Posted on October 4, 2013 at 9:23 AM by Mitch Beaumont
- The consultant design team continues to work on the channel rehabilitation plans which are more than 50% complete at this time. OPPD is currently in the design phase of their relocation plans.
- The consultant design team has also begun work on public education and outreach efforts. Informational brochures are being prepared. A rain barrel program is being formulated for residents to obtain rain barrels. This program is anticipated to launch in early2014. The Thompson Creek Watershed Management project also includes a street filter and four rain garden demonstration projects. The consultant team and City staff performed a field tour to create a list of potential sites for these demonstration projects. These may be installed this fall or next spring.
- An Open House was held on September 17 from 5pm to 7 pm at City Hall. This was attended by approximately 40 persons representing 15 to 20 properties adjacent to the channel rehabilitation area. Watershed management activity interest forms were available and completed by 5 persons. On-line survey forms were also available until October 1, 2013.
- The Nebraska Environmental Trust staff is reviewing the grant application for Year 2 funding of this project. Some review questions have been received and addressed. The NDEQ and the EPA have completed their review and have approved the Project Implementation Plan and the Quality Assurance Protocol Plan that are required in order to receive EPA Non-Point Source funds for this project. This allows for an agreement to be completed for the Year 1 funds. In addition the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District has approved a budget including Year 1 funds for this project.
- An agreement with UNO has been completed to provide pre-construction water quality sampling. As part of this effort an agreement is also in progress with UNL to provide higher order classification of macroinvertibrates that are found in the water quality sampling. The City is also near completion on an agreement with the USGS to perform water quantity measurements in Thompson Creek for pre-construction conditions which will be used to compare to post-construction conditions.