No report Presented.

No report presented.

Financial Statement - Mr. Miller reported that the Financial Statement for April, 1999 was in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information.

Accounts Payable - Mr. Meismr 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 April, 1999 be received and placed on file for audit and that the Accounts Payable in the amount of $31,415.95 be paid. Mr. Paulman seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #3)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda

Budget Status - No report presented.

Bids/Proposals - None were presented.

Bids/Proposals Scheduled To Be Presented for Consideration During the May 13, 1999 Board of Directors Meeting - Mr. Miller reported that no bids/proposals were scheduled to be presented for consideration during the June 10, 1999 Board of Directors meeting.

No report presented.

No report presented.

No requests were presented.

Requests for Assistance- High Plains Water Expo - Mr. Miller reported that the 7th annual High Plains Water Expo is scheduled to be held in North Platte, NE on September 22, 1999. Mr. Miller reported that the High Plains Water Expo is for Middle School students in Lincoln, Keith, Arthur, McPherson, Logan and Perkins Counties. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was a letter requesting financial support from the Twin Platte Natural Resources District of $200.00. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was a report for the 1998 High Plains Water Expo and Twin Platte Natural Resources District Board of Directors actions for the previous six years during which the District provided financial support for the Expo.

Mr. Meismer moved that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District provide $200.00 for the 1999 High Plains Water Expo. Mr. Rubenthaler seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #4)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda

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 $6,296.78 was available.

Mr. Cotton moved to approve the May, 1999 report as presented and to approve the 2 new contracts:
Mr. Meismer seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #5)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda

Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Sealing Abandoned Wells - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was the monthly report. Mr. Miller reported that $1,400.00 was available.

Mr. Meismer moved to approve the May, 1999 report as presented and to approve the 1 new contract:

Mr. Weaver seconded the motion, and it carried. (Motion #6)
AYE: Baldridge, Boyer, Cotton, Meismer, Rubenthaler, Weaver,
NAY: None
ABSENT: Fear, Kramer, Paulman, Stack, Svoboda

Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Soil Sampling - Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides $10,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year for soil sampling. Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides that a signed Cost-Share application from the producer must be submitted and approved by the District Staff prior to the practice being performed and that the staff will prepare a summary report that will be submitted to the Board of Directors. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was a report for the applications approved for soil sampling.

Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Soybean Drip Oil - Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides $4,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year for soybean drip oil. Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides that a signed Cost-Share application from the producer must be submitted and approved by the District Staff prior to the practice being performed and that the staff will prepare a summary report that will be submitted to the Board of Directors. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was a report for the applications approved for soybean drip oil.

Cost-Share Programs - District Conservation Program - Irrigation Well Head Buffer Demonstration - Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides $1,000.00 for the 1999 Fiscal Year for five demonstration sites for a buffer area at irrigation wells. Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides that a signed Cost-Share application from the producer must be submitted and approved by the District Staff prior to the practice being performed and that the staff will prepare a summary report that will be submitted to the Board of Directors. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was a report for the applications approved for buffer areas at irrigation wells.

Cost-Share Programs - Nebraska Buffer Strip Program - Mr Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information about the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program.

Tree Programs - Mr. Miller reported that the District personnel have completed tree planting in the District. Mr. Miller reported that 40,050 trees were purchased from Colorado and 5,700 trees were purchased from Halsey. Mr. Miller reported that the District's machine crew planted 19,054 trees for 39 producers at 42 sites, that John Nelson hand planted 6,791 trees at 26 sites, that 153 orders were processed for purchase of 19,905 trees to be planted by individuals and that Mike Ekdahl placed 52,800 feet of water conservation mulch material at 16 sites. Mr. Miller reported that due to problems with the cedar stock received from Halsey that could not be planted, that one EQIP planting of 750 trees was canceled and that 1,346 trees of 3,040 trees planned for a WHIP site were planted.

Range Programs - No report presented.

Soil Conservation Programs - No report presented.

Wildlife Habitat Programs - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information about the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program and the Corners for Wildlife Program.

Water Programs - Ground Water Program - District Programs - - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet for information was a letter to the Ground Water Quality Target Areas Advisory Boards reporting on District activities.

Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was information for a meeting that Cliff Welsh, Keith County Commissioner, coordinated in regard to development occurring and planned at Lake McConaughy. Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Bowers and he participated in the meeting at the request of Mr. Welsh to provide information about District programs. Mr. Miller reviewed the action taken by the Board of Directors in 1974 in regard to the opportunity for developers to obtain information from the District. Mr. Miller reported that the Keith County Subdivision Regulations on Natural Resources provides that "Each request and application for a subdivision in Keith County shall be accompanied by a Resource Conservation Plan prepared by the Twin Platte Natural Resources District, recommending measures needed to control erosion, flooding, and the reduction of sedimentation according to minimum standards and specifications of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District" and that "The Keith County Planning Commission and the Keith County Commissioners shall find and determine the ultimate Resource Conservation Plan that shall be implemented and provide for the terms of such development". Mr. Miller reported that the minimum standards and specifications of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District are the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Technical Guide. Mr. Miller reported that the Natural Resources Conservation Service would prepare a Resources Inventory rather than a Resource Conservation Plan for the District that may be used by developers and the County for development of plans for a subdivision. Mr. Miller reported that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District also has available ground water data for ground water levels and ground water quality that is available for developers, the County Planning Commission's or County Commissioners upon request. Mr. Miller reported on the Bayside Development and the proposed Treasurer Holdings Development.

