2022-03-23 - Rush River RCPP Meeting

MINUTES OF VIRTUAL / CONFERENCE CALL SPECIAL MEETING CASS COUNTY JOINT WATER RESOURCE DISTRICT ORIGINATING AT THE CASS COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT WEST FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA MARCH 23, 2022 A virtual / conference call special meeting of the Cass County Joint Water Resource District was held on March 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Present were Dan Jacobson, Southeast Cass Water Resource District; Rodger Olson, Maple River Water Resource District; Ken Lougheed, North Cass Water Resource District; William A. Hejl and Jacob Gust, Rush River Water Resource District; Carol Harbeke Lewis, Secretary-Treasurer; Melissa Maertens, Administrative Assistant; Kurt Lysne, Josh Hassell and Kevin Pederson, Moore Engineering, Inc.; Keith Weston, Red River Retention Authority Executive Director; Troy Gilbertson, North Dakota Department of Transportation; Mary Scherling and Duane Breitling, Cass County Commissioners; Jason Benson, Tom Soucy and Kyle Litchy, Cass County Highway Department; and Tony Roth, City of Amenia. RCPP - Rush River Watershed Planning public meeting Chairman Jacobson called the Cass County Joint Water Resource District meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance. Josh Hassell reviewed the NRCS RCPP – Rush River Watershed Planning effort that has occurred over the last 6 years. The preliminary FEMA floodplain maps for Cass County that were released in July 2019, mapped a significant portion of the City of Amenia into the floodway. After the FEMA maps are formally adopted, any properties mapped into the floodway with a federally backed mortgage will be required to purchase flood insurance. The RCPP – Rush River Watershed Plan has been approved by the National Watershed Management Center and is awaiting signature from the Chief. Mr. Hassell discussed the current design of the preferred alternative which involves construction of a levee around the City of Amenia. Mr. Hassell briefly discussed a meeting with the City of Amenia on Monday, March 21, 2022, that was held to provide an update on the RCPP – Rush River Watershed Plan and gather feedback on the project design. Discussion was held with the Cass County Highway Department and the North Dakota Department of Transportation on the project design including levee alignment, road raises, installation of various culverts and interior and exterior drainage. Discussion was also held on temporary clay levees that would be needed during certain conditions as part of the current project design. Mr. Hassell indicated any comments, restrictions or requirements regarding the project design should be directed to Moore Engineering, Inc.