The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD), in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), hosted the third round of public meetings for the North Fork Elkhorn River Flood Risk Reduction Plan.
One meeting was held in Osmond on Wednesday, Sept. 17, and the second meeting was held later the same day in Pierce.
The LENRD Board of Directors selected JEO Consulting Group for the development of a flood risk reduc tion plan for the North Fork Elkhorn River watershed, which includes the communities of Foster, Magnet, McLean, Osmond, Pierce, Plainview, and Wausa.
The two meetings in September served as the third of three rounds of public meetings planned for the project. The purpose of these meetings was to outline the sources of flooding in Osmond and Pierce; share the list of alternatives evaluated to reduce flood risk; and provide an overview of the alternatives best suited for implementation.
The plan for Osmond included three separate areas. The northeast flood reduction plan includes an earth berm east of the homes built on North Park Street. It would be approximately 10 feet wide at the top and 7.6 ft. tall. The LENRD HOLDS PUBLIC MEETING TO SHARE PLAN estimated cost would be $520,595.
The next plan is for a road raise for Fourth Street. The road will be raised an average of 3 feet which, according to JEO, would reduce flooding in the downtown almost completely. Estimated cost is $2,229,850.
The next area is the 12 homes south of Highway 20, which were identified as needing nonstructural flood-proofing improvements. These would be in conjunction with structural alternatives, according to JEO’s plan. The estimated cost on this one is $1,648,900.
Dillon Vogt of JEO said they looked at those 12 homes and couldn't find a way to keep the water away from them, so they looked at ways to get the homes up above the flooding elevation. There is a cost for that in the plan, if it moves forward, and it will be up to the individual homeowner if they want to pursue that, he said.
All of the costs involved with these plans are dependent on federal funding, so it is a multi-phase project. This part of the project is the study phase, which should be wrapped up by the end of the year, Vogt said.
Then it will go to Washington, D.C. and the NRCS approves it. At that point, it can officially be sent to Congress, and ask for further funds to pursue design and eventually construction, Vogt continued.
The study has already been fully funded, and it was necessary for these meetings to be held in order for the LENRD to move forward and request federal funding.
Other than federal funding, the city can also pursue grant money. Mayor Dennis Kuhl commented that the city is willing to move forward with the plan, saying "It is definitely a high priority.”
Residents can provide feedback on the proposed draft plan: Projectrelated questions or written comments can be submitted during the public comment period: Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
Funding for this project is provided by the NRCS Watershed and Flood Preventions Operations (WFPO) Program. For more information, visit the project website at jeo.com/ north-fork-wfpo. The plan documents are available at https://www. nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/nebraska/ projects-ready-for-public-commentand- review. Information on how to submit comments for the plan are also available there.
