No report Presented.

No report Presented.

Financial Statement - Mr. Meismer reported that the Financial Statement for August 1999 and September 1999 were in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information.

Accounts Payable - Mr. Meismer reported that the Accounts Payable report was in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout and that he had reviewed the Accounts Payable and found the report to be in order.

Mr. Meismer moved that the Financial Statement for August, 1999 and September 1999 be received and placed on file for audit and that the Accounts Payable in the amount of $14,657.93 be paid. Mr. Svoboda seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #5)
AYE: Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Svoboda
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Cotton, Kramer, Stack, Weaver

Budget Status - Mr. Meismer reported that the Budget Status report was in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout. Mr. Meismer reported that there were no new or additional overruns.

Bids/Proposals - No report presented.

Bids/Proposals Scheduled To Be Presented for Consideration During the November 4, 1999 Board of Directors Meeting - Mr. Miller reported that no bids/proposals were scheduled to be presented for consideration during the November 4, 1999 Board of Directors meeting.

Board of Directors Meetings - Mr. Meismer reported on the September 28, 1999 Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Board of Directors meeting.

Annual Conference, North Platte, NE - Mr. Meismer reported on the - Mr. Meismer reported on the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Annual Conference held in North Platte, NE September 27-28, 1999.

Policy Book - Mr. Meismer distributed for information the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts 1999 Policy Book.

No report presented.

Mr. Boyer reported on the activities of the Platte River Citizens Advisory Council. Mr. Boyer reported that the advisory council was appointed by Governor Johanns to monitor the activities of the Platte River Cooperative Agreement and to prepare reports and recommendations for the Governor.

No requests were presented.

Requests for Assistance - No requests were presented.

Cost-Share Programs - Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation Program - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was the monthly report. Mr. Miller reported that $39,877.05 was available.

Mr. Meismer moved to approve the October, 1999 report as presented and to approve the 5 new contracts:
Mr. Paulman seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #6)
AYE: Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Svoboda
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Cotton, Kramer, Stack, Weaver

Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Approved Programs for 2000 Fiscal Year - Sealing Abandoned Wells - Mr. Miller reported that in the Director's notebook and available as a handout was the monthly report. Mr. Miller reported that $2,300 was available.

Mr. Svoboda moved to approve the October, 1999 report as presented and to approve the following 1 new contract:

Mr. Meismer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #7)
AYE: Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Svoboda
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Cotton, Kramer, Stack, Weaver

Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Additional Programs for 2000 Fiscal Year - Soil Sampling - Mr. Miller and Mr. Bowers reported on the District's Soil Sampling Cost-Share Program for the 1999 Fiscal Year which was funded by Natural Resources Enhancement Funds. - No report presented.

Mr. Meismer moved that the District establish a soil sampling cost-share program for the 2000 Fiscal Year utilizing the following guidelines: · The cost-share shall be $15.00 per sample for each 40-acre sample submitted to the lab, with a limit of $300.00 per producer per year. · An initial sign-up period shall occur from November 1 - December 31. During November 1 - November 30, 50% of the authorized funds will be designated for use within the Water Quality Target Areas and 50% of the authorized funds will be designated for use outside of the Water Quality Target Areas. If authorized funds remain after November 30, the remaining authorized funds will be designated for use anywhere in the District during December 1 - December 31. If authorized funds remain after the initial sign-up period, a second sign-up period shall occur from January 1 - April 30. During January 1 - January 31, 50% of the authorized funds will be designated for use within the Water Quality Target Areas and 50% of the authorized funds will be designated for use outside of the Water Quality Target Areas. If authorized funds remain after January 31, the remaining authorized funds will be designated for use anywhere in the District during February 1 - April 30. · A two-part sample will be required. The top part of the sample will be taken from 0-8 inches and will be tested for Nitrate Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potassium, Sulfur, Zinc, pH, and Organic Matter. The second part of the sample will be taken in the range from 8-36 inches, and will only be tested for Nitrate Nitrogen. A shallower sample will be accepted where soil types will not allow a deeper sample. Sampling will be discontinued once gravel is reached. · Recognizing that sampling needs vary, one composite sample per 40 acres is preferred with special attention given to sampling where there is a significant soil type change or change in terrain. · Applications will be accepted only for irrigated fields. · Information required by the District is the cropping history, expected yield and next years crop choice, which will allow the lab to calculate a recommended fertilizer application rate. A copy of the lab report and a copy of the billing are required to receive reimbursement. · Laboratories doing the testing shall be registered with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. · A producer's farm unit is limited to participating in the program for no more than two years. · A signed Cost-Share application from the producer must be submitted and approved by the District Staff prior to the practice being performed. The staff will prepare a summary report that will be submitted to the Board of Directors. and to provide $10,000.00 for the 2000 Fiscal Year. Mr. Paulman seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #8)
AYE: Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Svoboda
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Cotton, Kramer, Stack, Weaver

Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Additional Programs for 2000 Fiscal Year - Soybean Drip Oil - Mr. Miller and Mr. Bowers reported on the District's Soybean Drip Oil Cost-Share Program for the 1999 Fiscal Year, which was funded by Natural Resources Enhancement Funds. The Directors agreed not to authorize a cost-share program for the 2000 Fiscal Year for Soybean Drip Oil.

Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Additional Programs for 2000 Fiscal Year - Demonstration Sites for a Buffer Area at Irrigation Wells - Mr. Miller and Mr. Bowers reported on the District's Soybean Drip Oil Cost-Share Program for the 1999 Fiscal Year which was funded by Natural Resources Enhancement Funds.

Mr. Meismer moved that the District establish a cost-share program for five demonstration sites for a buffer area at irrigation wells for the 2000 Fiscal Year utilizing the following guidelines:
· The Cost-Share shall be up to $200.00 per site.
· The producer shall be required to maintain the buffer area for 10 years. · A signed Cost-Share application from the producer must be submitted and approved by the District Staff prior to the development of a demonstration site. The staff will prepare a summary report that will be submitted to the Board of Directors.
and to provide $1,000.00 for the 2000 Fiscal Year. Mr. Paulman seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #9)
AYE: Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Svoboda
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Cotton, Kramer, Stack, Weaver

Cost-Share Programs - Nebraska Buffer Strip Program - No report presented.

Tree Programs - Urban Forestry Program - Applications for Community Programs - Brady - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was a summary report for the District's Urban Forestry Program. Mr. Miller reported that the District is currently funding programs in North Platte, Ogallala and Sutherland and that in previous years that the District has funded programs in Paxton and Hershey. Mr. Miller reported that Brady has requested a new program for the 2000 Fiscal Year and that $331.00 could be allocated for the 2000 Fiscal Year. Mr. Miller reported that Brady has met all of the requirements to participate in the District's Urban Forestry Program.

Mr. Paulman moved to approve an Urban Forestry Program for Brady and authorize funding for the 2000 Fiscal Year of $331.00 for the Brady Urban Forestry Program. Mr. Meismer seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #10)

AYE: Boyer, Fear, Meismer, Paulman, Rubenthaler, Svoboda
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Cotton, Kramer, Stack, Weaver

Tree Program - Available Tree Stock for 2000 - Mr. Slattery reported on the availability of tree stock for 2000.

Range Programs - No report presented.

Soil Conservation Programs - No report presented.

Wildlife Habitat Programs - No report presented.

Water Programs - Ground Water Program - - - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was the 1999 Fiscal Year Fourth Quarter report for the District's 319 Project. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information about the 1999 Water Expo, which the District participated. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was ground water monitoring information and Mr. Bowers reviewed the reports. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was information about the Lake McConaughy Water Interpretive Center. Mr. Miller reported that the District was invited to have a representative participate as a member on the Lake McConaughy Water Interpretive Center Education Committee and that he had requested the District's Water Programs Technician, Ann Fisher to participate for the District.

