Comments on Wetland Regulations in Cherry County Development Plan and Zoning Regulations

Submitted at monthly meeting of Planning and Zoning Board; January 3, 2017. The comments herein indicated have been slightly modified from those provided at the meeting.

After reading my statement, none of the members of the board made any comment, and the chairman moved to the next agenda item. When a question was asked later in the meeting on how the board would address this matter, this request was once again basically ignored as no member of the zoning board made any effort — nor indicated any interest — to address this issue. It was obvious that the planning and zoning board members basically ignored this request to get the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations to have similar details.

The planning and zoning policy of Cherry county needs to be revised to indicate an accepted regulation based upon a clause indicated by the Cherry County Comprehensive Plan. Currently, this is not the situation.

Denoted in Implementation Strategy for Policy 4; Point A. Item 2 in the Cherry County Comprehensive Development Plan:

“All development (again, development does not include agriculture) potentially affecting wetlands must comply with state and federal wetlands protection programs.” (Cherry County Comprehensive Plan, 1997) “Development shall leave a naturally vegetated buffer surrounding all wetlands. Roads and utility lines may cross these buffers, but the project’s site plan should minimize such crossings.”

The verbiage is different in the zoning regulations where the provision indicates that all wetlands will be identified. Yet, there are no further indications of the purpose(s) for this clause.

The discrepancy is obvious. Therefore the variance needs to be actively considered and changed to indicate current conditions.

Any applicant should be required to provide written documentation with any Conditional Use Permit request to indicate compliance with, most notably, federal regulations, as well as any applicable state regulations regarding wetlands.

According to a representative of the Nebraska regulatory office of the Corps of Engineers at Omaha: "In order to determine if a wetland is isolated, and that the Corps does not have jurisdiction," an Approved Jurisdictional Determination should be completed by the person proposing the work, or the landowner. This determination would determine "whether a wetland or pond is a Waters of the U.S. (jurisdictional) or Waters of the State (not jurisdictional). "If it is jurisdictional a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit is required for impacts." ... "For the most part, the type of wetland is irrelevant to jurisdiction." The Corps cannot require that this determination be completed. An email response also indicated that only the Corps of Engineers can determine the "jurisdictional" status.

The zoning regulations should be updated to conform with the clause given in the county plan.

Corps to Investigate Possibility of Illegal Wetland Filling

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been asked to investigate the possibility of wetlands being filled at a facility operated by the City of Omaha at 11th and Locust street. During a recent visit, there was dirt placed within areas with may potentially be wetlands, especially on the northwest and eastern extent of the site which is adjacent to Levi Carter Park.

According to a Corps official, the City of Omaha has not received a permit that would allow any fill activity at this location.

The Corps of Engineers is responsible for regulating wetlands through provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

An Analysis of Proposed R-Project Corridor

An analysis of the proposed corridor for the r-project, the Nebraska Public Power District indicates the places and land features which will be altered by construction of the industrial powerline.

The proposed route shown raises many questions as to the rational for the chosen corridor. Why does the corridor follow a route of "greater impact" to grasslands and wetlands, for example? Why isn't every opportunity possible taken to follow current roadways rather than traversing undeveloped grasslands? Why are seemingly erratic changes made in the route.

NPPD has not made available any details on why the particular route was chosen and the factors considered in their decision. It is not possible to understand their reasoning for their preferred corridor. If the company is going to impose this industrial powerline on the region, they should provide details that justify their route selection to land-owners and others concerned about conserving unique sand hill resources.

Although this powerline is not welcomed by land-owners along the route and others, it is still valuable to undertake a detailed analysis. The following comments are based upon a review of available maps associated with the route (especially those available at www.nationalmap.gov) , starting at its western terminus at the Gerald Gentleman power plant near Sutherland.

Route Analysis

As the route heads northward from the east side of Sutherland Reservoir, it does follow a roadway until it reaches the north side of the North Platte River. A couple of mile northward, the roadway veers westward while the corridor continues northward along the west side of Birdwood creek for eight miles through an area of sandhills with only scattered ranch trails and no land development features.

An alternative evaluated but not selected could have routed the corridor 3.5 miles to the east.  Although this route does not follow the roadway present, towards the north land is agland with center-pivot irrigation systems.

An eastern route could follow along a roadway from three miles east of the reservoir to about four miles north of the North Platte River. At this point, the line could go directly east, crossing Highway 97 until it reaches Highway 83. This option is shown on the NPPD map, but was not selected.

This alternative would completely avoid any impacts to the grassland habitats west of Birdwood Creek and completely avoid placing a powerline over the west branch of this creek.

At Highway 83, the corridor could start 2.5 miles further to the south than the preferred route indicated.

The powerline should continue along Highway 83 to avoid impacts to outlying areas, though it will destroy any scenic views.

South of Thedford about 3.5 miles, the corridor suddenly shifts a mile eastward of the highway for two miles, then jogs eastward another one-half mile, apparently to avoid a hill.

This is no apparent reason that the corridor could not continue along Highway 83 to Highway 2, and then eastward to the present power-substation. Or even adjacent to the present powerline along the T21-22N R27W boundary.

Instead, there would be two distinct powerline corridors in this immediate vicinity.

The corridor of this other powerline, which is already present, goes diagonally to the northeast as it leaves Thedford, and continues for about ten miles until it goes into Cherry county.

For the r-project line, the route goes straight north for six miles and then straight east along a route through the sandhills where there are no roadways for numerous miles.

The proposed corridor would be be placed just south of Carson Lake (PEMF and PEMC wetlands) and other wetlands to its immediate south; which is one mile north of the county road visible at the bottom of the map graphic. (Information from www.nationalmap.gov)

Once again, the rational for not following the current corridor is not indicated.

There is the possibility that the proposed corridor was selected to so that the proposed Thedford wind facility would have to construct a lesser extent of powerline to connect to the new powerline. It would require about 4-5 miles with the preferred route, versus about twice this length if the alternative indicated here was utilized.

It seems enigmatic that the proposed Thedford wind-turbine facility and the proposed r-project line would have such a close conjunction.

The route continues along a county road one-half mile north of Purdum for 1.5 miles, and then continues eastward across the North Loup River and onward across sandhills ranchland.

Eventually in northern Blaine county, the corridor goes past an unnamed wetland, and then Goldman lake, and between this lake and others wetland a mile to the southward.

At 2.5 miles into Loup county, the route is moved a mile northward and follows this alignment throughout the county. This entire length is thorough sandhills grassland, and is immediately north of the Switzer, Morgan and Price ranches, which are the eastern core of the Greater Gracie Creek Important Bird Area. There are numerous wetland features in the vicinity of Gracie creek.

Upon reaching Garfield county, after a mile, the route is moved to one mile south of the county line. Within four miles the line would be built on the south side of Carson lake and between it and other wetlands to its immediate south.

The proposed corridor would be placed between the PEMF wetland at the bottom and the unnamed wetland along in the center of this combined aerial photograph and designated wetlands graphic.

There is a north-south county road 1.25 miles eastward of the Loup-Garfield counties boundary.

The corridor could follow this right-of-way to two miles south of the north Garfield county line and avoid the Carson lake wetland complex entirely; as well as other wetlands eastward near Highway 7. This would also provide easier access and avoid impact to sandhills grasslands.

By continuing the route along this alignment, the powerline would not split through the Rush lakebed — which still has wetlands — and the unnamed lake to its north. Both of these wetland locales are associated with nearby Chain Lake in Holt county.

The corridor continues straight when suddenly four miles west of the Garfield-Wheeler counties boundary, it is moved a mile northward.

There are no land features obvious on the maps to provide the reason for this shift.

