The Nemaha Natural Resources District board approved $220,000 at its meetings Thursday to engineer renovations at Iron Horse Trail Lake.
The 360-acre recreation area in Pawnee County opened in 1985 with an 85-acre lake, but NRD Manager Bob Hilske said sediment has made up to 30 percent of the lake unusable.
The Flatwater Group, a Lincoln engineering firm, will oversee sediment removal, the construction of a sediment basin and a variety of in-lake fish habitat enhancements.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is funding about two-thirds of the $3.2 million project through its aquatic habitat program.
The NRD expects to bid the project out this fall with construction to begin soon after. The lake will be closed in 2010 for construction.
The District has been attempting to lower the lake level for the past month or so, but frequent rain events have continued to keep the lake full. Iron Horse Trail Lake will be closed to public access in 2010 to allow completion of the project.
In other action, the NRD board approved cost-share for three small to be built next year. The projects include a flood control dam for Ed Bruening in Johnson County, which is also within the Turkey Creek Watershed; lake improvements at Camp Cornhusker (Boy Scout Camp) in Richardson County; and a wildlife habitat project for Randy Miller in Gage County. Total cost to the NRD for the three projects is estimated at $67,500.
Due to the cancellation of two projects planned for the Muddy Creek Watershed, the board discussed options for obligating excess funds. They voted to allocate the available $75,000 to three landowners who had expressed interest in having a grade control dam on their property. In related action, the board also agreed to refund a $1,000 dam construction deposit to Duane Caspers. Since his Muddy Creek dam would only be receiving EQIP funds it would, therefore, be designed by NRCS and not require the NRD to serve as contracting officer.
An offer to install a civil defense siren at Kirkman’s Cove was reviewed by the board. The Richardson County Emergency Management director offered the siren at little or no cost to the District. The board directed staff to develop an agreement with Richardson County for the siren.
Three quotes were reviewed for providing property, liability, and workers compensation insurance for the District in FY2010. After interviewing each agency and reviewing the coverage and quotes provided, the board voted to select The Casey Agency, Johnson, as the District’s agent of record for its insurance beginning July 1, 2009.
After several months of working on a salary schedule for NRD staff, the Executive Committee presented its recommendation to the board. Total increase in all wages combined was limited to 2.5 percent, and health insurance premiums will increase 1.5 percent this year.
Tecumseh, Neb. —
