BATTLE CREEK, Neb. -- After much discussion, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District decided to table the decision to complete their Battle Creek study.

Thursday saw the continued discussion of the Battle Creek Watershed Flood Prevention Operations study. After receiving a deadline extension on the project, board members looked at a motion that would complete their WFPO study.

By combining their pre-existing study with their alternative study, LENRD would meet all the requirements for submission. Doing so would cost the district $351,182. Completing the study would not mean a project would be approved, rather, would allow the board to vote on whether or not to go forward with the study's determined project.

However, some board members felt uneasy about approving the study. Board member Matt Steffen made a motion to table the discussion until the next meeting. Steffan said he felt uncomfortable approving a study he feels he would vote against later down the road. 

"I can't vote for a dam using that much eminent domain," Steffen said. "I don't know if I want to vote to spend $350,000 and I'm still going vote against that."

Chad Korth, a board member in favor of getting the study done, pondered the decision to table the study, asking who would table the decision at their next meeting. Director Melissa Temple questioned what there was to think about that couldn't be answered at that meeting, reminding the board they had only until April 2024 to get the study approved by NCRS. 

The motion to table was passed in a 10-5 vote. Those in favor of tabling were directors Rod Zohner, Jerry Allemann, Jim Aschoff, Mark Burenheide, Scott Clausen, Kris Loberg, Gary Loftis, Jay Reikofski, Matt Steffen, and Roger Gustafson. Those against were Melissa Temple, Chad Korth, Mark Hall, Michael Fleer, and Anthony Wisnieski. LENRD's next meeting will be a committee meeting on May 11. The board will be unable to vote on any motion during this meeting.