The route should instead continue in a straight line until one mile east of the Wheeler county line. Starting two miles west of the county line, there is a county road which goes northward one mile, then eastward one mile to the county line. The route could then go northward another miles to the county road, and follow this route eastward, as proposed by NPPD.

Again, for some unknown reason, instead of following the roadway along the county boundary, at five miles west of the eastern boundary of Wheeler county, the corridor is shifted one-half mile to the north, so it goes into Holt county and continues through the middle of five land sections until the eastern terminus is reached at the current western transmission line along the Holt-Antelope counties boundary.

Where this shift occurs, the line would go through an undeveloped grassland area as shown on current aerial photographs. It would then go through the middle of several ag fields watered by center-pivot systems, and place the powerline just south of the Sehi reservoir, rather than one-half mile to the south. There are also several areas of timber along this corridor. There is much less woodland along the county road.

Once again, there is no apparent rational for this change in alignment.

Conclusion

The preferred route as designated by NPPD is not acceptable for many reasons, and especially due to some of the reasons indicated in this analysis. The route selection seems to be erratic at times and not done with sufficient attention to important environmental resources. The designated route should be withdrawn.

If NPPD insists on constructing the r-project, they need to have more people involved in the route selection, especially residents and others concerned with the fate of the sandhills and its resources.

Early History of Wetland Ditching in Cherry County

Ditching of wetlands has been a regular practice during the past in Cherry County, Nebraska sandhills, and these articles indicate some of its initial history.

"N.S. Rowley of Kennedy informs us that he, in company with Messrs. Bachelor and Ball, on Tuesday completed a drainage ditch two miles in length, ten feet wide and five feet deep, which will drain what is known as Boardman Swamp, and make about 1800 acres of good, dry land, which after awhile will produce an enormous amount of hay." — July 19, 1900. Additional local. Valentine Democrat 15(26): 5.

"Hon. David Hanna was up from Woodlake Tuesday to attend the republican convention, and went west to Alliance from here to attend the republican congressional convention. We acknowledge a pleasant visit with Mr. Hanna who says that he and David Hancock are going to get a ditcher to ditch and drain swamps this spring. By this means several of the swamps down around the lakes can be drained and made valuable hay land that are now practically useless." — March 17, 1904. Talk of the town. Valentine Democrat 19(9): 1.

A land survey map from 1874 shows the swampy conditions originally in this area.

A second map shows the swampy conditions along Goose Greek, in the adjacent township in 1914.

"A 'flying machine' was unloaded here last week, leastwise it was so labeled. Drayman Randall did the unloading, and it was some task, the machine weighing about 15 tons. After closer investigation of the machine it proved to be a 10 ft. ditcher, with which John Bachelor intends to drains the swamps on his home ranch." — April 25, 1912. Valentine locals. Valentine Democrat 27(16): 1.

This section of Boardman Creek was one of the first places in the the county to have a ranch established, with the Waite Ranch indicated on the 1882 land survey map. A map of the same section from 1900, shows the extensive number of land claims, and the Boardman Swamp in the southeast corner.

"J.C. Carson of Irwin was in the city Wednesday on business, and while at the county clerk's office was surprised to find that there was a warrant for him which had been issued in 1910 for services on the election board in his precinct. It had been overlooked by both Mr. Carson and the office, and its discovery was a surprise to both parties. Mr. Carson is president of the Horseshoe Lake Drainage district, formed this summer to drain lands in the vicinity of his large ranch near Irwin. Work has already been begun by the Fred M. Crane Construction Co. of Omaha in digging ditches. A big forty-ton ditching machine does the work, which will be of the greatest benefit to the community. As Mr. Carson owns the most land in the district his assessment will be the largest, but he informed the clerk that as soon as the levy was determined he would at once pay his assessment in full, so that the district would have funds on hand with which to pay bills." — October 20, 1916. Drainage district active. Valentine Republican 29(52): 1.

A land survey map from 1912 already indicates a ditch in this area.

"Thousands of valley hay land in Cherry county, which have hither-to been swampy wastes, will be rendered valuable this summer by the construction of a large drainage ditch in Boardman Valley, southeast of Valentine, one of the richest valleys in the state, according to Engineer A.B. Green, who is making a survey of the project. Several attempts have been made during recent years to construct a successful drain of this large waste, but owing to small ranges of hills, a ditch of proper depth has never been made. The plans now on foot are to deepen and straighten one of the old ditches and drain all the swamps into the Boardman river." — January 26, 1923. Reclaiming hay land in Cherry County. Wood Lake Stockman 12(30): 1.

"After a hearing talking nearly five days, the county commissioners this noon approved the formation of the Middle Loup Drainage District in southern Cherry county, and ordered the holding of an election of the interested freeholders to determine whether the district shall be formed, and if it is, who the officers shall be.


"The district was proposed by L.W. Lowe and others whose land forms a fairly compact block, and who propose to drain Felts lake, Big Alkali lake, the Cooley and other swamps, southeast through lands owned by Elsie E. Davis, W.L. Adam and others, and the lands of the latter were to be included in the district, forming a tail of land. The owners of the tail objected on the ground that the ditch would do them no good, and probably damage them. They finally made an offer to be included in the district, provided that the proponents agree to pay them any damages which the ditch might prove to cause to their land and they to pay their share of any benefits which the ditch may prove to their land, during a period of five years. After adding some land to the proposed district, the commissioners ordered the formation of the same, the freeholders to vote upon the proposition of the objectors. If they reject it, the district will not be organized." — June 19, 1931. Vote on Middle Loup drainage to decide argument. Proponents must accept agreement offered by objectors, or board will not approve formation. Result of five day hearing. Valentine Republican 44(37): 1.

These reports indicate initial efforts on draining wetlands within the county. These were initial reports. Other drainage occurred in subsequent decades, throughout the region.

• a historic land survey map shows the many wetlands historically present in the headwaters area of the North Loup River, including Jumbo and Pullman valleys
  
• a land survey map showing ditching done in southwest Cherry county by 1914
  

The following graphic indicates prominent locations where ditching has occurred in Cherry County and Grant County, which was originally studied years ago.

View Wetland Ditching, Cherry and Grant Counties, Nebraska Sandhills in a larger map.

Horseshoe Lake Flats Currently a Birdlife Mecca

The Horseshoe Lake Flats is the hottest birding place - in more ways than one considering recent temperatures - during August, along the Missouri River in east-central Nebraska.

Partially inundated crop fields with what are now rapidly decreasing levels of water, still continue to provide a haven appreciated by a great diversity of shore and water birds.

One of the most distinctive features is the number of Killdeer noted on the foggy Sunday morning, August 22. Arrival was before the sun had tinged the eastern horizon, and for a suitable time afterwards, among which would - during dryer years - be fields with crops, but have been a significant field of dreams for birding enthusiasts in pursuit of rare species, among a whole plethora of bird types. Each day is different.

Ground fog conditions prevailed on the most recent Sunday morning, the subdued light expressing subtle hues of color. Views across the lowland landscape were muted, and the stately Great Blue Herons stood grandly among the wisps. Once the glowing orb of the sun moved over the eastern horizon, light and shadows tinged the wet lands where birds were involved with the first hours of their typical routine of another day.

Loudly expressive was a horde of birds appreciating wet places for them to forage - as they have for so many days - gleaning a fine morsel among the flooded fields about the the Horseshoe Lakebed. Always vocal, they flew hither and yon, stood on the adjacent roads, interspersed on the barren, yet wet, dirt as they gleaned the neccisities for a day's diet.

