway 2 ($21,000)
• Approved a professional services agreement for a Deadmans Run drainage pipe replacement at 63rd Street with JEO Consulting Group ($22,000)
• Approved an amendment to an interlocal agreement with the City of Hickman increasing LPSNRD’s maximum cost-sharing amount for the Hickman 68th Street Bike Trail Underpass Community Assistance Program project ($133,192 including the latest increase)
• Approved one-year agreements with the Lincoln Journal Star for the printing and distribution of the “Know Your NRD” newsletter ($48,000) and for digital and print advertising ($17,500)
• Moved the start time for the June 15th Board meeting to 6 PM. The September Board meeting date was moved to Wednesday, September 14th, starting at 7 PM. Both changes were to accommodate the budget process.
• Approved a Letter of Agreement with HBE accountants for State Budget Form assistance.

The next meeting of the LPSNRD Board of Directors will be Wednesday, April 20, 2022, starting at 7 PM at the NRD office, 3125 Portia Street, Lincoln. The public is invited to attend.