Battle Creek WFPO project extended for another year

BATTLE CREEK, Neb. -- The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District has another year to find a viable option for Battle Creek's Watershed Flood Prevention Operations. 

Board Directors can breathe slightly easier after the Natural Resource Conservation Service granted another extension to their contract.

The LENRD will now have until April 1, 2024, to find a WFPO project that meets a cost-benefit ratio.

While the board has given themselves more time to find a solution, sentiments are still strong from their audience which seemed divided on what should be done. 

Thursday's meeting saw two camps of speakers, landowners who don't want a dam built and residents who want to see more progress being made. 

Those against the dam said they support the city receiving flood protection. However, they believe a dam is not the best option for the region.

John Dittrich echoed this, saying 26 landowners had signed a letter saying they would not willingly sell land for such a project. 

"Landowners who say there are better options, are not against doing something for Battle Creek," Dittrich said. "There's better options, there are more logical options, more favorable options to all the taxpayers. We think there's a better alternative and that's the levee and detention center." 

One Battle Creek resident, Curtis Borchers, echoed a much different sentiment. Borchers expressed his frustration with the board and landowners, who he said despite them saying they want to help, in his opinion showed the opposite. 

"A motion gets presented to the board which could further the cause...and some of the board members vote against it," Borchers said. "Board members have come out and said they can't consider any options that include a dam. Yet, you're paying...an engineering firm that is telling you that might be one of the most viable options. I think if you really wanted to help Battle Creek you have to be open-minded enough to consider all the options." 

The LENRD took no action on Thursday as it was a sub-committee meeting.