On the flats, the Killdeer have been all around and ever expressive. They have been standing on the county roads, for whatever reason they deem appropriate, and taking flight upon the approach of some passing vehicle. Then they land back from whence they came, looking upon the intrusion with a woeful perspective based upon a disturbance which they would have preferred never happened. Purple Martins, as well as swallows, on the hardtop certainly have a similar perspective.

Looking closely on an August morning on Sunday, there were different places, each with their own bunch. While going back-and-forth in search of fine light, notes were kept on how many of this prevalent plover could be counted when a particular space got its own close-up through a spotting scope.

The whole variety of flats about the former Horseshoe Lake had their own expressive bunch. An overall tally from the various places among the overall locality of ca. 335 was summarized as 50, 100, 33, 85, 62, and which was certainly not a count of every killdeer. This is the largest known count - ever - for this species along the Missouri River valley in the Nebraska region - including as far south as Squaw Creek NWR. This claim is based on a review of more than 1100 records with a count, and about another few hundred where no numbers were given.

Another count of 120 at the same vicinity on August 11th, is the second highest tally known. Lesser counts were for about a hundred of this plover, when apparently not enough attention was given to denoting how many of these plovers were about. It is also highly probable that more birds have arrived from elsewhere to take advantage of the situation.

About the lowlands near Horseshoe Lake on the most recent weekend now past, there were other unique occurrences that have been reported to the birding community and created a buzz of interest sufficient to attract visits by different watchers.

A particular highlight was a Red-necked Phalarope. Urban Lehner reported it to Justin Rink as they stood around on the county road west of Boyer Chute NWR. Within their view were Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Stilt Sandpipers as well as a fine variety of other shorebirds. Even a couple of Green-winged Teal were lurking among the ephemeral wetland habitat.

There have always been a fine gathering of Great Blue Herons standing or stalking about ... their prevalent calls also distinctive to this country space.

The occurrence of new species in the area can be indicated by reviewing a composite list for waterfowl, waterbirds and shorebirds in the immediate vicinity. The following is based upon available records for the three localities. The value given is a composite total for the number observed on different occasions during previous years, except only for August 2010 at what is designated as the Horseshoe Lake Flats locality, along County Road P51 and P34, basically west of the primary area of Boyer Chute NWR. Two asterisks (**) indicate an occurrence when no count was made.

Common Name	Boyer Chute NWR	Horseshoe Lake Flats	Nathans Lake
Greater White-fronted Goose	-	-	11
Snow Goose	30	-	15
Canada Goose	10	121	40
Wood Duck	15	-	63
Gadwall	-	-	497
American Wigeon	1	-	41
Mallard	15	9	532
Blue-winged Teal	107	161	93
Northern Shoveler	5	91	50
Northern Pintail	-	-	44
Green-winged Teal	16	2	383
Canvasback	-	-	48
Redhead	-	-	3
Ring-necked Duck	-	-	163
Lesser Scaup	1	-	56
Bufflehead	-	-	6
Common Goldeneye	-	-	6
Hooded Merganser	-	-	5
Common Merganser	-	-	11
Ruddy Duck	-	-	5
Pied-billed Grebe	4	11	7
American White Pelican	325	24	2
Double-crested Cormorant	279	6	36
Least Bittern	-	-	2
Great Blue Heron	9	223	84
Great Egret	1	27	31
Cattle Egret	-	318	1
Green Heron	-	-	11
Yellow Rail	-	-	1
Virginia Rail	-	-	2
Sora	1	-	5
American Coot	63	2	172
Sandhill Crane	-	-	5
Black-bellied Plover	-	3	-
Semipalmated Plover	-	8	4
Piping Plover	-	-	1
Killdeer	5	825	23
Spotted Sandpiper	4	3	3
Solitary Sandpiper	1	2	2
Greater Yellowlegs	36	17	19
Willet	-	1	23
Lesser Yellowlegs	22	29	24
Upland Sandpiper	1	3	-
Hudsonian Godwit	-	-	2
Marbled Godwit	-	1	-
Semipalmated Sandpiper	-	-	14
Least Sandpiper	-	49	15
White-rumped Sandpiper	-	-	**
Baird's Sandpiper	-	9	**
Pectoral Sandpiper	3	73	22
Dunlin	-	-	22
Stilt Sandpiper	-	14	-
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	-	9	-
Short-billed Dowitcher	-	1	-
Long-billed Dowitcher	3	1	-
Wilson's Snipe	3	10	38
Wilson's Phalarope	34	26	2
Red-necked Phalarope	-	2	-
Ring-billed Gull	-	5	-
Least Tern	-	1	-
Black Tern	-	33	126
Common Tern	-	9	-
Forster's Tern	-	18	-

Obvious differences in occurrence are quick striking. The ephemeral water habitats of the flats have been utilized by a number of species not noted previously. The numbers for some of the species is quite dramatic as well, which readily indicate the value of the ephemeral habitat.

With at least 200 Killdeer or more present each day, for at least the past two weeks, these ground gleaners obviously find the flooded fields to their liking. Add to this the many Cattle Egrets, Great Blue Herons, sandpipers, plovers, et al. and it's very obvious that high water conditions in Washington County has created a mecca for many birds that have found a suitable place to roost, forage and otherwise occur because of finding what they need to live on. It has probably been a long time since bird survival was the prominent value of the land on the Horseshoe Lake Flats on the floodplain of the nearby Missouri River.

There is no reason this situation could not occur again, but the farming interests certainly would prefer that they get a hefty crop each year. The network of ditches to remove water are the prominent feature of the lowlands, and until an equitable mix is created, the extent of places for birds will always be lesser than greater.

Wonderful Diversity of Species

There have now been 70 species observed at this locality during August, this year. New additions during the weekend were - in addition to those already indicated - Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Gray Catbird, Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and even a couple of Ring-necked Pheasants were heard.

Some of the wet fields are drying, and will continue to do so because of temperatures in the 90s, beneath a basically cloud-free sky.

Habitat conditions are ever-changing, as is the variety and numbers of birds. It is all good and a wonder to enjoy, and appreciate. Water levels suitable for attracting this new mix of avifauna are rare occurrences.

The following is a list of species observed at the Horseshoe Lake Flats, based upon seven visits from 11 August to 22 August - by several bird watchers - as listed in a taxonomic sequence.

Canada Goose, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Pheasant, Pied-billed Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Lesser Yellowlegs, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Least Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe, Wilson's Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, Ring-billed Gull, Least Tern, Black Tern, Common Tern, Forster's Tern, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Sedge Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Common Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Dickcissel, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Common Grackle, Orchard Oriole, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

It is quite exciting to consider what other species might yet occur as autumn migration season progresses - since it is still early in the season - and how many distinctive birds may yet occur. The water habitat of the flats is slowly but steadily receding and its extent is decreasing, but the wet spaces still provide a haven on each and every day they linger.

Nebraska Office of FWS Responds to La Platte Bottoms Inquiry

On July 26th - following a July 12 phone conversation - an email was sent to the Nebraska Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, asking several questions regarding the La Platte Bottoms highway construction project. This email request included the following notation: "Note that any information sent or received may be shared on my bird news blog, in order for other people concerned with what is happening at this site, can also be kept informed." Since it was noted up front that the information would be provided on this news blog, here is the reply, received August 6, 2010 from the biologist involved with the project. The text is presented verbatim, though a few sentences not specificially pertinent to the project are not included.
It should be noted here that a Black Tern has been photographed catching fish from the waters at the La Platte Bottoms.

