LINCOLN, Nebraska – The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD) Board of Directors has waived aquifer testing and hydrogeologic analysis requirements for two additional water supply wells at Monolith’s plant near Hallam, but discussion about other variance requests related to the two wells was tabled. 

Monolith has determined a need for the two additional wells as backup for the first proposed well. During its April 21 meeting, the Board approved variance requests that Monolith not be required to complete the same aquifer testing required for the first well, under LPSNRD groundwater rules. The decision by the Board follows a joint recommendation from LPSNRD Water Resources Specialist Dick Ehrman and the NRD’s consultant, LRE Water. In the recommendation, Ehrman said test hole logs for the second and third proposed wells indicate additional testing would not provide any significantly different information from testing that was required for the first well. Monolith also requested variances on monitoring the levels and water quality of the additional two proposed wells. Discussion of those variance requests was tabled until the next meeting. 

Stormwater improvement projects related to the Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project, Salt Creek stream stability, Little Salt Creek and Beal Slough are included in a stormwater management agreement approved by the Board. The annual Work Plan for the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Lincoln and LPSNRD for the next fiscal year lists guidelines and specific projects on which the two will cooperate. Some of the projects are prioritized in master plans created for more than a dozen delineated watersheds in Lincoln. LPSNRD and the city are equal partners in the projects, which are added to the Work Plan as funding allows.

The LPSNRD Board also approved 26 applications from landowners for cost-share assistance to install conservation measures on cropland under LPSNRD’s Summer Conservation Program. The applications for 2021 total $370,536 and proposed projects include terraces and grassed waterways.

In other action the Board:

• Approved an agreement with the Lincoln Journal Star for the printing and distribution of LPSNRD’s newsletter.  ($47,970)
• Approved a second agreement with the Lincoln Journal Star for print and digital advertising ($18,000)
• Approved an agreement with Firespring for the purchase of television advertising time ($20,000)
• Approved staff salary adjustments for FY 2022
• Approved an Annual Operational Agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture (NRCS, USDA)
• Approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Association of Conservation Districts for FY 2021 technical assistance funds.