SPNRD August Board of Directors Meeting

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, the South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) Board of Directors (Board) hosted their monthly meeting at 5:00 p.m. at the South Platte NRD Conference Room (551 Parkland Drive, Sidney NE).

Galen Wittrock, SPNRD Assistant Manager, briefed the Board on Oliver Reservoir. This summer AmeriCorps volunteers assisted with repairs and updates to the area, and the Rip Rap Replacement Project near the Principal Spillway was finished.

AmeriCorps volunteers were in Kimball County for multiple weeks and assisted with several projects around the community. A team of 10 people participated, ages 19-25. “AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improvising lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more.” (per the AmeriCorps website at https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/what-americorps)

Wittrock presented the Board with a video of a portion of the Rip Rap Replacement. He explained that the amount of rip rap placed near the Principal Spillway is imperative to the function of the dam, principal spillway and flood prevention. Over the years the rip rap has moved with water levels and wind; but the SPNRD has also seen vandalism of the rip rap, to include some of the rocks being dropped into the base of the primary spillway. When rip rap is missing, it exposes the fabric under it. When the fabric is exposed it allows wave action to erode the soil under the fabric, damaging the integrity of the dam. This project replaces the rip rap and helps protect the dam from possible failure.

Wittrock presented the 2020 SPNRD Conservation Tree Program Summary to the Board. Total Seedlings ordered and distributed for the year were 31,602. Tree Project Revenue for the year was $36,737.25; expenses came to $38,413.93; leaving a loss of $1,676.68. Wittrock reminded the Board the goal of the project is to break even each year, and that a slight increase to the tree sale rates may be necessary in the coming year.

Rod Horn, SPNRD General Manager, reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budgets. This preliminary review covered the SPNRD, Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area (ORRA) and the Citizens’ Monitoring Committee (CMC) budgets.

For questions or more information please contact the South Platte NRD at 308-254-2377 or visit us online at http://www.spnrd.org. SPNRD Board of Director Meetings are held every 2nd Tuesday of the month.

COVID-19 precautions: The South Platte NRD is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. At this time the office will remain open and staff will continue District operations. Group meetings and gatherings have been canceled or will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please follow CDC recommendations if you are planning to come into the office. Staff is available by phone and email to answer any of your questions.