Response by Agency Biologist

"Background--As you know, the Bellevue Bridge project is not just construction of a bridge over the Missouri River, but also includes construction of a new 4-lane highway across the floodplain of the Missouri River from Glenwood, Iowa to Bellevue, Nebraska. The project includes construction of seven interchanges along its length. The bridge portion of the project is proposed upstream and within one-mile of the Missouri and Platte rivers confluence. The project proponent is the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) from Iowa. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) took the lead as the nonfederal project sponsor. All of our negotiations were with the FHWA and IDOT, and to a somewhat lessor degree with the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR). We spent a considerable amount of time reviewing and responding to documents prepared to support this major construction project under authorities of the National Environmental Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Endangered Species Act.

"A major concern of ours was the potential for development to occur in the Missouri River floodplain as facilitated by those seven interchanges along the new four-lane highway (i.e., indirect impacts). We reasonably expected tremendous modification to hydrologic cycles in the Missouri and Platte rivers--rivers whose hydrologic cycles already have been hugely modified through artificial means. With an increase in run-off due to the conversion of crops to concrete surfaces and roofs came major concerns for the potential for contamination of this important confluence area. The Missouri and Platte rivers confluence was previously identified in the recovery plan for the endangered pallid sturgeon as a Recovery Priority Management Area. The pallid sturgeon frequents this area in the spring as it prepares to spawn in the Platte River. Much time was spent connecting the dots to support our concerns as they relate to indirect effects and the pallid sturgeon, but we also advocated for protection and avoidance for other federal trust resources that may be impacted by the proposed construction project. You requested several items in your July 26 E-mail--I have responded to each item below.

"Bald Eagle--Protection of riparian habitat for the bald eagle was an important issue during the course of the project review because the proposed project and its associated development could result in the loss of important feeding and winter roost habitat for the species during the wintertime--this area can remain ice free during the winter. Yes- you are correct that it was listed then, but it has since been delisted. That said, however, bald eagles still receive protection under provisions of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act--we continue to work with project proponents to protect eagle nests and winter roost sites across Nebraska.

"Least Terns and Piping Plovers--I was unaware of records for terns and plovers at the LaPlatte wetlands, but I am not surprised given the nearby location of the Platte River which provides a tremendous amount of sandbar habitat for these species. The wetlands were considered when we evaluated the project effects on federally listed threatened and endangered species. The wetlands provide no nesting habitat for the least tern or piping plover. The wetlands are unlikely to provide feeding habitat for the least tern as it goes dry periodically in the summer and/or freezes solid in the winter and cannot sustain small fish. The site may provide some foraging habitat for adult piping plovers, depending on habitat conditions, but none for broods given the distance from suitable nesting habitat located on the river. Additionally, we had no information that the foot print of the proposed project would result in the loss of these wetlands although indirect impacts could be reasonably expected in the future.

"Shore birds, waterfowl, wading birds--we recognized the importance of the aforementioned wetlands and the other habitats in the confluence area to wildlife species. For that reason, we sponsored the development of the Platte and Missouri River confluence working group whose goal it is to protect habitats in the confluence area including wetlands, riverine processes and functions, and the riparian corridor. Agency and organization representatives in attendance at working group meetings were the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, American Rivers, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District, and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Others in attendance included the former Nebraska State Director for Senator Ben Nelson's Office who strongly advocated a level of protection and conservation in the confluence area. Efforts were made to identify compatible and noncompatible land uses and sources of funds to acquire land in the confluence area for conservation purposes. There was much discussion about contamination in the confluence area given the extensive commercial industrial land use in the past and the relationship of such potential contamination to land values. The area was viewed as highly developable once the Bellevue Bridge and interchanges were constructed. A Brownfield Grant was prepared and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency to fund contamination sampling--this was subsequently funded by EPA. Sampling has now been completed and we expect to receive a final survey report this Fall. The outcome of the contaminate survey report will drive land use in the area. Contaminated areas are expensive to remediate and less desirable for purchase for industrial development thereby increasing the confluence area's potential for greenspace, protection of wetlands, and conservation landuses.

"Wetland Mitigation Site--I am familiar with the mitigation site you mentioned in your E-mail--it is the Oreapolis mitigation site. The mitigation site is located near a railway as you point out in your E-mail--we recognize there are some drawbacks with this--primarily disturbance from passing trains. Even so, I think the positive items about the site outweigh the drawbacks. The site is located on a level portion of the floodplain--a site that may be desirable to developers because it is level requiring little dirt work and is located between two river highway crossings (new Plattsmouth and Bellevue bridges) simplifying transportation needs. The site is located within one-mile of the Schilling Wildlife Management area and even closer to a river front property to the north where the private landowners previously expressed an interest in a perpetual conservation easement. The Oreapolis mitigation site is a good addition to these existing areas and helps to enlarge the complex area that includes the Platte and Missouri rivers confluence that is important to the Platte and Missouri river confluence working group as discussed above.

"Migratory Birds--We provide recommendations to project proponents to avoid impacts to migratory birds. Our first recommendation is to do clearing and grubbing outside of the nesting season. If that is not possible, we recommend that surveys for active nests be done by qualified surveyors and that any active nests be avoided. I have no indication that the FHWA, IDOT, and NDOR will not complete such surveys--or follow our recommendations on how to stay in compliance with MBTA. Our recommendations have been discussed frequently with these organizations for several different projects, including the proposed Bellevue Bridge project."

Water Features Prominent Aspect of Holt County Landscape

Water related features are a prominent landscape feature of southwestern Holt County, Nebraska. Their extent is obvious in looking at topographic maps of the region.

There are headwaters creeks which eventually flow into the Elkhorn River. Lakes and wetlands abound. And within the entire scene are a myriad of flowing wells, where water gushes from the sandy substrate and create flows which contribute to the watery conditions.

Map graphic showing prominent water-related features of southwestern Holt County. Information derived from topographic maps. Image Copyright 2010 J.E. Ducey, all rights reserved.

Amongst this region, is Amelia, a tiny hamlet with a few residents. The place is known for its flowing waters, as expressed in a January 1998 article issued by the Associated Press, and published in the Norfolk Daily News. A portion of that article is given here:

"Regardless of the ebb and flow of population, one thing about Amelia was constant: The community had plenty of water, thanks to the existence of hundreds of free-flowing artesian wells.

"Water from these wells is relatively pure, said Dennis Schueth, manager of the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District.

"Free-flowing wells are created when a well is drilled to a point where the water pressure is so great that water is forced out at the surface. Normal deaths range from 50 to 100 feet.

"But in the Amelia area that depth ranges from ground level to less than 15 feet, Schueth said.

Flowing wells in the immediate vicinity of Amelia, eastern sandhills of Holt County.

"Adair," [Allen Adair, Amelia's unofficial mayor], "said history books of the 1950s cited Amelia as having the purest water in the world.

"Somebody should be selling it," he told the Norfolk Daily News.

"Back in the sodbuster days, people did. When Amelia's postmaster made his three-day, 26-mile journey to retrieve the mail in O'Neill, he hauled gallons of Amelia water to Moses P. Kincaid, the congressman and lawyer whose legislation was responsible for settling the Nebraska frontier.

"The wells run for years without drying up and maintain a temperature around 52 degrees. Winter cold doesn't freeze them, and summer heat doesn't warm them.

"On the county road running past Amelia is an old water fountain that gurgles with clear drinking water. The well was dug about 80 years ago and is still going strong, Peterson said.

"A person walking the streets of Amelia hears the sounds typical of a rural town -- barking dogs, the motors of passing cars, the leaves rustling from the trees and the Nebraska wind.

"But one also will hear water -- trickling, rushing and flowing. More than 20 wells flow into the canals that line the dirt streets, Adair said."

Flowing fountain at Amelia. Picture taken 12 May 2007.

