The Board of Directors of the Papio-Missouri River NRD has approved an agreement with Offutt Air Force Base through which the base will be requested to contribute $10 million toward the design, land acquisition, upgrade and reconstruction of the R616/R613 Levee System south of Bellevue, NE. The levees were originally built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Missouri River and Papillion Creek flood control. The Natural Resources District operates and maintains the levees.

Since 2010, the NRD has been seeking reaccreditation of the levees through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA accreditation is necessary to show flood plain protection provided by the levees on FEMA flood plain maps. "These levees were invaluable during the epic high water on the Missouri River in 2011," said John Winkler, NRD General Manager. "At that time, the levees performed extremely well and prevented potentially disastrous flooding from occurring to Offutt Air Force Base, the Omaha Wastewater Treatment Facility, other critical infrastructure and agricultural land," he said.

The 19-mile long Missouri River R-616/R613 Levee system is located along the lower reaches of the Papillion Creek from Capehart Road to the confluence with the Missouri River, then along the Missouri River from the mouth of the Papillion Creek north to Highway 370. Portions of the R616 levee is on Offutt AFB property. Four Offutt storm sewers extend through the levee at that location and are in need of significant improvement and/or replacement to function properly.

The NRD will be responsible for obtaining any land rights needed for the project, managing design and construction and maintaining the levees after completion. "We are hopeful that the Air Force and the Department of Defense will see the need to protect its forces, infrastructure, personnel, the environment and the current and future missions of the base and provide federal assistance in upgrading these critical flood prevention structures," said Winkler. ."The proposed Air Force Community Support Agreement will save the military and local taxpayers millions of dollars and protect a vital air force base which protects our nation and makes the world a safer place." He said.

News Release
For Immediate Release May 15, 2015
Contact: John Winkler, General Manager 
Office Phone 444-6222
Cell Phone 402-616-2457

NRD to Request $10 Million From Offutt Air Force Base to Strengthen and Improve Adjacent Missouri River Levees
The Board of Directors of the Papio-Missouri River NRD has approved an agreement with Offutt Air Force Base through which the base will be requested to contribute $10 million toward the design, land acquisition, upgrade and reconstruction of the R616/R613 Levee System south of Bellevue, NE. The levees were originally built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Missouri River and Papillion Creek flood control. The Natural Resources District operates and maintains the levees.
 
Since 2010, the NRD has been seeking reaccreditation of the levees through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA accreditation is necessary to receive federal assistance in repairing flood damage sustained by the levees. "This assistance from FEMA was invaluable during the epic high water on the Missouri River in 2011," said John Winkler, NRD General Manager. "At that time, the levees performed extremely well and prevented potentially disastrous flooding from occurring to Offutt Air Force Base, the Omaha Wastewater Treatment Facility, other critical infrastructure and agricultural land," he said.

The 19-mile long Missouri River R-616/R613 Levee system is located along the lower reaches of the Papillion Creek from Capehart Road to the confluence with the Missouri River, then along the Missouri River from the mouth of the Papillion Creek north to Highway 370. Portions of the R616 levee is on Offutt AFB property. Four Offutt storm sewers extend through the levee at that location and are in need of significant improvement and/or replacement to function properly.

The NRD will be responsible for obtaining any land rights needed for the project, managing design and construction and maintaining the levees after completion. "We are hopeful that the Air Force and the Department of Defense will see the need to protect its forces, infrastructure, personnel, the environment and the current and future missions of the base and provide federal assistance in upgrading these critical flood prevention structures," said Winkler. ."The proposed Air Force Community Support Agreement will save the military and local taxpayers millions of dollars and protect a vital air force base which protects our nation and makes the world a safer place." He said.