Water Programs - Ground Water Program - Industrial & Agricultural Facilities - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was information for the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality voluntary ground water monitoring program at livestock operations that was discussed during the meeting in January at the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality offices in Lincoln, NE.

Water Programs -Watershed Program - No report presented.

Water Programs - Platte River Activities - Cooperative Agreement Relating to Endangered Species - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was information for meetings of the Governance Committee and for meetings of the Water Management Committee. Mr. Miller reported that he attends meetings of the Governance 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. Mr. Miller reported that he is participating in meetings in Nebraska about the issues within Nebraska.

Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was a letter from Governor Johanns to Mr. Boyer in regard to the Governor's plans to appoint a Platte River Citizens Advisory Council to become familiar with the work of the Platte River Governance Committee and once the program is completed that the Governor would rely on the Advisory Council to provide advice on whether the State of Nebraska should enter the program. Mr. Miller reported that the Governor plans to have 23 members on the Advisory Council and that he was inviting the Twin Platte Natural Resources District to submit the name of the person who would represent the District on the Advisory Council.

Mr. Cotton moved that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District submit to Governor Johanns the name of Kent Boyer to represent the District on the Platte River Citizens Advisory Council. Mr. Meismer seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #7)

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

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. Mr. Miller reported on a meeting he had with Gary Lewis, Senior Hydrologist for the Cooperative Hydrology Study.

Water Programs - Miscellaneous Information - Nebraska Department of Water Resources Closing Orders for Ground Water Wells - Mr. Miller reported on the status of the Nebraska Department of Water Resources closing orders for five ground water wells within the Twin Platte Natural Resources District and for two ground water wells within the Central Platte Natural Resources District.

Regulatory Programs - Chemigation - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout for information was copy of information being sent to each producer with a Chemigation permit. Mr. Miller reported that the information stresses the need for self-inspection annually and that the District will do an inspection anytime upon request.

Regulatory Programs - Erosion and Sediment Control - No report presented.

Regulatory Programs - Ground Water Runoff - No report presented.

Information & Education Programs- Scholarship - Mr. Miller reported that the District's policy provides for seven scholarships annually for the Nebraska Range Youth Camp and for three scholarships annually for the Natural Resources Leadership Camp for youth. Mr. Miller reported that in the past, the Board has granted one scholarship for a family to participate in the Nebraska Family Range Camp and that if scholarships are requested, the request will be brought to the June 10, 1999 Board meeting. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors notebook and available as a handout was a news release mailed May 10, 1999 and information in regard to the Nebraska Range Youth Camp, the Natural Resources and Leadership Camp for youth and the Nebraska Family Range Camp.

Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors notebook and available as a handout was information for what is hoped will be the first annual Nebraska Ranch Practicum which will be conducted at five sessions at the University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte or at the Gudmunsen Sandhill Lab from June, 1999 to January, 2000. Mr. Miller reported that Don Adams of the University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center has requested that the District provide financial assistance for ranchers to attend. Mr. Miller reported that the cost is $500.00 and that he suggests that the District authorize up to 5 - $100.00 scholarships for ranchers to participate. Mr. Miller reported that a similar request has been made to the Upper Loup, Lower Loup and Middle Niobrara Natural Resources Districts and that he I had talked to the Manager of the Upper Loup Natural Resources District and that he anticipated that Board would be considering a similar level of financial support.

Mr. Meismer moved that the Twin Platte Natural Resources District authorize up to 5 - $100.00 scholarships for ranchers from within the Twin Platte Natural Resources District to participate in the 1999 - 2000 Nebraska Ranch Practicum. Mr. Cotton seconded the motion and it carried. (Motion #8)

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

Information & Education Programs - 1999 Nebraska State Envirothon - Mr. Miller reported that North Platte's Envirothon Team did participate in the State Envirothon and the District did pay for the teams $75.00 registration fee as approved by the Board and that North Platte's Team placed 9th. Mr. Miller reported that Brady's Team chose not to participate in the State Envirothon. Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors notebook and available as a handout for information were the results for the 1999 Nebraska Envirothon.

Legislation - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet and in the Directors' notebook and available as a handout was information the District has received from the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and from the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts in regard to current Legislation. Mr. Miller reported that Legislative information could be accessed on the Internet at the District's Web site. (http://dbdec.nrc.state.ne.us/tpnrd)

Budget Preparation for 2000 Fiscal Year - Mr. Miller reported that in the Directors' packet was a schedule for preparing the 2000 Fiscal Year Budget for the District. Mr. Miller reported that the schedule provides for Board review of the first draft of the Budget during the June Board meeting which is the same schedule followed last year for the 1999 Fiscal Year Budget. Mr. Miller reported that the schedule provides the Board an opportunity to view the first draft of a Budget one-month earlier than the schedule that had been followed in previous years. Mr. Miller reported that the schedule for preparing the 2000 Fiscal Year Budget provides the Board four opportunities to review and discuss the Budget prior to final approval.

Requests for Authorization to Travel - No requests were presented.

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 the recent reports were 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.

There was no other business.

The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m. MST (8:33 p.m. MST).

KOM:MSOMIN1:Bmin0599
TWIN PLATTE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - May 13, 1999