Water is not only a feature about the community of Amelia, but occurs throughout the region, apparent on the surface at lakes known as Dora, Lizard, Cottonwood, East, West, Gold, Lambs, Overton, Long, Swan, Willow and Chain Lakes. With so much water about, some places are known as Maurice Lakebed or Grass Lakebed since they are now drained to provide meadows where the grass can be cut to supply a season's hay crop. A few more lakes occur in the area to the south, in Garfield County.

There is also a plethora of flowing wells. Topographic maps of the U.S. Geological Survey show their extent and how wide-spread they are. The are indicated by a the words "flowing wells" and occur at more than 25 different places.

Around Amelia, there are at least nine indicated, along with other wetland features, including a lake area just to the east.

Besides that fountain at Amelia, there is a spout in a small local lake, bubbling forth as an ongoing, seemingly ever-lasting supply to the lake where the waters nourish other life.

There is also Keegan Creek, Dry Creek, Holt Creek and other flow channels which are forks of the Elkhorn River. Some flows southward as Big Cedar Creek. These channels might nourish a wet meadow or simply transport the water onward as it flows away from this region of the eastern sandhills.

Obviously a plethora of water from the groundwater aquifer occurs in this area, and it is perhaps the most prominent aspect of the landscape.

Two of the most predominant features of the southwest portion of Holt County can be simply described: sandhills and water.

Designated wetlands in the vicinity of Swan Lake, which is at the lower right of the image. Wetlands are indicated by green and blue, and the type indicated by the alphabetic code. Information from www.nationalmap.gov.

Designated wetlands in the vicinity of Amelia, in the lower center of the image, with Swan Lake at the lower left.

Discussion Points - Highway 34 and Bellevue Bridge

While considering what is going to happen at the La Platte Bottoms because of an expansion of U.S. Highway 34 and an addition of a new bridge south of Bellevue, the following items came to mind, so it seemed appropriate to record and share them with the very few forward-thinking or concerned people that may actually care about what happens at this place. We are a minority, but we still do strive to protect a place for our feathered friends, as they have no advocate, and government agencies will ignore those without a voice. Many others are mute, and uncaring about what will be foisted upon a place so important to wetland bird-life at this most-important place in the Missouri River valley.

Highway Bridge

Was the alternative of replacing the bridges at Bellevue and Plattsmouth considered as a project alternative? Why is a completely new highway required? Two bridges can be built at a much lesser cost than a completely new highway of many miles.

Cultural Impact

The Platte River received it name more than 27 decades ago, when French explorers floated past the site while on a journey which included a traverse down the Missouri River. The moniker, is possibly the first modern-era name ever mentioned in recognizing the geography of the current state of Nebraska. This cultural significance was not found in any manner in the final EIS, as prepared by staff - and other ancillary agencies - of the two transportation state agencies which want to build a bridge less than a half-mile away from this point of such a dramatic importance.

Rather than having something which resembles the original condition, though only slightly, this road project would make the predominant feature a bridge and highway, with vehicular noise, its obstructions across the northern horizon and no consideration of how the preeminent feature could give attention to history instead of development. The sound of the river's flow should be what would be heard at this place, rather than the endless drone of semis, truck and cars.

The Nebraska Historical Society didn't mention this aspect, only considering cultural sites where native people may have been present for a sufficient time for relicts to occur.

Apparently the Back to the River organization is concerned with the conservation of the land where the Platte River empties into the Missouri. BTTR seems to not be currently involved with any considerations at this locality, based upon current communications of inquiry.

Wetland Impacts

The Army Corps of Engineer permit for this project - recently issued - addresses an impact of only 4.97 acres - based upon their legal definitions, so the Nebraska Department of Roads considers that this is the entire amount of wetland for which they need to mitigate. Yet, an Iowa Department of Transportation document specifically denotes that more than 16 acres will be filled, based upon a detailed map available online and ancillary documentation.

This map does not even indicate additional wetlands present in 2010, when water conditions are optimal - for birds and related wetland features.

The Corps is using the lowest possible value, and this is what mitigation decisions were being based upon, in a manner ignorant of an apparent reality when unmoving levels of water provide a great haven for birds, among aquatic vegetation, and in an enduring manner. It seems that defined law supersedes reality.

When there is standing water, wetland vegetation and water dependent birds present, the place is a wetland, yet the actual extent of the marsh at the La Platte Bottoms is being minimized in comparison to the place being appreciated and enjoyed by birds and birders during the summer of 2010.

Only direct impacts have been considered. Yet, what is the effect on adjacent wetland habitat of placing a multi-lane highway directly through a larger extent of wetland. Enclosing a bit of wetland by a multi-lane highway or access road will certainly diminish the value of a tiny bit of wetland squeezed between the two. But since the bit of land is not directly filled - or "impacted" in the government lingo - this is not even considered.

If the project proponents do not have a permit for any and all wetland filling, their project cannot proceed.

Impacts to the Saint Mary's Bend Wildlife Area

The proposed alignment from Interstate-29 in Iowa will cut through the southern portion of the St. Mary's Island mitigation site. This tract was specifically bought and established in order to protect fish and wildlife. A highway is not in any appropriate for a tract which was supposed to be a haven for wildlife.

Any easement or property addition will not mitigate for the impact of having a highway bisecting the tract. The value of this site for wildlife will be dramatically reduced once a highway becomes the prominent feature of the site.

Why can't the alignment go north of the Iske Park Residential Area, with more highway placed upon the Saint Mary's Bend Mitigation Site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already sanctioned a roadway through the place, so why not use this place of former cropland as the highway right-of-way, instead of imposing the thing upon a relict wetland.

This possibility was also not considered by any of the project developers.

Migratory Birds

Wetlands at the La Platte Bottoms have been used repeatedly by the Least Tern, a threatened species, yet this particular bird foraging use at the site was not mentioned in any manner by the environmental impact statement, though its potential nesting along the Platte was considered.

The EIS did not recognize how more than 130 species of birds occur and have used the project site during the past 25 years, and undoubtedly many previous years.

The economic value of the site for the myriad of migratory birds - with an obvious valuation exceeding $2 million - was not considered when the environmental review was done.

The appreciation and importance of the La Platte Bottoms to birders of the region was not considered in any manner by the draft, or final EIS. This facet should have been among the items addressed, yet has not been.

Not even the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials considered this. Apparently they were ignorant of these facts - which would seemingly be their responsibility as "professional biologists" to be aware of - yet there is no mention in the final EIS of the bird species diversity and how its occurrence will be altered by having a highway through their habitat.

Information on bird occurrence is readily available, based on contributions by a variety of people whom have posted comments on the NEBirds forum.

One of the best features of the current La Platte Bottoms setting, is that anyone can enjoy the birds. You could walk there from La Platte. Most people do drive there, and are able to see, or hear - without any background noise, from a passing train, for example - the species spending time in the marsh. And this can be done from the current roadway, without having to make a hike. This makes the setting especially appropriate for everyone, including someone who may have limited mobility, yet can easily watch from their vehicle, for as long as they may want to appreciate the birds, the dragonflies or any of the other features of nature at this unique place, which can never been replaced.

Oreapolis Mitigation Site

The northern edge of the proposed mitigation site is bordered along its entire northern extent by a dual-track railroad right-of-way. The noise and disturbance are negative impacts which have not been considered in any manner in documents concerning the mitigation site.

There is no indication that there will be public access to the tract, as there is a roadway only on the western extent of the site, and it has not be mentioned in any project documents, whether this is a public right-of-way.

Without any vehicular access, the wildlife observation values of the tract for people with mobility challenges, could not drive up to the place, and watch the birds and other bits of nature from their vehicles. They can now do this at the La Platte Bottoms.

Summary

Officials of the state agencies responsible for this project have said that some of the issues mentioned above were not considered because "no one told us" during the public hearings or expressed these comments in any manner while project planning was underway.

