NORFOLK, Neb. -- The last big flood in Battle Creek was in 2019, for the last 6 years there has been discussion for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District to approve a plan to ease flooding concerns. 

The plan is to build a dam and levee in and around Battle Creek to hopefully remove FEMA's flood-prone area classification.

During Thursday's Committee of the whole meeting, board members were able to discuss with the public one last time before going to a vote to approve the plan.

General Manager Brian Bruckner says the next step is getting board approval on the 22nd.

"So if the board were to adopt that plan, approve that plan, that would mean that there is a viable option available, that the LENRD can work with the City of Battle Creek to potentially consider moving to the next step," Bruckner said. "This is a multi-year multi-step process. That would mean that if the board approves this, that the planning is done for this option."

The project is expected to cost over $56 million. After getting help from federal funds, officials expect the LENRD to will need to pay about $7 million and the city of Battle Creek covering $3 million.

The board will have to consider the public's comments on if this is the right option financially and if two levees would make more sense.

If the plan does get approved no funding will be required yet, the plan does still have to go through a request process then get approved again by the board to ask for funding.