Mr. Meismer moved that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District support and co-sponsor the application to the Nebraska Environmental Trust for funding the project titled "Platte River Valley Irrigation Well Census" that is being coordinated by the Tri-Basin Natural Resources District and that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District expects to contribute staff time, in-kind support and input for the project. Mr. Weaver seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #11)
AYE: Boyer, Cotton, Fear, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Stack, Svoboda, Weaver
NAY: None
ABSENT: Baldridge, Kramer, Paulman,

Water Programs -Watershed Program - Mr. Miller and Mr. Slattery reported on the maintenance for the Brule Watershed.

Water Programs - Platte River Activities - Cooperative Agreement Relating to Endangered Species - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was a draft outline for a Nebraska New Depletions Plan. Mr. Miller reported on the development of the Water Action Plan and the activities within Nebraska in regard to the development of the plan. Discussion occurred in regard to the draft outline for a Nebraska New Depletions Plan and in regard to development of the Water Action Plan and the activities within Nebraska. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information for meetings of the Governance Committee, the Water Action Plan Committee and the Water Management Committee. Mr. Miller reported that he attends meetings of the Governance Committee, the Water Action Plan Committee and the Water Management Committee as his schedule allows with a priority for attending meetings of the Water Management Committee which he is a member and the Water Action Plan Committee. Mr. Miller reported that he is participating in meetings in Nebraska about the issues within Nebraska.

Water Programs - Platte River Activities - Cooperative Hydrology Study - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information for meetings of the sponsors for the Cooperative Hydrology Study.

Regulatory Programs - No report presented.

Information & Education Programs- Scholarship - Mr. Miller reported on the District's awards that will be presented November 8, 1999 during the North Platte Chamber Farmer/Rancher Appreciation Banquet and that will be presented December 14, 1999 during the District's Awards Banquet.

Legislation - Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Boyer and he had met on September 20, 1999 with Senator Don Pederson. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was the outline Mr. Boyer and he used for discussion during the meeting with Senator Pederson. Mr. Miller reported that he would be scheduling a similar meeting with Senator Gerald Matzke later this fall after harvest is completed for Mr. Boyer, Mr. Rubenthaler and himself. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was the latest draft for Water Banking legislation that is expected to be considered during the 2000 Legislative session.

Requests for Authorization to Travel - No requests were presented. Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Carhart chose not to attend the Old West Regional Range Judging Contest in Miles City, MT October 2-3, 1999. Mr. Miller reported that the Board had authorized Mr. Carhart to attend the Old West Regional Range Judging Contest as Mr. Carhart is chairperson of the Nebraska Range Judging Committee and that the chairperson usually attends and participates in the Old West Regional Range Judging Contest. Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Carhart chose not to go to Miles City, MT when he determined that there would be adequate help participating for the number of participants scheduled to compete.

Personnel Reports -Mr. Miller reported that the staff prepares written reports for all activities that we participate in outside of the District. Mr. Miller reported that recent reports are included in the Directors' packet for information. Mr. Miller reported that the field staff prepares weekly reports of activities, contacts and mileage. Mr. Miller reported that the recent reports were in the Directors' packet for information.

Meetings and Dates of Interest - Mr. Miller reported that various items of information were in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout.

Miscellaneous Information - Mr. Miller reported that various items of information were in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout. Mr. Miller reported that Ogallala and the Lake McConaughy area is initiating a Trails Committee and that he would be participating as an advisor. Mr. Miller reported that an initial meeting of the Ogallala/Lake McConaughy Trails Committee occurred on October 6, 1999.

There was no other business.

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. MST (6:30 p.m. MST).

KOM:MSOMIN2:Bmin1099
TWIN PLATTE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - October 14, 1999