This is not a valid reason for these items not having been considered. It is the responsibility of agency staff - including people working for the Iowa Department of Transportation, Nebraska Department of Roads, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - to consider any and all pertinent details.

Yet, based upon a cursory review of available documentation, this did not occur. Each of the above mentioned items are not directly and specifically included among the topics within the many pages of government documents which supposedly were prepared in a manner meant to review and consider the various factors involved with building a highway south of Bellevue.

Only when the above items are recognized, considered, and addressed, should this project move forward! The pending construction of a mega-highway is now being looked upon by people who care as a boondoggle designed in a careless manner without any concern for important natural values.

Considering Issues - Highway Construction at La Platte Bottoms

The following two emails were sent June 21, 2010, with copies also sent to the local press and bird discussion group. Images shown are from the various government documents associated with the Highway 34 - Bellevue Bridge project, developed by the Iowa Department of Transportation and Nebraska Department of Roads.

Authorization of Placing Fill in Wetlands

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for authorizing the filling of wetlands. According to a ACE officials, a permit was recently issued that provides authorization for impacting 4.97 acres. Yet according to this document online there will be more acres filled than that allowed by this particular permit. This discrepancy was the reason that the following email was sent to an ACE official.

"Since the attached document - dated April 2009 and issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation - indicates that there will be more than 4.87 acres of wetlands impacted by the Highway 34 Bridge and roadway, when will the Nebraska Department of Roads or Iowa Department of Transportation be applying for a permit to allow them to fill the additional acreage?

"According to the 404 regulations, as I understand them, only those acres for which a permit is issued could be filled. As the project proponents only have authorization for 4.87 acres through a completed permit process, yet something like 15 acres in Nebraska will be filled as the document indicates, the project cannot proceed as they are not authorized to fill more than 4.87 acres of wetlands.

"If any further fill would be needed, they would need to get a permit, and I request that the entity responsible for the project go through the entire application process for any fill required for the additional acreage. When this occurs, I would specifically ask that a public meeting be held in order that the people impacted by the destruction of wetlands at the site, be given an opportunity to voice their opinions."

The following graphic indicates the "impacted wetlands" as defined in 2007.

This is a graphic of the impacted wetlands as indicated in July 2009. Note the obvious increase in the extent of the designated wetlands to be filled.

It is also obvious that additional wetland acres will be affected, though they may not be directly filled, or impacted in government lingo. Their will be little value, if any for the bits of wetland between the constructed bridge ramps, and as any birds at these places could be readily hit by passing vehicles, there should not be any wetland habitat kept at these spots.

Railroad Track at Mitigation Site

This is a copy of an email sent to personnel at the Nebraska Department of Roads.

"I am writing to ask how a wetland mitigation site could be selected that is bounded on its entire north side by a railroad right-of-way, that is regularly and consistently used?

"Birds make essential use of any wetlands and having the ongoing disturbance of passing trains would have a dramatic impact on the value of the tract as an undisturbed place for migratory species including birds and other wildlife.

"Having train traffic would also make the place less than appealing for anyone that might want to come to the sight to observe visiting birds. The noise would make it very difficult if not impossible to listen for the calls or songs of birds which might be present. Just ask bird watchers at the Fontenelle Forest bottoms what they think of the train traffic.

"It seems obvious, from a birder's perspective, that this is not a suitable mitigation site, based on its potential value for wild birds.

Did the Fish and Wildlife Service provide any input into the selection of this mitigation site? It would seem that having a major railroad track present would have been an indication to select some more suitable site.

"The Nebraska Department of Roads needs to realize their extent of their mistake in selecting this site, and not move ahead with any effort to develop a mitigation site at Oreapolis. When will your agency deal with this error?"

The following is a figure which indicates the site of the proposed wetland mitigation.
Note the RR tracks on the north side, with a passing train along the entire stretch of the proposed mitigation site. Also note that the eastern portion of the area does not have vehicular access, which a primary value for the La Platte Bottoms, where people with mobility challenges can readily park along the road and watch the bird action in the marsh. The vehicular access at Oreapolis is limited to the western portion, and it is not known whether or not this is even a public access road.

A Pictorial Memorial of a June Day at La Platte Bottoms

With sunny skies to start the summer's day, a visit was made to the La Platte Bottoms on June 18th. It was a fine morning to get a look at one the last June days for this place, which will soon be dramatically changed with the construction of a huge highway and an equally imposing interchange and access roads.

View to the southwest.	View to the south.
A southerly view.	A view to the southeast.
A view to the northwest, from the west side of Harlan Lewis Drive.	A view to the northwest, from La Platte Road, east of Harlan Lewis Drive.
A view of the crop field on the west side of Harlan Lewis Drive.	A view of the wetland area on the south side of La Platte Road, showing the La Platte water tower in the background.

The Interstate-type highway alignment as developed and approved by bureaucrats, will slice right through the middle of the best wetland spot at this locale.

The 21 species noted in the early morning visit were: Canada Goose (2 observed), Wood Duck (2), Mallard (4), Hooded Merganser (2), Wild Turkey (1 heard in the woods to the south), Pied-billed Grebe (5), Great Blue Heron (4), Great Egret (4), American Coot (2), Killdeer (a minimal count of 8), Least Tern (1), Mourning Dove (1), Eastern Kingbird (2), Blue Jay (1 heard in the nearby woods), Cliff Swallow (a minimal number of 15), American Robin (2 heard in the nearby woods), Dickcissel (2), Red-winged Blackbird (10, and more), Eastern Meadowlark (1), Yellow-headed Blackbird (1), and Common Grackle (at least 20).

The egrets and herons were probably after some of the numerous frogs present.

Lots of dragon flies were along the wetland's edge.

A grackle that was found dead along the county road. It was probably struck by a motor vehicle, and shows what happens a bird at a wetland split by a road.

This was the final view of the morning, showing the storm clouds moving in from the northwest. It seemed to be an apt metaphor for the impending, dark changes which will be occurring at this place.

R.I.P. La Platte Bottoms.

The La Platte Bottoms on June 18, 2010. View looking west.

La Platte Bottoms a Known Bird Haven for Three Decades

A bit of crop-land on the west side of the Missouri River and south of the Big Papillion Creek, which again and again has pools of standing water is a recognized haven for migratory birds, in Sarpy County, Nebraska. Its importance is profoundly indicated by the extent of notable sightings derived from bird-watchers that have visited the place, again and again in the past three decades.

During the present spring season of 2010 at the La Platte Bottoms - flooded cropland along La Platte Road, about 1.5 kilometers east of the hamlet with the same name - there has been another great variety of species noted by different people, and these observations continue to indicate the importance of the site for a multitude of migratory birds.

Because of the current visits and ongoing interest in the place, it seemed appropriate to consider its importance in the context of bird history, and to present some historic details of species' occurrence.

View of a portion of the flooded cropland along La Platte Road. View to the north. All photographs taken May 22, 2010.

Three Decades of Bird History

The first prominent bird sighting at this place was more than three decades ago, and the interest in species using the habitat has not waned in any way.

There was much less of an interest in the early years of the site's modern history, but there is a great extent of details of the migratory fowl passing through, or perhaps remaining for the summer breeding season in recent history.

Though there are a couple of bird records for this locality from 1928 - attributable to outings of local hunt club out of Omaha - the history for the modern era starts three decades ago, with the report of a European wigeon (now Eurasian Wigeon) seen and closely studied by Ruth Green in late March, 1980. There were other waterfowl present, though they were not noted in her report issued in the Nebraska Bird Review, which presented the specific details essential to a proper identification for the rare occurrence of this particular duck.

