A contract for an engineering study to develop policies related to storm water management in the southern Sarpy County area has been approved by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Board of Directors.
“Now is the time to act to insure that both water quality and potential flooding issues are being addressed before extensive development occurs,” said NRD General Manager, John Winkler. “We can avoid many of the difficulties we encountered in the Papillion Creek Watershed – trying to manage storm water runoff in an area already significantly urbanized,” he said.
In October, 2016 the board approved an interlocal agreement with Bellevue, Gretna, Papillion, Springfield and Sarpy County to form the Southern Sarpy Watershed Partnership to address water issues before the area is developed. The watershed includes all areas of Sarpy County draining directly toward the Elkhorn or Platte Rivers.
The work will take place in three phases over a five year period. The Board approved a phase one contract with FYRA Engineering for $400,640. The cost of the study will be shared among the members of the Southern Sarpy Watershed Partnership.
Unlike the Papillion Creek Watershed, the Southern Sarpy County Watershed has very little stream or water quality data available. The need to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan is the top priority of the new partnership.