Subsequently, Neal Ratzlaff visited on May 26, 1984 and had a fine list of species. His personal records, indicate the origin for the modern era of surveys that have noted the variety of species and the number present during many times of the year when water was prevalent.

It was "common knowledge" that this locale "was a good place to look for shorebirds," Ratzlaff said in May 2010. His first visit to the site was because of the shorebirds which could be seen, and which he recorded in his personal account of species seen here and there.

Many other bird watchers have since made their way to the bottoms, and the records available indicate the interest which may has varied during the times, but is indicative of the diversity which occurs, depending upon habitat conditions.

These are the number of records from the locality, in the modern era (based upon a terse review):

• 1980 - 1 known record
• 1984 - 14 records
• 1986 - 1
• 1993 - 79

  Roland Barth, provides an interesting historic perspective on the locality:

  "La Platte Bottoms was coined in the 'modern era.' I remember the search for a name well, and I believe it was given after a very productive birding migration in the fall of 1993. I'm sure the records of others will also reflect that the fields were flooded in late August 1993 and a lot of 'good' birds were seen there. I myself had 13 county birds in just a few days in late August, 1993. At that time, the best birding was in the flooded fields west of the intersection. We had to park just off the paved, relatively busy road. Some of us got chased away a few times by the Sheriff for unsafe stopping/parking. But the key point is that La Platte Bottoms is also a great place to see birds during the fall migration, in the years when those fields are flooded."

• 1994 - 32
• 1995 - 1
• 1996 - 40
• 1997 - 35
• 1998 - 164
• 1999 - 8
• 2001 - 61
• 2002 - 9
• 2007 - 46
• 2008 - 72
• 2009 - 17
• 2010 - ca. 175

More notable records will originate from the La Platte Bottoms, with further consideration of historic contributions and as conditions continue to create the a situation suitable for birds, which is a great attraction for birders interested in knowing what is present.

"It was always fun and amazing to see what could be found there," said Ratzlaff, whose had been a member of the local chapter of the Audubon Society for many years.

Bird Diversity

A great variety of species are known to occur at the La Platte flats west of the Missouri River and south of the Papillion Creek. More than 125 species have been documented by a dedicated cadre of watchers, based on an evaluation of more than 750 records from online bird forums, published notes and birder records. The following is a tally of the species seen, with the value indicating the number of the species which were noted.

Common Name	1984	1985	1986	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2001	2002	2007	2008	2009	2010
Greater White-fronted Goose	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	32
Snow Goose	-	-	-	-	30	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Canada Goose	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Wood Duck	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18	-	-	-	-	13	-	8
Gadwall	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	12
American Wigeon	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20
Mallard	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	3	-	-	-	-	0	-	0
Blue-winged Teal	0	-	-	-	-	-	12	-	170	-	2	-	0	0	-	149
Blue-winged Teal x Cinnamon Teal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Northern Shoveler	0	-	-	-	6	-	-	-	10	-	5	-	19	-	-	381
Northern Pintail	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
Green-winged Teal	0	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	28
Redhead	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15
Ring-necked Duck	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	25
Lesser Scaup	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	80
Bufflehead	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Hooded Merganser	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	6	-	-	7
Red-breasted Merganser	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	45
Ruddy Duck	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	8	-	-
Wild Turkey	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
Northern Bobwhite	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-
Pied-billed Grebe	0	-	-	6	-	-	-	2	22	-	0	-	2	9	-	7
Horned Grebe	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4
Eared Grebe	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
American White Pelican	-	-	-	-	150	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-
Double-crested Cormorant	-	-	-	-	300	-	-	25	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Least Bittern	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	8	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
Great Blue Heron	-	-	-	2	-	-	10	-	22	-	2	-	4	198	-	1
Great Egret	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	-	2	35	-	-
Snowy Egret	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Cattle Egret	-	-	-	111	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	3	10	-	1
Green Heron	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	3	-	-	-	-	-	-
Black-crowned Night-Heron	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	1	-	-
Turkey Vulture	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Osprey	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Bald Eagle	-	-	-	-	76	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
Sharp-shinned Hawk	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Cooper's Hawk	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Broad-winged Hawk	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Swainson's Hawk	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Red-tailed Hawk	-	-	3	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
American Kestrel	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Peregrine Falcon	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	1
Sora	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	1
Common Moorhen	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	17	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
American Coot	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	30	1	4	-	65	53	-	242
Black-bellied Plover	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5
American Golden-Plover	-	8	-	31	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	3
Semipalmated Plover	-	1	-	3	-	-	5	-	-	-	4	-	1	-	-	17
Piping Plover	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-
Killdeer	0	-	-	51	10	-	55	36	121	-	13	-	-	140	-	3
American Avocet	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	240
Spotted Sandpiper	-	-	-	4	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	2	1	-	3
Solitary Sandpiper	-	-	-	3	-	-	11	-	2	-	-	-	-	6	-	-
Greater Yellowlegs	-	-	-	3	-	-	1	-	-	-	1	-	-	4	1	156
Willet	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	6
Lesser Yellowlegs	-	2	-	7	-	-	12	-	18	-	5	-	1	39	1	289
Upland Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	7	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-
Hudsonian Godwit	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5	-	-	-	1	12
Ruddy Turnstone	1	7	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-
Sanderling	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3	-	1
Semipalmated Sandpiper	-	0	-	70	-	-	5	-	-	-	29	-	30	11	63	405
Least Sandpiper	-	0	-	14	-	-	10	1	-	-	-	-	10	25	9	536
White-rumped Sandpiper	-	0	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	100	-	170	-	-	516
Baird's Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	2	-	3	-	-	-	3	-	-	14	10	218
Pectoral Sandpiper	0	-	-	138	-	-	31	5	16	-	-	-	-	28	1	201
Dunlin	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	7	-	5	1	2	13
Stilt Sandpiper	-	10	-	15	-	-	-	-	-	-	16	-	10	3	-	-
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	15	-	-	4	-	-
Short-billed Dowitcher	-	10	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	8	-	4
Long-billed Dowitcher	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	5	94
Wilson's Snipe	-	-	-	11	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	31
Wilson's Phalarope	-	-	-	6	4	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	5	-	30	601
Red-necked Phalarope	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	1	-	-	-
Franklin's Gull	-	-	-	4	1	-	-	-	37	-	15	-	31	-	-	87
Ring-billed Gull	-	-	-	-	22	-	-	29	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Least Tern	2	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	1
Black Tern	-	-	-	2	-	-	3	-	3	-	78	-	100	40	-	25
Forster's Tern	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Rock Pigeon	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mourning Dove	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Common Nighthawk	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	4	-	-
Chimney Swift	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Belted Kingfisher	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Red-headed Woodpecker	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
Downy Woodpecker	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Eastern Wood-Pewee	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Eastern Phoebe	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Western Kingbird	-	-	-	1	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Eastern Kingbird	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	1	-
Blue Jay	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Horned Lark	-	-	-	-	10	-	-	40	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	2
Purple Martin	-	-	-	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Tree Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	-	-	-	-	10
Bank Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	3	-	10	-	-	5
Cliff Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	42	-	80	50	-	55
Barn Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	35
Black-capped Chickadee	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Marsh Wren	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Eastern Bluebird	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
American Robin	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	17	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
European Starling	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Yellow Warbler	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	2	-	-	-	-	-
Common Yellowthroat	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	1	-	-	-	-	-
American Tree Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Chipping Sparrow	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Vesper Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	14
Lark Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-
Savannah Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Song Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Harris's Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	6	-	-
Dark-eyed Junco	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	13	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Lapland Longspur	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	208	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Northern Cardinal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Blue Grosbeak	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Indigo Bunting	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Dickcissel	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	-	1	-	-	-	-	1
Red-winged Blackbird	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	5
Eastern Meadowlark	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Western Meadowlark	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Yellow-headed Blackbird	0	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	41	7	1	-	-	2	-	2
Common Grackle	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	13	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3
Great-tailed Grackle	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	4	-	-	6	-	-
Brown-headed Cowbird	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	60	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Orchard Oriole	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	4	-	-
American Goldfinch	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
House Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Among this variety there are the breeding species, which notably include the Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Wood Duck. There is also a nearby Great Blue Heron rookery, and there were 45 - mostly young - present on July 8, 2008, according to a report by Clem Klaphake.

A view of the La Platte Bottoms, showing some wetland vegetation on the south side of the road.

Spring 2010

The first report of bird activity at the locale was by Babs and Loren Padelford, for March 11, when several types of waterfowl were present. Additional species were present on March 28, according to the report by Justin Rink.

During April-May 2010, there was a much greater interest in activity at the wetlands, and there are a number of notable times when the birds were closely watched. A notable diversity of species that were present attracted a diverse group of observers, which submitted their observations, with a characteristic variety of detail.

"This year has been very good," said Loren Padelford, who has visited the site numerous times for more than 25 years, along with Babs Padelford, his wife. There has been "more water in 2010, than during a number of recent years" which means it has been a "very good place to see shorebirds and waterfowl."

A summary of the sightings for these two months is presented in the following table, according to Julian Date. The values shown, are the number noted by the different observers. A zero indicates the species was observed, but the number present was not recorded. There were at least 60 species recorded during these two months, as shown in the following table.

Common Name	91	92	94	96	98	99	100	101	102	103	111	120	121	122	125	128	131	132	133	142
Greater White-fronted Goose	-	-	-	-	-	-	12	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Wood Duck	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
Gadwall	12	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
American Wigeon	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mallard	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	-	-
Blue-winged Teal	35	-	-	-	-	50	-	-	0	0	-	-	-	0	0	62	-	-	-	2
Blue-winged Teal x Cinnamon Teal	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Northern Shoveler	70	-	-	-	-	300	-	-	0	0	-	-	-	0	-	10	-	-	-	-
Northern Pintail	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Green-winged Teal	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Hooded Merganser	-	-	4	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Pied-billed Grebe	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	1	-	-	-	2
Horned Grebe	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	2	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Eared Grebe	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Great Blue Heron	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Snowy Egret	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Cattle Egret	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Turkey Vulture	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-
Bald Eagle	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Peregrine Falcon	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-
Sora	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
American Coot	200	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	-	-	0	40	-	-	-	2
Black-bellied Plover	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	4	-
American Golden-Plover	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Semipalmated Plover	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	15	-	-	1	-	-
Killdeer	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	2
American Avocet	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	233	3	-	-	4	-	-	-	-
Spotted Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	0	2
Greater Yellowlegs	8	-	15	2	35	-	15	12	0	60	8	-	0	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Willet	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-
Lesser Yellowlegs	-	-	13	1	50	1	5	-	0	30	27	50	0	0	100	2	1	-	8	1
Hudsonian Godwit	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	5	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	3	-
Sanderling	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
Semipalmated Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	400	5	0	-	0	3
Least Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	500	30	0	6	0	3
White-rumped Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	500	15	0	1	-	10
Baird's Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	7	-	1	10	-	-	-	200	-	-	-	0	5
Pectoral Sandpiper	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	200	-	-	-	-	9
Dunlin	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	10	2	-	9
Short-billed Dowitcher	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	-
Long-billed Dowitcher	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	40	40	-	14	-	-	-	-	-
Wilson's Snipe	-	-	-	5	-	1	3	2	-	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Wilson's Phalarope	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	200	100	0	200	-	-	21	80	-
Franklin's Gull	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	80	-	1	6	-	-
Least Tern	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Black Tern	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	25	-	2
Mourning Dove	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Western Kingbird	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
Horned Lark	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-
Tree Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	-	-	-	-
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	-	-	-	-
Bank Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5	-	-	-	-
Cliff Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	50	-	-	-	5
Barn Swallow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	35	-	-	-	-
American Robin	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
Vesper Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	14	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Savannah Sparrow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Dickcissel	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Red-winged Blackbird	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	4
Eastern Meadowlark	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Yellow-headed Blackbird	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Common Grackle	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3

Birders that contributed the sightings to compile this list, include Elliott Bedows, Clem Klaphake during multiple visits, Brian Hula, Loren and Babs Padelford during their ongoing bird watching legacy in Nebraska, Justin Rink being there again and again, Matthew C. Sittel and Jerry Toll. The tally includes the fine variety of species noted on Saturday the 8th of May, during the Sarpy County Spring Bird Count. This site was also visited in conjunction with a bird class taught by Klaphake.

Importance for Wildbirds

The La Platte Bottoms are a place which is obviously important a myriad of birds during the different seasons. In particular, species of conservation concern that utilize the flats include the Piping Plover and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, as well as a great variety of other distinctive species, including godwits, the Common Moorhen, the unforgetable shorebirds, Least Tern, and others of no lesser significance.

There are several reasons to recognize this site as an important birding area, and to undertake efforts to manage the land for the benefit of migratory wildfowl, including:

• Importance in the history of Nebraska's ornithology;
• Variety of species which may occur, including several species which are the focus of conservation efforts;
• Large number of birds which can occur at a particular time;
• Status as one of the best shorebird watching areas in east-central Nebraska;
• Being readily accessible to a large population which includes a number of birders; and
• A wonderfully suitable setting that makes it easy for anyone to observe the birdlife present, with access available any time during the year as there is an all-season road on the edge of the site.

With the history indicated thus far, the reasons will only be reinforced by future observations.

Looking Ahead

The La Platte Bottoms are a prominent attraction for birds and the people which watch them, and both would readily appreciate if the place was managed for the benefit of migrating brds rather than a crop of corn or soybeans.

"It would be great if it could be managed for shorebirds and waterfowl," said Justin Rink, a birder from Omaha, whom has seen many notable species at this place. Having water present each year would be better than the "fuddles" which occur ever 2-3 years. The bottoms are "like a terminal," Rink said. "There can be an interesting variety one hour, but a short time later" the number of species can be different. When the conditions are good, "it is one of the best areas" to observe shorebirds in the Bellevue-Omaha area, along the Missouri River.

"A lot of people would enjoy" the site if it was managed for birds, said Ratzlaff, noting that the place is easily accessible to a lot of people in the Bellevue-Omaha metro area.

"It would be outstanding if this site could be acquired and maintained as a wetland" habitat for birds, Padelford also said. "It is particularly important as it occurs near the confluence of the Missouri River and Platte River," along the Missouri Valley flyway. The portion which is the best for birds, is on the south side of La Platte Road, he said.

One concern is how the planned construction of a Highway 34 bridge across the river, to connect with Highway 75, would change the situation at the site. The right-of-way for this multi-lane thoroughfare would be just south of the Papillion Creek, and would dramatically alter the current rural scene.

Bridge construction is scheduled to start in 2011, according to a Nebraska Department of Roads website, which includes a diagram of where the bridge and roadway will be constructed.

There is another alternative that might ensure the bottoms are an attraction for birds and birders for many years into the future.

This setting is very similar to Langdon Bend WMA, which is a mitigation site established by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and where berms were created and pumps provided to create water conditions suitable for a variety of bird species which migrate along the Missouri River, in Nemaha County, Nebraska. The place is managed to benefit local wildlife.

The same opportunity is available at the La Platte Bottoms, and only needs to be realized through a cooperative project that would be working to conserve important bird habitats for future times.

View of La Platte Bottoms, looking south from La Platte Road.